Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-02

The Secre tary of War has made another i'm
portant change In the engineer department of
the District government. An order was issued
today whereby Capt. James L. Lusk is relieved
from duty a. assistant to the Engineer Commits
sioner and is ordered to duty at the West Point
Military Academy, relieving Capt. George McC.
Derby, who will take his place at Washington.
THE CHANGE UNEXPECTED.
The change is q most unexpected one and
was made by Secretary Elkins without special
regard to the views Of the chief Of engineers on
the subject.
Capt. Lusk has been in his position for nearly
hve years and has served well and faithfully.
He has made friends with our citizens, and his
departure will be generally regretted.
CAPT. DERBY's SERVICE.
Capt. Derby has served at West Point for the
past four years as instructor in prac-
tical military engineering. He also had
charge Of the works at Fort Clinton and the
water works and the construction of the new
gymnasium at the academy. He isan engineer
officer OF skill and repute and will undoubtedly
make a success of his career In the District
COL. LAMONT TO SELECT THE ENGINEER coMAs-
sIONER.
As already stated in The STAR the selection
left to Secretary-elect Lamont. 1t will prob
ably be among the first matters brought to his
attention.
CAPT. LUsK SURPRISED.
Capt. Lusk was greatly surprised when a re-
porter OF The STAR gave him the news that he
had been relieved assistant to the Engineer
Commissioner. II have expected such a
thing for a long time" he said, ''but had
Although the duties Of my Office here have
been onerous have nothing but the kindlies;
feelings for the citizens of this District who
have done so much to help me
with my work. l leave here with the sim
cerest regret. The work has been interesting to
me and have taken great pride in it.
am glad, however. that the citizens Of Wash
1ngton are getting such good man my sue
cessor. Capt McDerby was member of my
class and graduated at it head in 1878 a,
the age Of twenty-one. His first service al
Willett's Point, New York. Afterward he was
transferred to New York city. and while there
was under Gen. Newton. chief engineers. He
was given charge of blowing out of food rock
at He'll Gate in the East river The
final preparations for this immense bias,
necessary to remove the rock we're all made
under his personal supervision. He subse-
quently had charge of certain river and harbor
improvements around New York city and in
1889 was ordered to West Point as instructor
in practical military engineering. where
he has continued in service until this time. In
appearance Capt. McDerbv is slightly above the
medium height and is decided blonde. He
is courteous. affable gentleman, close stu
dent and a hard worker. He will make a sue
cess in this department"
REGRET BY THE COMMISSIONERS.
Considerable regret was expressed by the
Commissioners when told Of the change which
was shortly to take place. Commissioner Ross
said: "In Capt. Lusk the citizens OF
this District have had conscientious,
painstaking man. one who studied their
interest carefully and who carried on the ad.
ministration OF his department with wise
discretion. As the head of the water depart
ment he has been very successful. and the
District loses a good man and faithful SER
want.
Commissioner Parker said: although my
official relations with Capt. Lusk has as vet
been slight, still l have known him since he
first came among us. As citizen of Washing
ton can testify to bis careful and considerate
work in the water department. Too much can
not be said Of the good he has done the city
and the sorrow the citizens will feel at his
loss
Capt Rossell said that since he had been con-
nected with the Dist,i,t he knew Of no man
who had worked more conscientiously than
Capt. Lusk At all times of the day and night
he was ready to serve the District and his record
was second to none Perhaps he knew better than
anyone else what valuable man he had been to
the District, and what great loss it was to the
city to have him GO away.