Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-28

But Now Capt. Collins Resignation Relieves
the Tense Situation.


Capt. J. W. Collins has resigned his positions
as assistant in charge of the division of fisheries
Of the United States fish commission and
representative of the commission on the
board of control and management of the
government exhibits at the worlds fair and
VIII now give his exclusive attention to the du-
ties devolving upon him as chief Of the depart
'ment Of fisheries of the worlds Columbian ex-
position.
This brings to an end the trouble which has
existed for about two years in the fish COM
mission. and which eliminated last autumn in
the suspension of Capt. Collins assistant in
charge Of the division of fisheries.
The captain, however. kept his place on
the worlds fair board as the government
representative. At the time Fish Commissioner
Mcdonald suspended Capt. Collins he made
charges against him, but what they were has
never been made public. The President has
those charges vet in his possession. 1t is well
understood, however that the trouble originated
IN an attempt TO get Commissioner Mcdonald
ousted and TO have Capt Collins put in his
place. just who is behind this plan has never
appeared. but if there was ever a chance of se-
curing McDonald's removal il disappeared when
the election returns we're received. Mcdonald
was democrat, appointed by Cleveland and
good official and if he had been removed by
Harrison he would promptly have been
put back by Cleveland. An attempt
committee to call for McDonald's removal
but it failed, and had the committee asked for
IL the President would not have granted it. for
he Is known to have said as much to a promi-
nent republican Senator.
THE MAN FOR THE PLACE
One thing that made the situation more COM
plicated than il otherwise would have been was
the fact that Capt. Collins the best man to
be had to take charge of the government fish
exhibit at Chicago Col Mcdonald admitted
this, as it is understood. and others who were
interested did the same. The work of prepar-
Ing the exhibit went on, but it was not pro-
crossing satisfactorily. owing to the lack Of
harmony and cooperation.
AT length Director General Davis of the
worlds fair wrote letter to President Hsrri-
son complaining of the condition of affairs, and
saying that the exhibit ought not to be
injured by any Misunderstanding between
Mcdonald and Collins and rather taking sides
with Collins in the matter, and charging
that Mcdonald vas not keeping his promises
in regard to the fish exhibit. President Harri-
son thereupon called Capt. Collins to Washing
ton from Chicago and had a talk with him
The result that Senator Stockori,, ge
Of Michigan, chairman of the Senate
committee on fisheries. and a friend of
both Mcdonald and Collins. was called in as
mediator. The whole thing was put into the
Senator's hands to arrange amicabls settle
ment. for the President and Senator Stock
bridge and Commissioner Mcdonald
all wanted Capt. Collins to retain
charge of the exhibit. After several
interviews Senator Stockbridge drew up plan,
under which Capt. Collins was to retain control
of all the government exhibit except that of
the live fish, which was to be under the con-
troll of Commissioner Mcdonald who was
to appoint man to directly oversee
that branch of the work. There were
objections to this from both men but il was
hoped that settlement could be made and
Senator Stockbridge was convinced that his
efforts would succeed. He was mis-
taken, however. for Capt. Collins sent
his letter to the President today. Senator
Stockbridge was surprised Mt this action. when
he learned of it. but he remarked that no doubt
the President would at once accept the resigna-
ton and that new man would be appointed to
represent Capt. Collins on the government
board