The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-05-08
ROSS AND WIGHT SWORN IN
The Former Elected President Of
the Board of Commissioners.
WIGHT DECLINED THE HONOR
Sealer of Weights and Measures TO
Go, But Few Other Changes TX
pected-A New Division of Work
Among the COmmissioners- Mr..
Ross Plans.

Commissioners Ross and Wight were
| down at the District Building early this
morning and Immediately OH their arrival
weTeswUrnin by Secretary TindaH Messrs
w. NJ. McElvey anG j. P. E KumIer, Of
| this city, qualified as suTeties for Mr.
Wight, in the sum of $50, 900 each, and
the Fidelity and Trust Company, Of Bal
tinOIe, became surety in Il like amount On
the bond OF Mr.. Ross
Commissioner Wight's friends were IN
hand to welcome him in his new position,
and many handsome floral offerings ar
rived during the forenoon from prominent
business and professional associates Of the
new ConIni Ssioner, accompanied by pleas
ant expressions of good win and hopes for
future success. Mr.. j. Van Allen Shields,
an old newspaper man, will act as secre-
tary to Mr.. Wight, while Mr.. Alvey, the
former secretary 10 Mr. TruesdeI, has been
appointed 10 fill a vacancy in the Cffce
of the auditor al the same salary.
Immediately upon the swearing in Of the
two new Commissioners the board was
organized and went into executive session.
Many important matters that had been
laid aside pending the qualification Of
Messrs. Ross and Wight were discussed,
and several hours were occupied in going
over the unfinis he'd business before the
board. One Of the most important gues-
tiOns that came up at tyday's meeting
was the applications made for heads Of
several departments, and early in the meet
ing the Commissioners sent for a number
Of the applicants. AS consequence SOME
what Of stir was caused among
the various heads, regarding their Or
fetal holdings IL is not thought, how
ever, that any changes will be made IN
the higher Offices The present incum-
bents have been years in the service, and
their efficiency has been often spoken
highly OF by tie board.
One position that will surely be filled
will be that Of the sealer Of weights and
measures now held by Gen Frank Bond
There are several applicants for his place,
and strong influence is being brought to
bear upon the Commissioners 10 make the
change. Whether it will be done ifnmeti-
ately is not definitely decided upon, but
from the ardor evinced by those who seem
Of weights and measures il VIII be bitter
struggle. IL is known that several pro-
tests have been filed severely criticisins
the administrator of this office under its
present chief. and the Commissioners Win
be forced TO take some notice of these pro-
tests
On account Ofthe change Of 4 GministratioE
and the appointment at the same tame Of
two new Commissioners, the rush foT
places has been greater than ever, and
it is thought that while all applications
will receive due consideration there VIII
be few dismissals. Commissioner Wight
said after board meeting today that the
deliberations were only in the nature ii
preliminary business, and that no matters
Of pressing importance were considered
other than a reassignment OF various
branches Of the service, to be allotted 10
each member Of the board. He said he did
not intend 10 make changes Where men
by long and faithful service had shown
themselves capable and efficient He was
not in favor of displaCing such men nor
had he any intention of coming To The
District building with any such idea in
view
In spea king OF his future course Mr. Ross
said that whatever vas best for the inter
ests of the District he uldalw a Us espOuse,
but that ne would ever he ready 10 extend
the interests Of the District wherever he
found it wise and beneficial
When the board met this morning COmInis-
sioner Ross Immediately moved the seiec-
ton of Mr.. Wight as president of the board
bot that gentleman firmly declined the
pToffeTed place and suggested that MI
Ross, on account of his fitness and long ex-
perience with District affairs, should fill
the office Commissioner Ross said that,
while he deeply appreciated the b OnOr and
trust imposed in him by the new Commits
sioner and would be glad to fiji the place,
he would suggest that Mr.. Wight confer
with President Mckinley in the matter
A telephone message was thtreUpOn sent
to the President. who in reply as 10 the
desirabilIty Of Mr. Ross as president OF
the board, said, that so long as the bust
ness Of the District was properly and
faithfnIl- discharged, he had no prefer
ence in tire matter. and that the selection
Of Nr Ross would be perfectly agreeable
to him.
Mr.. Ross was then elected president OF
the board and Engineer Commissioner
presidents In order that the three de-
partmentS might be kept separate and dis
tinct under the newly reOrganized board,
the inspectors of buildings, elevators and
fire escapes are transferred from Commits
sioDer Wight to Capt Black, while the
auditors office and collector of taxes
and licenses 90 from Wight to Ross. Com
missioner Wight will in future have charge
Of the fire department, also departments
of steam boilers and steam engineers
board
Under the present arrangement the de
partments of the District will be divided
into three distinct branches. Commissioner
Ross will look after all financial matters,
Commissioner Black after all engineering
and mechanical departments, and Commits
sioner Wight after all matters pertaining
10 the municipal control and protection OF
the interests of the District. This arrange
ment, it is thought, will give greater free
dom in satisfactory conduct of District
affairs and the business can be looked after
with greater satisfaction and dispatch
than in former boards.
Rebels Capture Il Railroad.
NTav oorz.