Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-09-19
Sketch OF Albert C. Richie.

Albert C. Richie, Democratic nominee
for Governor, is the present Attorney Gen.
eral Of Maryland. to which Office he was
elected four years ago by majority of
about $4,000 votes, running far ahead Of
the rest Of the ticket.
Mr. Richie received his general educa-
ton in Baltimore city and was graduated
from the law school Of the University of
Maryland in 1898. In the same year he
began the practice Of law with the law firm
Of Steele, Semmes, Carey & Bond. Two
years later he became a member of the
firm. In March. 1908. Mr.. Richie was ap-
pointed Assistant City Solicitor. In No
vember of the same year he formed law
partnership with Stuart S. Janney Since
1907 Mr. Richie has been Professor of Law
at the University of Maryland.
In July. 1910. Mr. Richie became Peo-
pies Counsel to the Public Service Commits
sion OF Maryland. One Of the most i'm
portant events in his career was the fight
made by him in 1912 as Peoples Counsel
AuI CuCdpCI gus III odittilOtC wy AiuS-
tically single-handed. Mr.. Richie was
pitted against the best experts in the
country and the ablest legal talent the
gas company could employ He devoted
all OF his time for nine months to the
fight, and his efforts resulted in brilliant
victory. The price Of gas was reduced
from 80 to 80 cents per 1000 cubic feet,
and the price of electricity from 10 to
8 IL cents per X. W. H.
Mr.. Richie resigned as Peoples Counsel
in February. 1918. to resume the practice
of his profession. More than year later
it was charged that the gas company had
evaded the reduction in the price Of gas
by lowering the quality Mr.. Richie de-
voted the summer OF 1914 to a study of
this question. which he made as a private
citizen and at his own expense. He filed
brief with the Public Service Commission
and appeared before it at the hearings in
behalf of the people Of Baltimore. His
work resulted in another victory when the
Commission ordered the gas company
either to restore the former quality Of
gas or to further reduce the price. The
gas company decided to reduce the price
to rs cents per 1000 cubic feet. The
fights made by Mr.. Richie, in and out Of
Office, saved to the people Of Baltimore an
amount estimated to total about 100000
annually.
In an editorial on the gas case the Bal
timore Sun said:
HE (Ritchie) has gone up against the
ablest lawyers the GAS company could
command big corporations
have way of obtaining the best legal
talent. He has measured lances with the
most experienced fencers. And, whatever
the Commissions decision may be. Richie
has made good.
When Mr.. Richie resigned as People,
Counsel. the Baltimore Star said edito
rally:
His (Ritchic) conduct Of the gas probt
was one of the most brilliant and ex'
haustive pieces Of advocacy which have
commanded public attention in Baltimore
in recent years. but his very devotion t.
his work as a public servant required thu
neglect of his private practice. and it il
not surprising that he finds it impossible
to make further sacrifices. There can b.
little doubt, however, that he will be found
serving the people in higher places il
time; such abilities as his are needed in
the public service"
Ar. ~. D;aohsa had hrondhf ahnuf d
further reduction in the price Of gas b!
his own investigation in 1914. the Balti
more Sun in an editorial said:
"Mr. Richie again wins the commenda
ton of the public for honest service eff
GENTLY rendered"
The ability and energy shown by Mr.
Richie as Peoples Counsel resulted in his
nomination by the Democratic party il
1915 for Attorney General Of the State
After his election he organized the first
State Law Department which took ovel
the work Of counsel to all Of the State
boards and commissions with the excep-
ton of the Public Service Commission.
In the summer of 1917. when the Governor
convened the extra ScsSlOn VI Tue Leklold'
ture to meet the emergencies growing ouI
of the declaration Of war. Mr.. Richie uH.
dertook TO draft the entire program of war
LEGISLATION. Working day and night fol
weeks, Mr.. Richie prepared all the wal
laws and had them printed and ready foI
introduction when the Legislature met
an achievement which was on par with
the splendid service he rendered as Peo-
pies Counsel to the Public Service Com
mission.
Among the bills which Mr.. Richie drafted
were those postponine payments for the
benefit Of soldiers and sailors absent in the
military service. Maryland was among
the first States to adopt such legislation,
which was eventually followed by the Sol.
diers and Sailors Civil Relief Act passed
by Congress In consultation with the
labor interests Mr.. Richie prepared the
Maryland Compulsory Work Law. the first
of It's kind devised in this country, and
which was afterward copied by the Legis-