Evening star., 1951-07-24

IL AlotI lCb- 1OuIb t1Ol4OWCa ttiC
idea of Herbert p. Leeman and
Vernon v. Baker as to three-wayI
split in counsel fees in the gas re-
fund case. the law firm of Roberts
g. McInnes would get nothing.
This was evident today in state
ments filed with the court by At
torneys Leeman and Baker, both
of whom are officials of the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations,
which backed the $1.2 million re-
fund move.
They computed their "one-
third" share of the $55,00O serv-
ices fee at $27,50O each. leaving
Roberts & McInnis with only
memories of the successful court
fight they helped prosecute.
Differs Little From Statement.
The Leeman-Baker assessment,
incidentally, differs more than a
little from an oral statement made
some time ago to the court by
the third law firm. Last May 10,
Attorney William A. Roberts de-
clared he had offered Mr.. Baker
and Mr.. Leeman a total of 20 per
cent of the $55.000 fee. Mr.. Rob-
erts said he later raised the ante
to $4,000 for the former and
$4,000 for Mr.. Leeman. Both of
fers were rejected. he said.
The three former allies in the
case filed with District Court Au-
ditor Fred j. Eden individual
written evaluations of their serv-
ices to the public. Whatever the
outcome of the fee squabble, the
amount will be paid from the re-
fund kitty.
MIR. Leeman. who is president of
the federation. gave perhaps the
most detailed breakdown. He in
cluded such incidentals as presid-
ing over federation meetings.
Entry Cited as Example.
One entry. for example, goes
this way:
December 80, 1s49 Gust after
the Public Utilities Commission
awarded the Washington Gas
Light Co. the rate increase later
overturned by the COURT: "Pre-
sided over meeting of federation
when utilities committee reported
and federation debated petition
for reconsideration of PUG order u
Five days later. Mr.. Leeman re-
called, he attended a committee
meeting and three days later ere
sided over another federation
meeting. when the gas case was
further debated.
A February 10, 1850, notation
showed that he filed the first
formal court complaint with Mr.
Baker and "sent notices of the
action to the PUC."
20 Days of Legal Labor.
Over three-day period ir
June, 1850, the Federation head
said, he assisted in trial" and
conducted "law library research. >
On top of that. from February to
June, 1850. Mr.. Leeman pro-
claimed. he participated in mis-
Icellanous conferences and tele-
phone conversations" connected
with the case.
1t all boiled down to about 20
days of legal labor between No
lvember. 1949, and last April 20
Mr.. Leeman said in his report. On
the basis of his figures, he wants
nearly $500 per day for the time
he actually put in on the gas case
BY way of justifying that fee, he
declared In his report that II have
been the chief counsel in this case
from the beginning, and Mr.. Baker
and Roberts 81 McInnis have
worked on it at my direction"
For the edification of the audi
tor, Mr.. Leeman attached a letter
written to him early in the case
by Mr.. Roberts. It said in part;
MY interest in this case is re.
lated to my many years in the
Federation, as counsel for the
PUG and as Peoples Counsel =.
We Chis firm) are, therefore, glad
| IN ha of uloatnvar. assistance Mr.