Evening star., 1901-07-26
CAPT. BEACH'S POPULARITY
MANY EVIDENCES Of ESTEEM IN
WHICH HE Is HELD.
He fs Disceura1ing Any Action Look
Ing to HIS Retention as
Commissioners.

The office of Capt. Lansing II. Beach, the
Engineer Commissioner. at the District
building was again besieged by callers this
morning, who came to pay their respects
and to offer their services to the captain in
any way he should name Capt. Beach has
received many letters and numerous tele-
grams from his friends and prominent
Washington business and professional men
now out of the city, all asking TO be al
lowed to render him some service and ex-
pressing regret at his proposed transfer
from the post of Commissioner. Capt.
Beachs popularity has received almost un-
qualified expression, and he has been deep
ly touched by the tone OF the communica-
| tons and the words Of his callers.
Desires to Obey Orders.
Capt Beach has, of course. declined all
proffers of intervention in his behalf While
| stating his appreciation OF the many kind
expressions and the motives which prompt
the offers. Capt. Beach discouraged any
action on the part of his friends or the citi-
zens generally looking toward his reten-
ton. he fmpresses upon all the fact that
he is a soldier. and 1t Is his duty and de-
| sire to obey orders and not to attempt their
revocation.
In spite of this, however, it Is known that
many prominent men, including senators
and representatives are in communication
with the President, asking that Capt. Beach
be allowed to remain Commissioner at
least until the many important projects
which he has in hand are a little further
advanced. Capt. Beach has made journeys
to many cities Of late to investigate munich
pal institutions of a character similar to
the several which have recently been au-
thorized by Congress for establishment
here and 1t is urged that to let these mat
ters drop now. or be taken up by another
officer, who will necessarily have to go over
the same ground. means a heavy financial
loss and an indefinite delay.
Action OF Business Men.
At meeting Of the board of directors of
the Business Mems Association held yes
terday afternoon resolutions of regret at
the proposed relief of Capt. Beach We're
passed and forwarded at once to the Presi.
dent. In these resolutions it was stated
that the directors of the association, num-
bering large proportion of the business
community of this city, learned. with the
deepest regret, of the order transferring
Capt Lansing II. Beach, Engineer Com
missioner of the District of Columbia from
his present post of duty; and it is the sense
of the board that Commissioner Beach has
evinced throughout his service a faithful,
jealous and impartial regard for the well
fare and interests of the citizens of Wash
ington.
The resolutions further recite that it is
the opinion of the board of directors. act
ing without any desire whatsoever to re-
fleet upon the high abilities and unques-
toned attainments Of the officer named to
succeed Commissioner Beach, that the re-
moval Of Commissioner Beach at this time,
when so much work of great concern to the
public welfare has been inaugurated under
his direction, aid particularly such import.
ant improvements are under way and
are contemplated in sidewalk, street
and sewer system. and in variety of OF her
projects to which he has given his unremit-
ting attention and careful supervision.
would work an irreparable injury TO the
taxpayers OF the District Of Columbia.