The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-11-13
District Official Leaves Pub
lie Service to Practice
Law in Capital.
CONSENTS TO STAY
UNTIL JANUARY II
Coming on Heels of Vests With
drawal, Action Creates Sur
prise in Business Circles.

Henry B. F. Macfarland today
Itendered to the President his resig-
nation as a Commissioner of the
District of Columbia, giving as the
reason for his action his desire to
engage in the practice of law at the
earliest moment possible.
The President expressed regret at
having TO accept the resignation and
asked Mr.. mcfarland to continue in
office until January instead of
December 1, as the Commissioner
had originally intended to do. To
this Mr. MacfaTland agreed.
TWO RESERVATIONS SURPRISE.
Coming only two days after the
unexpected resignation Of Commis-
sioner West, the withdrawal Of Mr..
Macfarland from the public service
created a sensation among business
and official circles.
Mr.. Macfarland has been in ofiee
since last May as a holdover. be-
cause he was not reappoIntei at
the expiration of his term. and at
that time It was understood that
he would not serve out a full term.
Nevertheless, his retirement at this
time was not expected AS a re-
suit of it. Mr. Taft now has the
task Of appointing two nax Com
missioners.
In Office Nine Years.
Mr.. Maofarland is chairman OF the
Board OF Commissioners. having held
that post ever since he was sworn into
o1iee as a Commossioner on May 9,
1909
He called at the White House at II
o'clock this morning, reaching there a
few minutes after the Presidents ar
rival from Connecticut. After a wait OF
a few minutes, he was shown into Mr.
Tafts office, and there presented his
resignation TO take effect December I.
Upon the Presidents request that ne
remain IN office until January l. he
agreed to do so.
Mr.. Macferland then returned 70 his
offices at the Municipal building, Where
he MADE the following statement in
explanation Of his resignation:
VIII Practice Law.
II have resigned IN order that I may
practice law. Ever since I was admit
tel 10 the bar. last February, have
been intending to take this step. I
have delayed in order TO do some things
upon which I was at work. such as the
establishment or the safe and sane
celebration OF the Fourth Of July. the
competitive appointment or District
candidates TO West Point and Annapo
liz, The transfer Of L'Enfant's remains.
and to take part in the preparation of
the estimates with a view TO having
adequate expenditures made for cur
rent needs and providing for carrying
cut the rest of our program of extraOr-
binary improvements. have no pri-
vate fortune, I ana forty-eight years
old, and I cannot afford to remain
longer in offiee.
Il feel that 1 have given all the time
TO the District Government service that
I ought TO give But 1 am very happy
10 have had the opportunity to serve IN
the Commissionershlp during the great
period OF our municipal development I
am grateful for the support which I
have had from al that Is best In the
National Capital I shall continue TO
do everything in my power for the
District"
Plans Are Hazy.
Mr.. Maefarland has not yet given any
specific information to what law
connections he will have when he be
gins the practice of his profession here
One business connection he has already
established is with the District National
Bank, of which he is vice president and
Robert n. Harper Is president.
Henry b F. Macfarland was born in
Philadelphia February II, 1861. the eld-
est child of Joseph Macfarlan6, a we'll
known journalist The father took the
family TO washington ar the close Of
the civil war. Mr.. Macfarland was edu-
Gated in private schools. graduated at
RittenhOuse Academy, Washington, and
read law in the office OF the late Hon.
". 3. Webb. in October. 1855, he mar
ried Mary Lyon Douglass, daughter OF
John W, Douglass, formerly Of Erie.
Pa. and at one time Commissioner OF
the District
Mr. Macfarland had for years taken
a deep interest in the civic affairs OF
the District of Columbia. and been ac-
tive in all movements for its improve