Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-19
GREEN b. RAUM GETS 1T.
The Pension Commissionership FINAL
Given Out.

GEN. RAUN's NAME HAD NOT FOB SOME TINE
BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE PLAcE-rHE AP-
PoINTMENr A POPULAR ONE AMONG ALL
cLAssEs-coRPoRAI TANNER SAYS IT Is GRAND.
The President today settled the long con-
| troversy over the appointment Of Q commits
sioner OF pensions to succeed James Tanner,
resigned, by the appointment Of Green B. Raum
OF Illinois, ex-member Of Congress and ex-com-
missioner of internal revenue. The impression
prevailed two days ago that Mr.. Poole of New
York would be appointed. This impression
was based ON the hopeful expressions Of sena-
tor Hiscock, who is Mr.. Poole's principal sup
porter and who felt confident Of his appoint
ment In none of the speculations about the
succession to Commissioner Tanner has the
name OF Mr.. Raum figured prominently until
last night, and then the possibility Of his ap-
pointment was discussed by few. It was at one
time suggested that Mr. Mason, the commits
sloner OF internal revenue might be transferred
to the head OF the pension office, and Mr.. Raum
succeed him as commissioner of internal rev.
enue. Mr.. Raum's appointment as commits
sioner OF pensions, announced early this morn
ing, came as genuine surprise to most Of those
interested.
Gen. Raum's administration of the affairs of
the internal revenue Office earned for him high
encomiums. He took charge Of it just after the
exposure OF the whisky ring, when the Office was
in disorganixed condition, and brought order
out OF chaos before he left it. He possesses all
the executive ability necessary to cope with the
difficulties OF the position to which he has been
appointed.
THE FIRST TALK BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND
THE GENERAL
on the subject was last evening and the first
intimation that he was being considered by the
President for the place was given him on We'd
nesday. He was not seeking the appointment
thought it his duty to do so under the circum-
stances. As nearly as can be learned, the ap-
pointment was brought about by Secretary
Rusk and the matter was decided, subject
merely to his acceptance, before Gen. Raum
knew anything about it.
TALK WITH GEN. RAUM.
A STAR reporter called on Gen. Raum at his
F-street Office this morning after the appoint
ment was announced. II have only this to
say" he said; II 90 into the office untram-
meled by any preconceived notions. will
lind the laws there and will try to execute them
fairly and to the satisfaction Of the public and
the soldiers. The commissioner executes and
does not make the laws. My record in the
internal revenue service will give the public
some idea Of my methods, and ! hope my mill
tary record will give assurance that my ap-
Polnfment Is not pre1udicial to the interests OF
the soldiers"
Some reference was made to the recent
trouble about the pension Office and Gen.
Raum promptly responded that that was past
and he had nothing to do with it. As TO
matters of policy, Of course, he had nothing 70
say, az he preferred to become acquainted With
the business Of the office before announcing
any plan Of procedure. Besides" he added,
Il have not had the time to think much about
it. ! had no definite information about my
appointment until last Wednesday, when a
member of the cabinet told me that might
expect something in a few days"
HE TAKES THE OATH OF OFFICE.
Gen. Raum was received very cordially by
Secretary Noble, who seemed to regard the ap-
pointment as the final settlement of the vexa-
tious affair Of the pension Office. After Gen
Raum bad taken the oath of Office. administered
by Chief Clerk Dawson, the Secretary sum-
moned the heads of the various bureaus to
come in and meet the new commissioner of
pensions. They all came in and We're intro
duced with great cordially by the Secretary.
The latter then offered to go to the pension
office with Gen. Raum, but II was finally de-
cided that Gen. Bussey should 60.
AT THE PENSION BUILDING.
The new commissioner reached the pension
the appointment Of a new commissioner was
ployes. Gen. Raum was received by Acting
Commissioner Smith and was introduced to q
number of the officials.
He went back to his law Office after q brief
stay at the pension building. He intends to
enter formally upon the discharge of his new
duties on Monday.
HIS DESK WAS READY FOR HIM.
When the news of the appointment of Gen.
Raum reached the pension Office jackson, the
nnl1 ral ro<x a. q.
seemed to be electrified. He rushed into the
commissioners room and pulled off the cloth
that had covered the desk since Mr.. Tanners
retirement and began to remove the piles of
papers and books that had accumulated. He
cleaned the desk off completely, put down
new writing pad and filed the ink stand.
jackson had only short notice, but he
pulled off his coat and worked with
all his might, and when Gen. Raum entefed
the room he found the desk ready for him. He
only occupied it for a few moments, long
enough, however, to sign his name for an
official stamp. He left the building in company
with Gen. Bussey after the reception was over
THE DEPUTY CORRESPONDENTS.
With the appointment of Gen. Raum as COM
missioner the rumor is revived that Deputy
Commissioner Smith will either be allowed
to resign or else be transferred to
some other field. 1t seems to
will not remain as deputy commissioner of PEN
sions. Secretary Noble when asked today
whether Mr.. Smith would be removed said
that as General Raum was now commits
sioner Of pensions his DEGREES in regard
to who should assist him as deputy commits
sioner would have great weight He would
not say whether he himself contemplated any
action in the premises.
THE APPOINTMENT GIVES GENERAL SATISFACTION.
The appointment Of General Raum as pension
commissioner gives universal satisfaction.
This ia regarded as the very best solution Of
the question that has given the President and
Secretary Of the Interior much annoyance.
While the appointment has heretofore been
spoken Of as one that would give satisfaction,
it has been thought that perhaps General
Raum might not accept, and, indeed he now
does SO at great personal sacrifice. To say
this is not merely to repeat what appointees
like to have said about them. General Raum
really gives up law practice Of $4,000 a year
to accept the Office.
CABINET APPROVAL AND OFFICIAL OPINIONS.
Secretary Noble seemed to be very happy
over the appointment and Postmaster General
Wanamaker spoke Of it in tones Of approval
Gen. Whitfield, the second assistant post
master general, who used to be an internal
revenue officer when Gen. Raum was commits
sioner of internal revenue, said that q better
appointment could not have been made. He
was surprised that Gen. Raum had accepted
He spoke of Gen. Raum's work in organizing