The Washington times., 1903-07-03
JAMES {. FITCH NAMED
FOR SCHOOL BOARD
Appointed to Succeed Gen.
q. H. Harries.
RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT POST
Will Abandon Vacation Plans in Order
to Assume Duties Assigned
TO Him.

James E. Fitch. Of the real estate firm
of Fitch. Fox. & Brown. was appointed
by the Commissioners this morning to
the vacancy on the Board OF Education.
created by the deelnation of Gen.
George II. Harries TO serve another
term The action was taken upon the
| motion Of Commissioner Macfarland.
Ever since the declination of General
Harries was received, Commissioner
Macfarland has been endeavoring TO fn
the place by the appointment of a man
possessing the high qualifications con,
sidered requisite.
For this particular vacancy was want.
ed a Dunllc-spirited man of affairs. sue
eessful in business. standing high in the
community, well educated. interested in
popular education. and in boys and girls
Big Personal Sacrifice.
The Commissioners also realized that
II would be difficult to induce such a
man to serve. Commissioner MacfarIand
was not disappointed to find Mr.. Fitch
reluctant to accept the appointment. but
hnally persuaded him that Il was his
duty 70 do so. The Commissioners an
preciate the sacrifice OF time and effort
which Mr.. Fitch has agreed to make in
the interest Of the public of Washing
ton.
Mr.. Fitch is at present in Haverford
Pa, where his daughter lives, and where
1t has been his custom to spend the
months of June and July. Mr.. Fitch
notes. in his final letter to Commissioner
Macfarlahd. the fact that his new duties
Will interfere with his vacation as well
as other things. He adds:
However, l recognize the fact that
ones comfort or pleasure should not be
greatly considered when IL interferes
with ones service TO others, and, as you
seem to think that can be Of use TO the
community in the capacity named.
have, rather reluctantly 1 confess. de-
cided to accede to your request and ac-
cept the appointment II made"
Mr.. Fitch's Career.
For over thirty years Mr.. Fitch has
been prominent in the community. In
his successful business career he has had
much to do with the Improvement Of the
District, and has been equally active in
al civic and philanthropic movements OF
Importance. and a generous contributor
TO the funds Of good causes.
He has been recognized as a broad
minded citizen. quietly doing his full
duty. and has shown a special interest IN
young people, which increased after the
death of his son. in whose memory he
founded a prize for students in Colum-
bian University He has never held a
salaried public office. but has served in
different public positions.
Mr.. Fitch is the head OF the firm OF
Fitch. Fox & Brown, a member OF the
banking firm Of Bell & Co. a director
and one of the originators of the Ameri-
can Security and Trust Company. the or
ganizer and managing director OF the
Mutual Protection Fire Insurance Com
pany OF the District of Columbia He
was for over twenty years a director 81
the National Metropolitan Bank He
was one Of the founders of the Church
OF the Covenant. and has been a trustee
and the treasurer OF that church since
its organization.
He is also vice president OF the Re
form School for Boys Of the Distric5,
and has been one OF its trustees for
twenty-siX years; member Of the Citi-
zens Relief Association, and chairman
Of it's finance committee.
When he came to Washington over
thirty years ago Mr.. Fitch became a
member OF the firm Of Fitch Hine & Fox.
and a year later, in connection with the
late Robert c. Fox, established the real
estate firm OF Fitch Fox, now doing
business under the name of Fitch. Fox
& Brown, George W. Brown having ac-
Quired an interest twenty years ago.