Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-09
Appointment Was Surprise
to Richmond B. Keech, Who
Wasn't Candidate.
SAYS HE WILL INITIATE
NEEDED UTILITY REFORM
Has General idea Now of First
Tasks Before Him in New
Position.

Richmond B. Keech, nominated for
peoples counsel before the Public Util-
tiles Commission yesterday by President
Hoover, said in an interview with The
Star that he would work day and night
to justify the compliment paid him by
the President in the nomination.
Mr.. Keech, lifelong resident OF
Washington, Is familiar with the util-
tiles problems of the average Washing
ton citizen from the layman's stand
point He has ridden Washington
street cars, used Washington telephones
gas and electricity all his life. He is
not familiar with the technical aspects
of the many battles with the utility
companies in which it will be his duty
to take the part of the people.
firmed," he said, II shall get to work at
once to familiarize myself with the
struggles of the people and the utilities
companies in their technical aspects
The utility companies are protected
and properly so, by competent lawyers.
I shall endeavor to give the people
equal protection. My office is going to
be open day and night at first. Jim
Martin Games L. Martin, statistical
assistant to the peoples counseD is
going to lead hard life, but not harder
than the life I'll lead myself until ]
get thoroughly familiar with our Wash
ington utility problems.
Has idea Of Cases.
II have good general idea now
as TO the various cases before the courts
and the commission, such as the taxi
cab case, the street railway fare case
and the gas company case. / should
particularly like to enter the street car
case should the rules of court allow
1t at this stage.
AT present, 1t looks as though the
work OF a peoples counsel is cut out
Tor him, with so much litigation going
on. But do not intend to content
myself with fighting defensive battles in
cases initiated by the utility companies.
II md situations where rates are too
nigh or service poor, I shall make It my
business to Initiate the work Of correct
ing those conditions"
Mr.. Keech said that he was not a
candidate for the nomination and the
frst tntimation that he was under con-
Sloeration was q call to a conference
last Wednesday with Assistant Attorney
General Charles P. Sissons, who told
him his name had been submitted to
the President by fellow lawyers. Mr..
Keech said that in fact he had secured
a recommendation for Charles Hill, a
local attorney, for the place. His first
knowledge that the nomination had
been assured came from Star reporter
who called for an interview.
The news also came as a distinct
surprise to Corporation Counsel William
w. Bride. Mr.. Keech'S superior. Mr..
Hridn he HaoI A
keech was a candidate or that he had
been under consideration.
Will Go to Committee.
The nomination of Keech will be re-
ferred to the Senate District committee
for consideration before being taken up
in the Senate.
The committee is scheduled to meet
Tuesday afternoon, and Chairman Cap
per said last night he probably would
call the nomination to the attention
OF the committee at that time, but it is
not likely 1t will be acted on that day
The meeting Tuesday has been called
primarily to take up street railway
merger, and to decide upon a time for
the consideration of the Cramton park
development bill and the Howell pro-
hibitton enforcement bill.
1t is likely, therefore, that the nomi-
nation for peoples council will be given
only preliminary attention at that meet
ing. President Hoover sent Mr.. Keech's
name to the Senate yesterday after
noon, to succeed Ralph B. Fleharty
who resigned recently.
Mr.. Keech. who has been an assist
ant corporation council for the past
five years, is a native of Washington
and 80 years old. He attended local
public schools, Business High and
Georgetown University Law School
During the war he served in the Navy,
advancing to the rank of chief petty
ofhcer on a transport. Following the
war he practiced law until his appoint
nent to the District service.