The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1917-07-05
JUDGE HENRY URGED
TO SUCCEED LAIRD
If Governor Appoints Him 10 The
Public Service Commission, Heap
pointment of Industrial Accident
Commissioner Higgins Will Dis
Appear.

Hon. Philip u. Laird has resigne,
as member of the Public SeryiC,
Commission and has retired perma
nently 10 private life. His reslgna
tion has been in the hands OF GOV
ernor Harrington for several weeks
rendered because of his impaired
health. but the Governor has beer
loath to accept it, hoping that Mr.
Laird would fully recover his siren
9Th and would be able 10 continue tC
perform his usual duties. Convinced
however. that he cannot give his
work the conscientious performance
which has marked his activities all
his life. Mr. Laird has asked an i'm
mediate acceptance of his resigna
tion. He has returned to his home
at Rockville.
Governor Harrington friends. who
have been aware Of Mr.. Laird's in
tention TO retire 20 private life, have
urged him to appoint former Com
missioner w. Laird Henry. When
Mr.. Laird'S retirement from the COM
mission becomes generally knOWn.the
, movement is behalf of Judge Henry ;
selection as his successor Will be re
neWed with greater VigOr because OF
the excellent record which he made
during his two years inCumDencH.
He was succeeded by Mr.. Laird over
year ago. 1t is said that the eff
forts in behalf OF Judge Henry prom
I iSe to be rewarded With success. The
political differences between the TWO
gentlemen in Dorchester county have
been reconciled. When Mr.. Henry
was urged TO be a candidate Tor The
Democratic nomination for the Sen
ate in Dorchester county few mon
tbs ago, he said that il nominated
and elected he would not antagOniZC
Governor Harrington, despite their
past differences. This and other re
marks brought the two rival leaders
together. Next to Congressman J.
Fred c. Talbot. Mr.. Laird holds the
record for longest prominence i'll
public life in Maryland. In 1876 he
was Tilden electOr. He has repre-
Sented Montgomery county in the
House of Delegates during numerous
sessions. and at the last regular
session he was speaker. When the
late Governor CrOthers organized
the Public Service Commission in
1911, he appointed Mr.. Laird. who
was then president of q 1rust COM
pany at Rockville. a member. On
the election of President James NJ
Amber to the Supreme Bench of
Baltimore, Mr.. Laird was placed at
the head of the commission. Ill
health compelled his retirement in
1914. being succeeded as chairman
by Albert G.. Towers. who in time
was succeeded as commissioner by
Judge Henry. Two years ago Mr..
Laird was elected TO the House from
Montgomery county. and was later
chosen speaker. On the expiration
of Judge Henry's term he consented
to succeed him as commissioner.
iJGii Ils MS ~ q terms on the rui.IInis-
sion Mr. Laird has been indefatig
able in his industry in the thorough !
of every case entrusted !
to him. His rulings have been noted |
for their breadth and for their dis
play of ripe judgment.
If Judge Henry is appointed 10 !
succeed Mr.. Laird, James Higgins |
chances Of reappointment as d mem |
Der of the Industrial Accident Com
mission will wholly disappear. In
fact. il is generally believed that Mr.
will be succeeded by Robert
F. Lee-BaltimOre American.