Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-15
DELAY NAME
OF
SUCCESSOR
HEWITT AWAITS PASSAGE OF
ORDINANCE
Inside information Still Puts Deputies
Ford and Eddie in the Lead
for Appointment as
Prosecutor

not name a chief prosecuting attorney
until Tuesday.
This was the decision late last night
when it was programmed to introduce
the ordinance creating the office OF
prosecutor and assistants in the coun-
ell on Monday. If the council passes
the measure, as seems probable, fixing
also the number of assistants and the
salaries, then the field will be free to
make appointments Tuesday.
Mr.. Hewitt admitted last night that
this was his plan and in the meantime
he will deliberate further over the sue
cessor to e. J. Fleming, who declined
reappointment.
Deputies Are Favorites
Mr.. Fleming has served since May
last year, but his assistants have
gained valuable experience and there
is little room for doubt that the train
ing had by Deputy Guy Eddie and
Deputy Joseph Ford qualities either to
do this work satisfactorily.
On this account attaches of the
courts, the city hall and police head
quarters look for the honors to fall on
either of these two men, with chances
in Ford's favor
However, non-partisans have can
didate whom they are urging Mr.
Hewitt to recognize
Mr. Fleming's letter of declination
pays a tribute to Mr.. Hewitt's admin
department, but does not reveal the
inner reasons why Mr.. Fleming chose
to accept the chief deputyship under
District Attorney J. D. Fredericks. The
Fleming letter follows:
Thursday of this week you ten
dered me the appointment of prose-
cutting attorney of Los Angeles city.
After full consideration i have de-
cided, for reasons stated to you in
our interview, and which in no way
concern the public, to decline the
appointment.
Since May, 1907, I have been your
subordinate in the enforcement of
all ordinances of Los Angeles city.
During that period you have never
reprimanded me or criticised any of
my official actions as your deputy.
Every request have made of you
for the welfare of the office has
been granted.
Therefore, my decision has been
reached with sincere regret, so far
as our official and personal rela-
tions are concerned 1 shall con-
tinue to discharge the duties of the
office until you have appointed my
successor.
Mr.. Fleming amplified this by making
the following statement to the press:
1 am grateful to Mr.. Hewitt for
his commendation Of my work and
for the courtesy he has extended
while L have been prosecuting at
torney. 1 entered the office a
stranger to him and leave it his
friend.
Thanks are due my superior Of
ficer, District Attorney Fredericks,
for his loyal and fearless support
and able counsel, at all times ac-
corded me in the administration of
my office. | have accepted the ap-
pointment rendered me by District
Attorney Fredericks and shall join
his staff as soon as Mr.. Hewitt ap-
points my successor.
In conclusion, l thank the press for
its fair treatment and ~ aside the
duties OF the office hoping that 1
have done a few things to make
Los Angeles a better city.
Friends of Mr.. Fleming say that the
persistent efforts of politicians and 9TH
ers to run his office or interfere with
prosecutions of persons with pulls
has proved a great tax on that official
and he has in measure injured his
health by prosecuting his work as he
felt that he should. In his new posi-
ton the strain will be less severe.