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 that
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 of the tenants-to
whom q 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 f 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. Il am well acquainted with
Mr.. Hlne. and think a great deal of him. l
have run across him several times i'll my pro-
fessional career, and it was only short time
ago that We were opposing counsel in a law
case"
When asked if he had formed any views upon
the various topics relating to the District gov
eminent MIR. 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. L favor good
schools. and plenty of them, and shall make
q great effort TO see that the improvements to
the city go on without interruption and with
out reference to sections. | am some
what acquainted i'll 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 filled with competent men. OF course. it
will take me some time to familiarize myself
with the details of the workings Of the Office
l expect to be able to take the oath of office by
Monday. There are some matters in my pri-
waite business that are not yet closed up. 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-
tails of the work of his bureau in every par
tlcular, but also with every clerk under him.
He made 1t a rule to go through each division
once day, and familiarized himself with every
feature of the work, SO that he could act more
lntelligently upon the questions coming to him
for decision. He very popular in the
bureau, and left many friends there when he
resigned IN 1873. all of whom unite to-day in
high praise of him.
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.
He 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
He was content to wait for particulars until
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
llngllng 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
ciety of the busy, laxative telephone, DIR
Hlne 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
fee of Mr.. L. 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.
Mr.. Hine bore his new honors quietly and
coolly. A 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 a little too
early to go into particulars, but can say that
| shall do my utmost to look after the interests
of the District without fear or favor | look
upon the Office of District Commissioner
as one of detail, and believe that its
duties can be performed just as success
fully those of any other business
But to do SO strict attention will have to be
paid to business methods. l shall do my best
to conduct the Office on that plan. i shall en-
deavor to see that the District gets every dollar
due it, and that it gets its worth for every
dollar paid. One of the principal duties ac-
cording to my belief is to give everybody
hearing. If there is any complaint made to
listen to it patiently, and if there is another
side to wait for it before acting.
81 don't know thatit will be necessary to make
any radical changes from the present methods.
| can't tell L will try as far as 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.. Hin expected to go to the District
building la8r in the day and call on the Com
missioners. 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, fayors "A high liquor license as u
means of reducing the liquor traffic and mini
MIXING its evils
TALK ABOUT THE NEW COMMISSIONERS.
''The appointments are excellent ones" said
Judge Miller. II have known Mr. Hine for
many years. When practicing he was one of
the most popular members of the bar. He is
the most loyable man l ever saw, and has as
many warm friends as any one i'll the District.
He is man of the people and thoroughly I'M
derstands the wants OF the people. He is a
representative of all classes. He is a 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 strctest integrity and
sound Judgment. The appointments are of the
best that could have been made"
DIR. j. NJ. Toner does not know either ap-
pointee personally, but knows that both have
filled positions of trust and importance with
great credit to themselves, and he expects
them to make a good record as District Com
mlssioners.
Mr.. G. G. Glover, of Riggs bank, did not care
to express an opinion but thought the appoint
ments would give general satsfaction He
knew Mr.. Hine well and favoraby
Mr.. b. p. Snyder, president of the National
savings bank, said: Il am well satisfied; know
them both well; they are good men,"
= The people of East Washington feel very
friendly to Mr. Hine." said Mr. NJ I Waller