Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-17
THE NEW COMMISSIONERS
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THEMSELVES
The Opinion of Citizens on the New
Appointments.

appointment by the President of Messrs. John
w. Douglass and Lemon G. Hine to be Commits
sioners of the District Of Columbia was re-
ceived generally with expressions of favor by
citizens of the District. Mr.. Douglass received
congratulations from many friends at his home
on F street. Mr.. Hine, who has been absent in
New York for some time, did not arrive home
until O'Clock last night, but even after tina,
hour he met many Of his friends, who extended
hearty congratulations.
TALK WITH MR.. DOUGLASS.
MIR. Douglass, the newly-appointed Commits
sioner, first learned of his appointment at his Of
fee building on New York avenue yesterday af-
ternoon. He had been down town. and when he
entered the building one of the tenants-to
whom STAR reporter had told the news about
half-hour before, in a search for Mr.. Doug
lass-began to offer his congratulations. The
reporter called on the new Commissioner last
evening at his residence, 1916 + street north
west. He said that, of course, he had then had
no knowledge officially of his appointment,
although he had read what the evening papers
had to say about the matter.
Yes, he said. II am well acquainted with
Mr.. Hlne. and think a great deal of him. !
have run across him several times in my pro-
fessional career, and it was only short time
case"
When asked if he had formed any views upon
the various topics relating to the District gov
eminent Mr.. Douglass replied that he had not.
Il can, at present, say only this much, that
shall do my best to carry out the law and to
see that others carry it out. / favor good
schools, and plenty of them, and shall make
great effort to see that the improvements to
the city go on without interruption and with
out reference to sections. l am some
what acquainted in the District building
already, having had some business there at one
time and another, and l anticipate very pleas
ant relations with my assistants. shall try to
see that the places in the District government
are hlled with competent men. Of course it
Will take me some time to familiariZe myself
with the details of the workings OF the office.
expect to be able to take the oath of office by
Monday. There are some matters in my pri-
vate business that are not yet closed I'D, and it
may take little time before can shake my
self entirely clear"
As commissioner Of internal revenue Mr..
Douglass was acquainted not only with the de-
talis OF the work OF his bureau in every par
tcular, but also with every clerk under him.
He made 1T q rule to go through each division
once day, and familiariZed himself with every
feature OF the work, 80 that he could act more
intelligently upon the questions coming to him
for decision. He was very popular in the
bureau, and left many friends there when he
resigned IN 1870 all of whom unite to-day in
high praise of him.
de Is comparatively poor man and, an in
Innate friend of his informed the reporter, is
connected with no real estate syndicates capt.
tallZed schemes or corporations, and has no in
terests to boom except those of the District at
large. He possesses the faculty of hard steady
work to high degree. and is almost tireless
lie has expressed himself in favor of high
liquor license.
WHAT Mr.. HINE SAYS
Mr.. Hine arrived in the city last evening
from New York, where he had been on bust
ness for several days. He first learned of his APP
pointment from THE STAR, which he secured in
Baltimore. 1t was too dark to read more than the
head lines, he said to-day. but that was enough
lie was content to wait for particulars un til
he reached home. He drove at once to his resi-
dence on the Glenwood road, where number
OF friends called upon him in person and by
telephone to offer him their congratulations
his early morning rest was broken by the
Jlngllng Of the telephone bell, and when he left
for the city, shortly after 9 o'clock. the
telephone calls were still following one another
thick and fast. Leaving his family to the So
clety OF the busy, laxative telephone, Mr..
Hine drove into the city. His carriage was
frequently stopped by friends who rushed out
to shake tho new Commissioner by the hand
and congratulate him. He stopped at the Of
flee of MIR. Z. Kurtz johnson, where he held
quite reception, although it was not generally
known that he was there. His popularity was
shown by the fact that the appointment was re-
ceived with general satisfaction.
MIR. Hine bore his new honors quietly and
coolly. STAR reporter found him surrounded
by friends who showered their congratulations
upon him. He found time between handshakes
and responses to good wishes, however, to say
few words to the reporter.
'What are my plans? Well, it is little too
early to go into particulars, but can say that
l shall do my utmost to look after the interests
m wit favn T Lob
upon the Office of District Commissioner
as one of detail, and believe that its
duties can be performed just as success
fully as those Of any other business.
But to do 80 strict attention will have to be
paid to business me thods. / shall do nv best
to conduct the Office on that plan. 1 shall en-
deavor to see that the District gets every dollar
due 1t, and that it gets its worth for every
dollar paid. One of the principal duties ac-
cording to my belief is to give everybody a
hearing. III there is any complaint made to
listen to it patiently. and if there is another
side to wait for it before acting.
II don't know thatit will be necessary to make
any radical changes from the presen: methods
l can't tell. will try as far my authority
goes to have prompt and just administration
of public affairs. Whatever will contribute to
that will of course receive my sanction"
In response to a question he said that he was
not appointed to represent any particular in
terest or section of the District, but the entire
District. He said that he would endeavor to
serve the interests of the entire community
Mr.. Hine expected to go to the District
building later i'll the day and call on the Com
missoners. He did not know when he would
assume the duties of his new office, as he had
not an opportunity OF consulting with his col
league.
1t is understood that Mr.. Hine, like Mr..
Douglass, favors high liquor license as
means of reducing the liquor traffic and mini
MIXING its evils.
TALK ABOUT THE NEW COMMISSIONERS.
"The appointments are excellent Ones" said
Judge Miller. ~ have known Mr.. Hine for
many years. When practicing he was one of
the most popular members of the bar. He is
the most lovable man l ever saw, and has as
many warm friends as any one in the District.
He is a man Of the people and thoroughly I'M
derstands the wants OF the people. He is a
representative of all classes. He is friend of
the old citizen as well as of the newcomer, and
represents both the rich and the poor. He is a
man of ability, of the strictest integrity and
sound judgment. The appointments are of the
best that could have been made"
DIR. j. NJ. Toner does not know either APP
pointee personally, but knows that both have
great credit to themselves, and he expects
mlssioners.
Mr.. c. G. Glover, of Riggs bank, did not care
to express an opinion, but thought the appoint
ments would give general satisfaction. He
knew Mr.. Hine well and favorably.
Mr.. b. P. Snyder, president of the National
savings bank, said: Il am well satisfied; know
them both WE'LL thew are pood man -