Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-01-04
CHARLES Y. DARR
DIES AT AGE Of 70
Attorney and Leader in Civic
Affairs SuCCumbS to
Heart AiIment.

Charles William Darr, Washington
attorney and for years leader ir
civic and fraternal affairs here, dice
early yesterday at his home, 1872 Rlt-
tenhouse street.
Mr.. Darr. who was 10 years old, sue
cumbed to a heart ailment that ir
recent months had forced his retire
ment from active law practice anc
social life Members of his family
were at the bedside when he died.
REQUIEM mass will be celebrated ir
the Church of the Blessed Sacrament
in honor of his memory at 8 am. to-
morrow. Private burial will take place
at Laurel, Md.
Mr.. Darr was president of the Wash
ington Chamber of Commerce from
March, 1929, when he succeeded the
late Ivan c. Weld, until October, 1890
having been reelected at the annual
meeting in October, 1929. Previously
he had been second and first vice
president in 1926, 1928 and 1929.
Leader Among Laymen.
Early this year Mr.. Darr leader
among Roman Catholic laymen, was
chosen master of the Fourth Degree
the District and Maryland jurisdiction
He was a member of the Keane Coun-
Gil for rs years and served as State
deputy of the knights for three sue
ceSSive terms.
A firm believer in suffrage for the
votelesS District, the attorney was a
leader in that and other movements for
the betterment of conditions here. AS
head of the Committee on Police and
Fire Protection and Public Safety of
the Chamber of Commerce, he con-
Quoted Investigations and made recon-
mendations for Improvements in these
branches OF the trade body'S activity.
Columbus University, of which Mr..
Darr was president, will suspend classes
today and tonight out of respect for
him, 1t was announced by Fred j. Rice,
chairman of its board of trustees. Mr..
Darr also was member of the Educa-
tlonal Committee, in charge of the
knights of Columbus evening school.
Convention Vice Chairman.
Mr., Darr had an unusual political
career. Always a staunch Democrat,
ne was vice chairman of the national
convention in Chicago in 1892, and a
delegate to Denver in 1908. In 1912 he
had charge of President Wilson's pri-
mary campaign in the District. and
was a delegate to st. Louis in 1916.
Mr.. Darr was originator and chair
man OF the homecoming celebration for
PRESIDENT Wilson after the latter's re-
election In 1915. He was vice chair
man OF the Inaugural Committee the
same year.
During the fourth Liberty loan drive
feto
speaker He was vice chairman of the
District -four minute men" oraaniza-
ton and was chairman of the Commit
tee on Meetings for the united war
work campaign. With two sons in
France, it was fitting that he played a
prominent part in the reception given
returning District soldiers. During the
last presidential campaign he was presi-
dent OF the District 'Al-Smith-for- Presi-
dent" Club.
Urged Gibbons Memorial.
AT the time of his death Mr.. Darr
was chairman of a Committee on the
Erection of Memorial to James Cardinal
Gibbons in the public square in front
OF the Sacred Heart Church, Sixteenth
street and Park road. He was one of
the original advocates of this memorial,
which Is expected to be erected some
time this year.
Mr.. Darr was born in washington
and educated in the public schools here.
He was graduated from the school of
law at Georgetown University in 1894
and was admitted to the bar the same
year. In 1895 he received a degree of
master Of law from Georgetown, and
degree Of doctor of law subsequently
was conferred upon him by Gonzaga
College. He also was member of the
bar Of the United States Supreme Court,
the District Court Of Appeals and the
State of Maryland.
His son Seton was affiliated with
him in law practice here.
He was a leading spirit in the found
ing of the Sixteenth Street Highlands
Citizens Association and was a member
of the Elks' Club Lions Club, Columbia
Historical Association, Association of
Oldest Inhabitants of the District, So
ciety Of Natives and the District Bar
Association. He also was a director of
the District National Bank
His survivors include his widow, Mary
Elizabeth Seton, to whom he was mar
ried 40 years ago; two daughters, Mary
Louise and Mary Frances, and three
sons, Charles w, jr.; Seton and z.
Eugene
On motion of George P. Hoover, presi-
dent of the District Bar Association,
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