Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-25
SEVERAL PROMOTIONS
A. LEFTWICH SINCLAIR GETS A
RIPPER PLUM.
Changes in the Office Of the Corpora
ton Counsel Announced
Today.

The even tenor of the things over In the
Office Of the corporation counsel has been
rudely disturbed, and several folks have
been told to move up one The District
Commissioners have announced the APP
pointment of Mr.. A. LeftWlch Sinclair as
special corporation counsel to represent the
District of Columbia in the thousands of
damage suits anticipated as result of the
change of grade incident to the new union
station improvement. Mr.. Sinclair in ac-
cepting the new position vacates the posi-
ton OF second assistant corporation coun-
sci, which vacancy will be filed by Mr..
Francis H. Stephens Mr.. Stephens is pro-
NOTED from fourth assistant corporation
counsel, which position has been rendered
TO Mr. James Francis Smith.
Mr.. Sinclair's promotion-for his new po-
sition is in the nature of a reward for his
good services during the past four years
also makes a vacancy in the membership of
the police trial board, of which Mr.. Sinclair
was president. 1t is understood that James
l.. Pugh, present third assistant corpora
ton counsel, will be ASST gned to this duty
in addition to his work at the Police Court.
Mr.. Sinclair is thirtyfour years old, and
has made quite an enviable record for him
self in his chosen profession. He was born
near Bedford City, Va. December l. 1871,
and came TO Washington about twenty
years ago. Since that time he has been a
Washingtonan, receiving his education in
the public schools here and graduating from
the Georgetown University School of Law
in 1893 after preparation in the law Office
of Mr.. Andrew B. Duvalll, the present
corporation counsel. Since then Mr.. Sin
clair has received the degree of master of
laws
He was admitted to the Supreme Court
of the District of Columbia in the fall of
1894, and in the practice of his profession
has been associated with Mr.. Duyall. In
1893, upon the recommendation of Mr. Du-
vail, Mr.. Sinclair was made fourth assis-
tant corporation counsel, and in 1903, when
Mr.. Arthur II. O'Conner resigned the posi-
ton of second assistant corporation coun-
sci, Mr.. Sinclair was appointed to fill that
vacancy. Mr.. Sinclair is the son of Arthur
G. Sinclair of this city, formerly connected
with the Metropolitan Hotel. He is a MEM
Der of the Business Mems Association, Mu-
nlcipal Council No. /, National Union, and
attends the Foundry Methodist Episcopal
Church. He is a brother-in-aw of Rev. H.
r. johnson, ID, of the Virginia Methodist
Episcopal conference.
The salary provided for by Congress for
the special assistant corporation counsel il
$4,000 per annum. Mr.. Sinclair received
81, 600 per annum in the position he vacated.
Under Act of Congress.
The appointment is made under the au-
thority of the following provision in the APP
preparation bill approved by Congress March
3, 1905:
elimination of grade crossIngs-Toward
carrying out the provisions of the acts of
Congress providing for the elimination of
grade crossings and the construction of a
union railroad station in the District of Co
lumbia, approved February IL, 1901, and
February g. 1908. for purchase or condemna-
ton of the land necessary for the plaza and
new streets, and for reconstructing grad
ing and paving, together with the necessary
Incidental work in connection Herewith.
ta.H streets, avenues and ways changed In
line or grade or newly created under the
provisions of said acts. including the en-
ployment on the approval of this act of
special assistant counsel at a rate NOT to
exceed $1,000 per annum, in connection with
the settlement of claims for damages in
cident to changes of grade, this sum to be
expended under the provisions of said acts,
and to continue available until expended.
S450. 0O0.''
1t is estimated that the damages against
the District for changes In grade will
amount to a million dollars, and the pro-
lection of the interests of the District in
the matter is regarded as highly important
AS second assistant corporation counsel,
Mr.. Sinclair had charge of condemnation
for streets, alleys, water mains and for
other municipal purposes This work, 1t was