Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-30
CAPT. DERBY RELIEVED
A New Assistant to the Engineer Commits
sioner Appointed.
The Change Attributed to the In
nuence of Displeased Contractors
Gen. Casey's Denial.

Gen. Cusey's Deh1al.
Capt Geo. McC. Derby, assistant to the
engineer commissioner, and the officer in
charge of the subsurface department, has
been relieved and ordered to New Orleans.
Captain Lansing H. Beach, now on
duty at Galveston. Tex, as assistant to
Major Miller, will succeed him.
There was a restless activity at the Dis
trict building today and the engineer de-
partment was completely upset. The news
Of the change had been received from the
War Department in the strictest secrecy,
and those who knew 1t We're cautioned not
to let it become known But 1t leaked out,
and when it became known that a Star re-
porter was on the track every one shut up
like a clam. The change Is attributed to
the fact that Capt. derby In the admins
tration of the affairs of his office has in
CURED the hostility of contractors. Ever
since Capt. Derby began his connection
with the District government, which was on
March IL, 1893, he has held those having
contracts with the District to strict and
literal enforcement Of the terms of the con-
tracts, and has thus drawn upon himself
not only their displeasure, but their positive
enmity. Some time ago several petitions
were circulated among business men re-
questing the President to relieve Capt.
Derby, but in the course Of time they died a
natural death, and were never presented.
But there was a stronger current at work.
The capitalists who had their money in
vested in local corporations interested In
contracts and who through rulings of Capt.
Derby had been made to suffer financially
then took up the fight and carried 1t in per-
son to the President and the Secretary of
War. The pressure became so great. it was
said today, that Capt. Derby had to be
sacrificed.
When Star reporter requested an iu-
~av1, ~.
clined to say anything on the subject be-
yond that he was certain that the move
which ended In his retirement from the
District government had been instigated by
those whom he had held to strict enforce
ment of their duty. He had been aware
he said, that this element had been work.
Ing against him for q long time. He re-
tired with the CONSCIOUSNESS of having done
his best to further the interests of the Dis
trict end regretted sincerely to leave the
city where he had made 10 many friends
IAN engineer officer, he said, detailed
at the national capital IN connection with
the local government, cannot but antago-
nize, more or less, people by discharging his
duty, but bear no Ill Will toward any one,
and am sincerely glad that came to Wash
ington and had the good fortune to meet so
many good people. shall leave Washington
for New Orleans as soon as Capt Beach re-
lieves me, which, / understand, viii be in a
very short time, as. there duties in
connection with his present ASSIGNMENT
which would prolong the transfer. 1 should
say that in a week, perhaps, shall leave"
The War Department Explanation.
1t is stated at the War Department that
these changes are routine In character, and
are merely incident to the vacancy in the
New Orleans district caused by the trans
fer of Capt Meliis to this city for duty as
engineer secretary of the light house board.
According to Gen. Casey, chief of engineers,
the new orders Of Capt. Derby are in the
oft,rn of .r,ll llrx,.xY N rb,,k q,
a very able man." said Gen. Casey to a
Star reporter today, land his position here
is not In consonance with his capacity.
His new assgnment is really promo
tion, as he is placed in charge of a large
and most important district. where the ex-
pendttures average over a million dollars a
year. He was selected for this duty be-
cause of his special fitness for it,
Not Due to Dissatisfaction.
Gen. Casey said that Capt. Burr, who
was recently ordered here from Norfolk
will succeed to the position held by Capt.
Derby, and that Capt. Beach will perform
the duties assigned to the third assistant
to the Engineer Commissioner, to which
office Capt. Burr was originally assigned.
Gen. Casey was emphatic and unequivocal
in his denial that Capt. Derby's relief was
due to any dissatisfaction with his admin
lstration, al d said that there was no
foundation for the statement that it
had been brought about by the con-
nivance or influence of electric light men
and brick dealers. whose hostility he is
said to have incurred. Gen. Casey said
that there was no reason whatever for such
base insinuations, and he hoped that they
would be promptly and effectually sup
pressed.
The official orders transferring Capts.
Derby and Beach are being prepared at
the War Department and will probably be
issued late this afternoon.
Capt. Derby's Successor.
Capt. Beach, the new assistant to the En-
gineer Commissioner, was born IN Iowa and
was appointed cadet at the Military
Academy June 1, 1878. He graduated June
13, 1852, third in his class, and was appoint
ed an additional second lieutenant in the
corps of engineers. He became a full sec
ond lieutenant June 80 following, and was
assigned to duty with the battalion Of en-
gineers at Willets Point, N. Y, where he re-
mained until October 81. 1884. January 10
or that year he was promoted to the rank Of
first lieutenant. Since then he served as a
member of the commission to run and mark
the boundary line between a portion of the
Indian territory and the state of Texas, af-
ter which he served with Lieut.. Col. Mer-
rill on RIVER and harbor works near Cincin-
natl. and acted for him in connection with
the transfer to the United States Of the
Muskingum river improvement. In Feb
ruary, 1887. he was recorder of the board on
project for lock and dam No. O, Kentucky
river, and from August %, 1889. to August
q, 1898, he was on duty at the Military
Academy as assistant professor Of civil and
military engineering. In August, 1898. he
was assigned to duty as assistant to Maj. A.
M. Miller, on duty contested with improve
ments to the entrance to- Galveston harbor,
and he has served there ever since.
He Is the baby captain of the engineer
corps, having only attained that rank and
dignity last month. He is a classmate of
Captain Burr, with whom he will be as
sociated in his new field. Captain Burr was
No. in his class and Captain Beach No. 3,
and they rank high in the service. Captain
Derby ranks them both many numbers. He
has been on duty here since March II, '93,
when he relieved Gar TnSk who took