On January 19, 1928, President Calvin Coolidge signed into law a bill that authorized a second judgeship for the District, with the proviso that when the existing judgeship (held by Judge Wade) becomes vacant, it shall not be filled unless authorized by Congress. When the original judgeship became vacant upon Wade's death in 1931, Congress did not act to reauthorize it, leaving the Southern District with a single judgeship.
This led to President Calvin Coolidge signing a bill on January 19, 1928, that enabled an additional judicial post for the area. Subsequently, when Judge Wade's position became vacant following his death in 1931, Congress did not take steps to reauthorize it, resulting in the Southern District having only one judge.