Evening star., 1901-02-15
CAPT. GA'ALAR7BD B DETACHED
ENGINEkR COMMISSIONER
t-aE T. -
ASSIGNEDrTO OTHER DUTIES.
Transfer of the Omeier II Regarded ~
"a -
Tftbute to- Hts
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tIAbilittes.~ ys '.,fl -.rs

An order wasdssued by the War Depart
ment today which makes an important
change in the 5pgineef department of the
District government, 1t provides for the
detachment of Capt David Dub. Gaillard.
corps Of engineers, from further duty as
assistant to the ~Engtneer Commissioner to
the District and his assignment to duty In
charge of important river and harbor
works in the states of Minnesota. Wfscon-
sin and Michigan. These works include the
Improvement Of the harbors of Duluth, Su-
perior. Grand Marais, Agate Bay, Ashland,
ontonagon. Marquette and Presque Isle
Point. the Improvement OF the waterway
across Keweenaw Point. Lake Superior and
the operation and care Of the Portage Lake
ship canals. These improvements nave
heretofore beenL in charge of Maj. -Clnton
B. Sears. corps of engineers, VINO IS no"
under orders to.proceed to- Guam and Ma
Mia, to Superintend important engineering
works. .s..5 = - .-.--.-
Tribute to Attachments.
Although the change will result in de-
cided loss toathe District, where Capt Call
lard Is performing valuable and important
work, his transfer to7the station at Duluth
in practically independent command anu Is
undoubtedly in. the nature of promotlon.
That station has never before been IN
rank of major, and the selection OF capt.
Gaillard. who stands number twelve IN ms
grade. to that post, Is a high tribute TO MS
record and ability as an engineer officer.
The change of stations was made on the
recommendation of General Wilson. chier
of engineers, who has high personal re-
gard for the abilities of Captain Galilard
Owing to the very much enlarged neid d
work devolving upon the corps or engineers
in consequence of the operations In the
Philippines, the requirement Of Porto Rico
ana Guam and the occupation Of Cuba, the
War Department is somewhat embarrassed
in the assignment Of officers to river ana
harbOr works In the United States.
No one has vet been selected to succeed
Captain Gaillard at the District building.
but it is expected that an assignment Of
that kind will be made in a short time
General Wilson said today that while the
corps was somewhat Short-handed. t--ere
is no intention to reduce the number of ofi-
GERS required for the necessary work Of the
District, and that another assistant to En-
gineer Commissioner Beach will be detailed
as soon as an available officer can be Sc
cured.
Expressions of Regret.
Captain Gailard became assistant to the
Engineer Commissioner, Captain Beach, the
18th of September. 1899. and it is doubtful
If any official Of the municipality ever
made more agreeable impression upon
his official associates or upon the public.
When 1t became known this afternoon
that he was to be detached every one at
the District building, from, the Commission
ers down to the humblest employe, had
only words of regret, for his departure, and
words of highest praise for his courteous
stances, as well as for the thorough and in
tellgent manner in which he has conducted
the work asslgnfa to bim.
Capt. Gaillard left yesterday for his home
In South CaroliIta expecting to be absent
of
him today Capt; Beach.sad: II awfuly
scrry to lose Capt Gai{lard. and | am sure
every one who Knows Of his work here will
agree with me that his' departure will be a
real loss to the District,
to Capt. Gallfara, requires a knowledge of
District affairs which cannot be quickly
acquired, but he came''to this work from
service in the. office Of the. Washington
aqueduct, and was, therefore, quite we'll
acquainted with DISTRICT matters and with
the people Of the District.
This acquaintance has been evidenced in
his work here atzzthe District building, and
Of its thoroughness ana hf the efficiency ne
displayed I Cannot speak to6 highly. He
was at all times a most COURTEOUS gentle
man. and Willie he Is going to most i'm
portant position he will relfnquish here one
which he did much to make no less I'm
portant. l regret his departure exceedingly,
as am sure every one else here VIII"
Similar Views.
Commissioner Macfarand, the president
of the board of District Commissioners
said that he had learned of Captain Gall
lard's detachment with great sorrow. Last
summer. when Captain Gailard was act
Ing Engineer Commissioner, said Mr.. Mac
farand, he had occasion to closely OBJ
serve him and his work, and soon saw that
he was a man of fine abilities, excellent
judgment and unvarying courtesy. There
fore he deeply regretted his departure
Commissioner Ross spoke In a similar
strain, adding that Captain Gaillard is a
most efficient man and a most courteous
gentleman, because Of whose departure ev-
eryone will be sorry.