Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-24
FRED w. FLEITZ DIES;
WAS POLITICAL POWER

Continued from Page One
succeeding sessions and until 1897, when
no declined a roappointment.
Mr. FleitZ began the practice OF law at
wclsborO In 1889. He looked about for a
moro ideal location, and finally headed for
Scranton. For year or two his limited
resources made II necessary. for him to get
along with desk space In the Office OF the
late John r. Jones, Later he formed
partnership with cNJudge j. W. Carpenter
It continued until his death.
About tIc time Mr.. Fleitz arrived in
Scranton the late Congressman William
COnncll was the recognized Republican
leader in his end of the state Mr.. Fleitz
associated himself with Mr. Conncl The
latter saw in the young man from Tioga
the mukings Of clever, clear-headed, fear
less, rcsourceful lieutenant 1t did not oc-
cur to him that later on the mantle Of
leadership would rest on Flftz
Mr. Fleitzs appointment at Harrisburg
brought him in close touch with the lead
crs OF his party in the state. They took
n liking to him. just as Congressman Con-
nell had done. In 1899 they made him
president OF the State League of Republi-
can Clubs lie was reelected In 1900. In
1903 Mr.. Flcitz was named deputy attor-
ney general by Governor William a. stone.
He was the youngest man ever appointed
TO this post Governor Pennypacker re-
appointed him In 1908, and he was con-
"
in in 1907, He could have remained there
during the administration Of Governor
Tener. but Fleltz's law practice and his
varied business interests had grown to
isuch proportions that he had to devote his
entire time to them. lie served for
Time as n member of the State water supply
commission.
For years and until the primary last
spring Mr.. Fleitz was a Penrosc man.
when Governor Brumbaugh announced his
Willingness to stand as "A candidate for
the presidency. Mr.. Fleitz was one of the
first to come out for the Governor. He
assumed personal charge OF the Brumbaugh
campaign in the northeastern tier. and was
a member of the Governors advisory board
in the State While procaiming his friend
ship for Govcrnpr ,Brumbaugh MIR. Fleitz
did not hesitate to say he believed the
Governor had no chance of winning at
Chicago. Fleltz favored Roosevelt for the
nomination. Four years ago he was for
Taft. Since the primary he distributed
the Brumbaugh patronage in his end OF the
State
\ year ago he was chief counsel for the
rates. were before the Public Service Board
for readiustment. The litigation was
amicably settled but not until he had put
in several hard months of solid work on
the issue lie was one OF counsel for the
coal companies when the Roney anthracite
tax law was successfully attacked in the
Supreme Court, a year ago,
MIR, Fleitz was president of the Anthra-
cite Trust Company. Scranton; a director
in the Scranton Savings and Dime Bank,
a director Of the Scranton Life Insurance
Company and general counsel for the same
concern with State Senator William C..
Sproul Of Chester, he was associated in the
apple-growing industry Messrs. Fleitz and
Sproul owning large orchards in Wyoming
and Cumberland counties He was di-
rector of the Taylor Hospital Association
at Taylor. Pa, and was on the board of
trustees of state Hospital this city He
was counsel for the Board of Registration
Commissioners in Scranton at the time of
his death,
Mr., Fleitz was married In 1891 to Miss
Clara A. Mitchell, daughter of Hon, John
l. Mitchell, former United States Senator
from Pennsylvania, and later a member OF
The superior Court of Pennsylvania She
survives. There are no children