Evening star., 1919-12-30

The Commissioners today appointed
Francis II. Stephens corporation coub-
sci of the District to succeed Conrad
II. Syme. who resigned a week ago.
Mr. Stephens has been an assistant
corporation counsel for fourteen
years. and news of his selection to
head the legal department of the
city government was received with
approval throughout the District
buildinR
The greatest satisfaction at the
promotion of Mr.. stephens came from
the staff of other assistant attorneys
in the corporation counsel office. Mr.
Syme. who has, had an opportunity
to watch Mr.. stephens work. said
when he learned of the appointment
that no one was better pleased than
he at the selection.
Mr.. Syme said that Mr.. Stephens
thorough knowledge of the laws of the
District, as we'll as of municipal law
in general, Will enable him ably to rep
resent the city, in legal matters.
Came Here When Four Years Old
The new corporation counsel was born
at Sandusky, Ohio. on January IL, 1861
His family moved to Washington when
he was four years old, and he has been
a resident of the District since. His
father. William H Stcphens. was SOL
.
Francis H Stephens attended the pub
lie schools here and was graduated in.
1880. from the local high school. He
entered Colnmbiap szeWseGecrge Wash
ington University, receiving the degree
of master of arts in 1885. In 1883 H.
was graduated in law and was admitted
to the bar few months later.
MIR. Stephens was appointed an as
sistant corporation counsel of the Dis
trict in 1905. During his term as an
assistant he has represented the DIS
trict in many important cases before
the local courts. For several years he
has been the senior assistant and his
appointment today is regarded as logi-
cal moving UP in the ranks.
Mr.. Stephens played an important
part in drawing up the loan shark and
higher liquor license laws which were
framing the law which created the
Public Utilities Commission.
Like Mr.. Syme. Mr.. Stephens also
will be general counsel to the Public
Utilities Commission. The position of
corporation counsel pays $500 a year.
Letters Of Regret Sent Mr.. Sy1e.
The Commissioners. in accepting the
resignation of Mr. Syme at their board
meeting today, sent him a letter ex-
pressing regret at his decision to re-
turn to private practice. In addition.
Commissioner Brownlown addressed to
Mr.. Syme the following personal let
ter:
1T is with deep personal regret that
/ have recommended to the board of
commissioners the acceptance of your
resignation to take effect on the first
of the new year. If il were not for
the fact that ] have known for many
months that you desired to return to
the practice of the law upon the com
pletion of the valuation work under
taken by the Public Utilities Commis-
sion, 1 would urge you to reconsider
the action.
The six years of service that you
have given to the people of the Dis
preeiated by them. You have worked
hard and have accomplished much, and
you have given to the District gov
ernment six of the best years of your
life.
More especially l desire to express
work you have done in your capacity
as general counsel of the Public Ctil-
tiles Commission. work in which AL
your friends feel great pride. -
LAS our official relations thus come
to a close, / would like TO say that |
shall ever treasure the warm personal
that arose with and has
continued throughout these relations.
and which / trust Will continue now
that you are returning to private
life"
VIII Give Mr.. Syme Luncheon.
Officials of the District government
are planning to give Mr.. Syme fare
well luncheon at Harvey's restaurapt
at / o'clock Saturday. Mr.. Stephens,
the new corporation counsel, also will
be guest.
The following committee is arrane-
ing the program: Daniel E. Garges,
Daniel ]. Donovan. Maj. J. r. Lusby.
william p Richards. Clifford Lanharn,
George w. Wallace and Walter G.
Allen.