Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-28
RESIGNATION is RECEIVED
OF SIR LAURENCE CONNIE
Retires After Thirteen Years as
Clerk of the London
County Council.
special Correspondents. of Tn. Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
-s--- LONDON. February 1s, 1914.
The retirement of Sir Lawrence CONNIE
from the position Of clerk to the London
county council. which he has occupied
for thirteen years. is just announced.
Early last year he was compelled by seri-
Gus ill-health to leave his duties at
Spring Gardens, and long stay at Folke-
stone brought a considerable improve
ment. But he has been advised that the
benefit received from the change cannot
be expected to continue if he resumes
the multifarious tasks which are attach
ed to his present office. He has decided to
give place to a man more adequately pre-
pared for the physical strain which the
heavy. duties OF the position entail.
1t is a matter of much satisfaction that
his state of health will not preclude him
from devoting his leisure to those public
causes which he has done so much to
promote. His interest in the history of
London and his efforts to preserve its
landmarks have been unceasing. Again,
his assistance to the movement for COM
memorating Shakespeare connection
with London as the scene of the poets
life work has always been ready and
valuable, and freedom from office will
enable him to give help to cause which
seems to be languishing. A son of Lon
don who has worked necessarily for
the preservation and extension Of all
that Is best in London, he leaves office
with the best wishes of all Londoners for
his future.
John Burns Also Experienced.
In the public mind Sir Laurence CONNIE
was thought to be the man who knew
most about London. True. John Burns
in many sides of London life has unri-
vailed experience. His youth and early
manhood taught him more about London
poverty than any middle-class person
could know. and he knew the underworld
of the docks and the inner problems OF
trade unionism. Then came the expe-
riences of a county councillor, and after
that the world of official government
from the inside. and all this was bound
together by a natural love for the history
and the monuments and -etics OF Lon
DON Sir Laurence CONNIE, however,
knows the facts about every side Of the
homogeneous idea Of London as an en-
tity than any other man. He knows
broadly the character and peculiarities OF
every district, the value of its houses, its
chief trades, and the special characters
tics Of its children.
1t is said, too, that he knows under
ground London, it's tunnels and sewers
and tubes and the causes that determine
them and every one knows Of his mex
haustible knowledge OF London antiqui
| ties and historical objects. His influence
! In the council was enormous, and its ef'
fects will live long after him. 1t will bt
noticed, too, in its superficial aspects II
| the streets, for it was he who suggested
the placing of memorial tablets by thu
council on the houses where distinguished
people have lived. and the names Kings
way and Aldwych were given to thu
| great new thoroughfares at his sugges
| ton Every one hopes that in his retire
ment he will continue to make his infiu
ences felt for the sweetening of Londol
life.