The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-02
ASHBAUGH TO QUIT
Attorney for Railroad Board
Gets Better Position.
VIII Be Assistant in Depart
ment of Justice.
THE PAY is BETTER.
Salary in New Place Is Three
Thousand Dollars.
A. E. Helm, Of Wichita, May Be
His Successor.
THE PAY is BETTER.

Judge S. S. Ashbaugh, attorney for
the Kansas board of railroad commits
sioners, will resign his position at once
to accept the appointment as assistant
attorney in the United States depart
ment of justice, with headquarters in
Washington, at a salary of $4,000 a
year Judge Ashbaugh was appointed
to his new position by Attorney Gen
eral Bonaparte of the United States
department of justice. and his work
will be entirely in the court of claims.
The appointment of Judge Ash
baugh's successor rests with Governor
Hoch. The only man who has been
mentioned for the place thus far is
A. E. Helm of Wichita, Judge Ash
baugh'S law partner.
Judge Ashbaugh today refused to
discuss his new honor. He said:
Don't ask me about it! 1 don't
want to say word. 1t would COM
plicate things, and positively must
not discuss the matter
You will accept the appointment,
will you?"
Yes"
And when does it take effect?"
'-And your headquarters will be in
Washington ?"
WHO is likely to be your success
sor?"
81 don't know-haven't had time to
think of it,
Governor Hoch was notified by
Judge Ashbaugh this morning of the
appointment. 1t was the first he mad
heard of it.
Judge Ashbaugh has not yet ten
dered his resignation" said Governor
Hoch at noon today. He merely
notified me of the fact that he would
accept the new place. 1 expect that
will appoint his successor before next
when I will leave town to
speak at Carthage, Mo. have not
considered who will be appointed: II
has all happened very suddenly. 1t is
certainly an honor for Judge Ash
baugh but 1 can't see that he will be
benefited much financially"
George, w. Kanavel, chairman of the
state board of railroad commissioners,
said:
'Mr. Ashbaugh notified us last night
that he had been offered this position,
and would accept. We have not con-
sidered the matter at all as a board
what his intentions are, but nothing
has been, settled
rs the board likely to be favorable
to the appointment of A. E. Helm ?"
piled Mr. Kanavel 1--WE have nothing
against Mr.. Helm, as is clearly indi
Gated by the fact that we have employ
ed him in several cases. Naturally, we
are very much itereSted In the Selec-
ton of a good man for this place."
The appointive power for the attor-
ney rests wholly with Gov. Hoch. The
position pays $2.5OO a year with the
right to travel free over all the rail-
roads of Kansas. The attorney also |
appoints a stenographer at a salary of
$1,000
Judge S. S. Ashbaugh was appointed |
Lttor.ley for the board last spring, after
l hard fight with Carr Taylor, the for |
ner attorney, who was displaced. Tay- |
or was bitterly attacked by the rail- |
-oad interests, and by some of the |
politicians friendly with the railroads. |
Governor Hoch finally selected S. s.
Ashbaugh to succeed him. Mr.. Ash
oaugh had served as attorney for the |
tate in the Arkansas river suit, and |
lad also appeared in number of rate
,ases. Since his appointment as attor
ley for the board, Judge Ashbaugh has
trgued a number of important cases
before the interstate commerce COM
mission.
A E. Helm is naturally suggested as
dr Ashbaugh's successor because Mr..
Helm is closely in touch with Mr.. Ash
,augh's work, and understands the
ituation in Kansas. He has pleaded
lumber of important rate cases. and is
considered one of the best posted
reight rate lawyers in the state not
m, Moved bv the railroad companies