Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-10

to be the Engineer Commissioner of the
District, but just where he will be ordered
IS not known. Nor is it known who his
successor as Commissioner will be.
Captain Black was appointed Engineer
Commissioner Of the District March 1, 1897,
and the next day relieved Major Charles F.
Powell as such. He had until recently as his
assistants Capt. Edward Burr and Capt.
Lansing H. Beach, but several days ago
Captain Burr WIS ordered to relieve Capt
David Du B. Gaillard, in charge of the
washington aqueduct. Now, Captain
Beach will. until successor to Captain
Black is appointed, be the only engineer
officer on duty at the District building 1t
Is believed by some that Captain Beach will
be ordered to either assume the duties of
Engineer Commissioner temporarily, or will
be appointed as Captain Blacks successor
Speaking Of the matter to a Star reporter
today, Captain Black explained that while
he is very naturally delighted with his pro-
motion, and with the prospect of going to
the front. he having long since applied for
duty there, he will sever his connection
with the District government with great
regret his duties as Engineer Commissioner
having BEEN most pleasant to him. Just
where he will be ordered, Captain Black
stated, he has no idea, but he presumed, of
course, that he will be directed to report
elsewhere as soon as he can arrange mat
tiers at the District building. Captain
Black also said he has not the slightest
idea as to who his successor will be- He
paid both Captain Burr and Captain Beach
the compliment of saying that they are
officers of ah<'tty. and either would per-
form the dutloE of Engineer Commissioner
should either be detailed as such, to the en-
tire satisfaction of everyone. he believes.
Captain Black explained however. that
he knows absolutely nothing as to whether
the President will direct the appointment
of a new Engineer Commissioner, will
direct that Captain Beach shall perform
the duties of that office.
In the expectation that he will be relieved
n Cantain BLACK is huSilv
gagged in arranging to leave the District
building, and 1t is understood that he will
meantime consider only routine matters.
Speaking of the retirement of Capt
Black as Engineer Commissioner, Commits
sioner Wight said he regards Capt. Blacks
departure as a great loss to the District
He stated that Capt. Black has demon
strated his abilities as an engineer officer
and has done the District very great serv-
ice-for instance, in removing the difficult
ties which for so long stood in the way
of an agreement between the District and
the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore and
Ohio railroads in the matter Of grade cross
ings Capt. Black, said Mr. Wight, has
also done very valuable work in the mat
ter of highways, and has at all times shown
not only deep interest in matters con-
nected with his own departments, but also
with those of the other departments of the
District government. While the railroad
most prominent of Capt Blacks work,
Mr.. Wight said, he has instituted reforms
in the building inspectors office no less
important to the community and no less
far reaching. 1t is generally conceded
thought Mr.. Wight by those who have in
vestigated the matter, that no better mu-
nicipal buildings have ever been erected
here than those built during Capt Blacks
connection with the District government.
for not only has the style of the architec-
ture been much improved by the securing,
through Capt. Blacks suggestion, of plans
made by local architects, but the charac-
ter of the work on the buildings has also
been greatly improved.
Personally" said Mr.. Wight, my off,
cial relations with Capt. Black have al
ways been of the most pleasant character.
have found him very helpful in the dis
charge Of my duties, and while we have DIFF
fered, not always being able to agree on
every project. yet our disagreements have
always been honest and never unpleasant.
I feel that his departure will be great
loss to the District, end I trust that when
the war is over he will be returned to us to
resume his duties as Engineer Commits
sicner.''
Commissioner Ross said that Capt. Black
has proven himself to be most efficient
officer, and he has no doubt that in the
duties he is about to assume he will meet
with great success. I'VE certainly wish
the captain said Mr.. Ross, "all success.
He has our very warmest Wishes"