Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-02
No Known Favorite in Race for
Office of Corporation
Counsel.
NAMING OF DARK HORSE
REGARDED AS POSSIBLE
Commissioners Anxious to Dispose Of
the Matter, as Other Business
Demands Attention.

Thomas. corporation counsel Of the Dis
rict OF Columbia. whose resignation was
announced yesterday, probably will be
decided upon by the Commissioners to-
morrow. The District heads were In con-
sultation over the matter this morning
and have "weeded OUT list Of pro-
spective candidates until only four or
Ave names are now under consideration,
II is understood
Among those who have been consid-
cred for the place are Julius L Peyser
A Leftwich Sinclair, former assistant
corporation counsel and candidate for
Commissioner. and Francis H Stephens
and Roger J. Whiteford, both assist
ants to the corporation counsel. It ia
by no means certain that the choice
will fall upon any Of these, and. In
fact the appointment of a dark horse
candidate Is considered likely.
Friends Of Mr.. Sinclair and Mr.. Pey-
ser were active today in urging upon
the Commissioners that they be con-
sfdered for the vacancy. The Commits
sioners desire to dispose Of the matter
as quickly as possible as their entire
time is now demanded In connection
with the preparation Of the estimates.
Surprises the Commissioners.
The resignation Of Mr.. Thomas, which
was submitted Tuesday, came as a dis
tinct surprise to the Commissioners. With
the view Of avoiding the pressure they
anticipated would be brought to bear
upon them IN. the interest of various
candidates for the position. the district
heads withheld announcement OF the
resignation in the hope that they would
va oF1Rv I'm, 3fcta
The news OF Mr.. Thomas retirement
leaked out prematurely, however. and
the Commissioners yesterday afternoon
confirmed It.
That he has been intending for some
time to withdraw from the District
service was the statement made today
by Mr.. Thomas. He declared that there
has been no friction whatever between
the Commissioners and himself, the prin-
cipal reason for his retirement being his
conviction that he can make more money
In the private practice Of law.
During the past few months Mr..
Thomas has been one Of the hardest
worked officials OF the District govern
ment. The public utilities law, which he
largely framed, has resulted in greatly
increasing his duties, while he has been
required to give much attention to the
litigation growing out of the Commits
sioners' action In ousting Samuel T..
Kalbfus as a member Of the board OF
assistant assessors Of the District
Not Because of Being Ignored.
It is reliably stated that there were
some instances In which the new District
heads did not follow the advice of the
corporation counsel but 1t Is not believed
that this in any way affected his de-
cision to resign. For example, the Com
missioners' firing" Of Mr.. Kalbfus with
out first giving that official q trial was
contrary to the advice Of Mr.. Thomas, 1t
is learned. Then, 1t Is learned. too, that
the board did not consult Mr. Thomas as
to the eligibility qualifications Of E. w.
oyster, who was appointed to succeed
Mr.. Kalbfus.
Recently the head of the Districts
legal department temporarily laid aside
his duties for a much-needed vacation
and. as he expressed 1t today. enjoyed
the rest SO much that he decided to
retire to private practice, where the
work would not be 80 heavy and the
remuneration much greater.
He. accordingly. sent to the Commits
sioners the following brief. announce
ment Of this decision:
Believing that as corporation coun-
sci 1 have accomplished for the public
all that 1 could have reasonably ex-
pected during my service. and that !
am not required to continue longer in
office at a financial sacrifice, / here
with respectfully tender my resigna-
ton as corporation counsel. to take
effect November 1. 1913"
Twelve Years in Service.
The time set by Mr. Thomas for his
resignation to become effective will
mark the close of twelve years OF
service he has rendered the District of
Columbia He was appointed first as
sistant corporation counsel November
l. 1901. and. at that time, gave up q
practice estimated to be worth to him
$4,000 year. September 20. 1905. he
was made corporation counsel one of
the best positions in the local gov
eminent, as it pays $4,000 a year. AS
legal adviser to the public utilities
commission, Mr.. Thomas received an
added compensation of $1,000 year.
Probably the most conspicuous accom-
plishments Of Mr.. Thomas administration
are his defeat OF the attempt of the gas
companies to increase their capitalize
ton through petition to the courts and
his drafting Of the public utilities law.
During his twelve years Of service he has
written more than $500 opinions relating
to the government Of the District Of Co
lumbia, the powers and duties OF its off,
various departments He won several
cases In the Court OF Appeals involving
the Interpretation Of the Districts pen
sion laws for frenen and policemen, and
had charge OF tho court procedure for the
enforcement OF the District fire escape
laws.
Mr.. Thomas drafted q great many bills
which were enacted into law by Con-
sress. among them the present hre es-
cape law, laws for regulating the prac-
tice ~ medicine, pharmacy and veter1.
nary medicine, q law regulating employ
ment agencies and the anti-merger law.
Expressions Of Regret.
Many expressions Of regret were heard
at the District building today over the