His practice was interrupted by service in the United States Army during World War I from 1917 to 1919, where he achieved the rank of Major.

Symes was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 16, 1922, and received his commission the same day.

Symes also has the distinction of sentencing the first person arrested under the newly enacted 1937 Marihuana Tax Act, Moses Baca.

Judge Symes, said: "I consider marijuana the worst of all narcotics-far worse than the use of morphine or cocaine.

Baca was sentenced to 18-months in Leavenworth Penitentiary for "possession" of "approximately one-fourth (1/4) of an ounce of marihuana"[2]