Evening star., 1949-09-09
Thomas P. Morgan, Jr., Dies;
Insurance Man, Civic Worker
Member of District
Boxing Commission
Suffers Heart Attack


Boxing Commission
Suffers Heart Attack
Thomas P. Morgan, jr., SO,
prominent insurance man and
civic worker, died last night in
Georgetown University Hospital
after a heart attack.
Mr.. Morgan was general chair
man of special events of the Pres
ident's Cup Regatta and planned
all the details of the queens coro-
nation, which began at the Water
gate an hour and a half after his
death at 7 pm. His last words to
his secretary of 80 years service.
Miss Elizabeth Amole, were that, If
he died, the news was not to be
announced publicly until after the
show.
Il don't want anything to hurt
it," she quoted him Is saying.
Mr.. Morgan, whose many civic
affiliations included membership
on the District Boxing Commis-
sion, became i'll about $3.50 pm,
at his residence. 271l Thirty
fourth place NV.
Audience Not Informed.
His physician and friend. DR.
Logan Owens, and DR.. Thomas
Mcmahon, who also was con-
suited, had him removed to the
hospital. The news of his death
was given to newspapers at 8 pm,
when the coronation ceremonies
were we'll under way. but was not
divulged to the Watergate audi
ence.
Mr.. Morgan suffered a heart
attack a year ago. but through
Miss Amole he advised his friends
that he was "out of town" so
they would not be unnecessarily
concerned.
He was supported by several
groups for nomination as District
Commissioner last spring to re-
place Commissioner John Russell
Young, who later was renamed to
the Office.
Among the groups indorsing
Mr.. Morgan, who was life
long Democrat. were the District
Truman-Barkley Club. the Dis
trict Democratic Central Com
mittee and the Mid-City Citizens
Association.
Descendant of First Appointed.
Mr.. Morgan was a resident of
Washington for more than SO
years. He was the grandson of
District Commissioner and a
direct descendant of one of the
original three Commissioners ap-
pointed by George Washington to
lay out the Federal City.
His grandfather. whose name
also was Thomas P. Morgan. was
a member of the old City Council.
an alderman, chief of the Fire
Board. police chief and then Dis
trict Commissioner. The present
commissioner form of Govern
ment was established in 1878. and
Mr.. Morgan served as commits
sioner from 1879 to 1883.
Mr.. Morgan, jr.. also was
descendant of Thomas Jefferson
Mr.. Morgan was manager of the
Washington Office of the Mutual
Life Insurance Co. Of New York
for almost 80 years. His father
also was associated with the
Mutual firm. Oak Lawn, the
Morgan home. was on what now
is known as Temple Heights, at
Connecticut and Florida avenues
NV.
Active in Many Affairs.
For many years Mr.. Morgan
was active in various community
affairs. These included the Com
munity. Chest, the National SYM
phony Orchestra, the Washing
ton Horse Show of the Junior
League, the Roosevelt birthday
balls, the United Nations Club
balls, the Cherry Blossom festivals
and the Regatta.
He was a director Of the Ma
tional Symphony Orchestra AS
sociation and two years ago was
chairman of the Cherry Blossom
festival. He served as solicitor
with the Chests special gifts COM
mittee. and as chairman of the
Budget Committee and as vice
president. He also was active
with the March OF Dimes cam
paigns.
Prior to the war. Mr.. Morgan
was treasurer of the Committee
to Defend America by Aiding
the Allies. This was a group
headed by the late William Allen
White. During the war. Mr.
Morgan was active in British War
Relief and the District Volunteer
Committee. He was made an
officer of the Most Excellent
Order of the British Empire and
a Knight of the White Rose by
Finland.
On Inaugural Committee.
During President Truman's in
auguration last January 20, Mr.
Morgan was chairman of the
transportation committee Of the
Inaugural Committee.
One of a committee designated