Evening star., 1897-02-02
Mr.. Ross and Major Powell Not
Likely to Be Disturbed.
THEIR CASES NOT YET CONSIDERED
What is Learned by Inquiry at the
White House.
NAY LEAVE IT TO M'KINLEY

From the best Information obtafnable at
the White House, it is not the Presidents
intention to make any immediate changes
In the personnel Of the District Commits
sioners, notwithstanding Mr.. Ross term
expired last Sunday, and Major Powell has
already served months beyond the usual
term of office of the Engineer Commits
sioner. A Star reporter who visited the
Executive Mansion today in quest of in
formation on this point was informed by
an official very near the President that the
question of appointing successors to Mr..
Ross and Major Powell had not been taken
up by the President, and it was impossible
to say when he would consider the matter
Although not so stated, The Star man got
the impression from what little was said
that the President is disposed to allow the
local situation to remain undisturbed for
the present, especially in view of the fact
tfat no material interests will suffer from
a delay of action on his part. Under his
present commission, Mr.. Ross will remain
IN office Until his successor shall have been
appointed and qualified, and Major Powell
can also continue to serve In his present
capacity until formally relieved.
Major PoweIPs Case.
The question of the selection of a sue
cessor to Maj. Powell has been under con-
sfderation, off and on, ever since his four
years term expired, about six months
ago, and during that period friends of Mai
Rossell and Maj. Symonds have been act
I've In their behalf. Inasmuch as the au-
thorities had practically determined to
make change In the Engineer Commits
sloEership so long ago and so far have
Ialled to do so, 1t has been assumed by the
friends of other officers of the engineer
corps that the authorities were not entirely
satisfied with either Maj. RosselI or Maj
Symonds for this particular detail Conse-
quently the list of candidates, open and Sc
cret has been considerably increased until
now 1t includes nearly dozen captains of
engineers who are eligible under the or
ganic law. The 5000 salary attached to
the office makes 1t extremely attractive tn
omcers OF that grade, whose regular nav
Is less than half that amount
Inc prolonged delay in action in this
matter Is also responsible for the pre-
OF the army that the President, having ap-
parentiy no personal preference In the
selection of an Engineer Commissioner
has practically concluded to leave the
matter open for the action of President
elect Mckinley. Although there may be
no good foundation for this belief, 1t OBJ
tains general credence among the officers
most directly interested, both at the Dis
tr1ct building and at the War Department.
Secretary Lamont informed a Star re-
porter today that nothing had been done
toward the selection of a new Engineer
Commissioner so far as his knowledge ex-
tended, but he automatically declined to
say whether or not a change was likely
to occur within the next few weeks.
Commissioner Ross Status in Doubt.
The status of Commissioner Ross is
equally in doubt, SO far as information at
the White House is concerned, and there
Is just as good ground for the belief that
he will be reappointed as there is for the
belief that he will not be. The people who
contend that his reappointment is not prob
able, argue that if such were the inten-
tion of the President, he would have sent
Mr. Ross nomination to the Senate be-
fore Low in order to better improve his
CHARGES Of confirmation before the ad-
journment Of the present Congress A ru-
NOR prevailed today, which is impossible of
verification at headquarters, that Pr.si-
dent Cleveland has decided to leave the
settlement Of this question to his success
sor with the understanding that his (Cleye-
lard's) wishes will be respected in the ap-
pontment. In explanation of this arrange
ment 1t is said that it will enable Mr..
Cleveland to secure the appointment of
the man of his choice, and at the same
time admit of the entire reorganization of
the beard at the expiration of Commission
e- T1resdells term OF office,early in March.