Evening star., 1934-02-25
PRETTYMAN SEEN
POSSIBLE CHOICE
FOR BRIDES POST
Chevy Chase Attorney Men,
toned as Corporation Coun-
seI's Politics Are Argued.
CITY HEADS ARE SILENT
ON NEW APPOINTMENT
Blanton Defends, McDufie and
Patman Attack Record of
Present Official.

E. Barrett Prettyman, we'll known
Washington attorney, who until re-
Gently was general counsel of the
Bureau of Internal Revenue, is being
considered for appointment as corpo-
ration counsel of the District, it was
learned last night in well-informed
quarters.
The disclosure came shortly after
the Democratic record of William W.
Bride, who has served as corporation
counsel for more than six years, was
both praised and questioned during
debate in the House.
Bride heard the discussion from
seat in the gallery reserved for House
members and their friends. Later he
admitted at the Capitol that he ex-
poets to learn this week whether the
Commissioners intend to retain him
as head of the Districts law depart
ment or to replace him.
Replacement Rumored.
During the past several days there
have been insistent reports in in
formed political quarters that Bride
would be replaced. The appointment
of a new corporation counsel would De
made by the District Commissioners,
but because of the relative Importance
of the position, it was believed the
matter would be laid before admins
tration leaders for advice. The Com
missioners thmeselves have remained
silent on the subject.
There have been indications that
the matter already has been carried
to those who handle patronage mat
ters for President Roosevelt. but
whether the subject would be laid be-
fore the President has not been dis
closed.
Prettyman was appointed general
counsel to the Internal Revenue Bu-
reau last May and served until rev
weeks ago when Secretary OF the
Treasury Morgenthau instituted a
number of changes in divisions under
his control, in move 10 nave MS OWN
appointees directing Treasury &C
tivities.
Aided Roosevelt Campaign.
Prettyman, a resident of Chevy
Chase. Md, was active in the Roose-
yelt campaign in Maryland. he is
regarded as an expert in income tax
matters. He is the son of DR.. Forest
j. PTettynaT, who served as chaplain
of the Senate during the Wilson ad-
served as a special attorney for the
Internal Revenue Bureau and in pri-
vate practice was a member OF the
law firm of Butler Pope, Ballard q
Loos of Washington and Chicago.
He was one of counsel in the famous
S34000,000 CouZens tax case before
the United States Board of Tax Ap-
peals several years ago.
Bride was praised in the House yes
terday by Representative Blanton OF
Texas. Questions about Brides ad-
herence to the Democratic party were
raised by Representative McDuff1e,
Democrat of Alabama.
Blanton told the House that Bride
has remarkable record as a Demo-
crat" and that the worst thing that
could be said about him is that while
holding Office under a Republican
administration he contributed Sl00 to
the Republican campaign fund"
Claims Party Indorsepent.
The Texan also declared Bride had
been appointed by former Commis-
sioner Sidney F. Taliaferro, Demo-
crat, and had been indorsed by the
Democratic District of Columbia
Committee of the House.
Didn't he name himself in Who's
Who as a Republican," interrupted
Representative McDufie, Democrat,
of Alabama.
Blanton then asked permission to
insert in the Congressior al Record a
complete account of Bride as Demo-
crat.
ALSO insert his Republican rec
ord" shouted McDuffie.
One of Blanton's constituents, An
drew M Howsley, was recently ap-
pointed an assistant corporation coun-
sci in Brides Office and assigned to
the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
In addition to Blanton, Bride has
a number of friends on Capitol Hill.
Among them are Chairman King Of
the Senate District Committee, Chair
man Norton of the House District
Committee and Representative Smith
of Virginia. His severest critic is
Representative Patman of Texas, who
announced some time ago he would
start a campaign to have Bride re-
moved if the Commissioners didn't
do it voluntarily. Patman accuses
Bride of having convenient politics"
Bride, however, claims his principal
opponent is Joseph P. Tumulty, who
was secretary to the late President
Wilson. He said Tumulty had cir
culated a pamphlet criticising him
- a..,rixnr him of heinQ Ranllh-