Evening star., 1932-04-22
PETTY IS NAMED
ARLINGTON CLERK
Secretary of Washington
Real Etsate Board Succeeds
William H. Duncan.
By q STAFF Correspondent of The Star.


ARLINGTON COUNTY COURT
HOUSE, Va, April 22-John A. Petty,
secretary of the Washington Real Estate
Board, today was appointed clerk Of
the Arlington County Circuit and Coun-
ty Courts by Judge Walter T. Mccarthy,
to succeed William H. Duncan, who re-
signed yesterday. Duncan was recently
indicted as a result of an alleged short
age in his accounts.
Immediately after his appointment,
Petty announced that the present per-
sonnel of the clerks Office would not
be changed. This consists of Ralph
Remington, Mrs. Jorena Ellis and Mrs.
Elizabeth B. Corder, deputies, and Miss
Lucy Moss. Mrs. Mary Moore Mcintosh,
Mrs. Rachel White, assistants.
Bond Set at S25,000.
It was stated by the appointee that
he has not yet severed his connection
with the Washington Real Estate Board
having had no opportunity to consult
with of1cials because of the urgent need
for the reopening of the clerks Office,
which has been closed since yesterday
morning, so will devote only a part of
his time as county clerk until he can
conclude his official obligations in
Washington.
Judge Mccarthy set his bond at
s25, 900.
Petty has been resident of Arlington
County for the last five years and has
been active in civic work for four years.
He has been president of the Living
stone Heights Civic League since its
organization three years ago and worked
actively with the Civic Federation to
accomplish the adoption of the form of
government under which the county Is
now operating.
Nationally Known Realtor.
Mr.. Petty is known widely not only
In Northern Virginia but also in the
national realty field through his long
association officially with the Washing
ton Real Estate Board.
AS secretary and treasurer of the
Washington board he was active in
educational work as well as business
activities, for number of years con-
ducting a course in real estate here He
has served as vice president of the
secretaries division of the National
Association Of Real Estate Boards and
has served on its Educational Commit
tee
Mr.. Petty is a native of Washington
and prior to the World War was treas
urer of the B. F. Saul Co. During the
war he served as an officer III the
finance division in charge CT a unit of
the enlisted mems allotment branch.
He has been associated with real
estate business for many years and in
1920 was elected secretary of the local
realty association. In 1925 he resigned
from this post to become a vice presi-
dent of the firm of Shannon g. Luchs
Inc, realtors ana builders. Later he
left that association to establish bust
ness Of his own as real estate counselor
and agent for property owners and
prospective realty purchasers.
Established Service Bureau.
A year later he was reappointed
secretary of the realtor organization
and since has been active in that ca
pacity, making many appearances be-
fore congressional committees in the
interest of legislation designed to pro-
tect the buying public from unethical
dealers.
He established the free service bureau
of the Real Estate Board for giving ad-
vice to the public and organized wide
field Of statistical information regard
ing property ownership. mortgage trans
fers and building operations here.
He was appointed several times by
the District Commissioners as one of
the delegates from the District to the
National Tax Association conferences.
He was one of the organizers and
leaders Of the Livingstone Heights
Community Association since establish
ing his residence there several years
ago and has displayed an active inter-
est in development of Northern Vir-
ginia.