The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-10-15
COMMISSIONER WEST
MEETS COLLEAGUES
Presents Credentials and
Prepares to Take Oath
BEGINS DUTIES THURSDAY
One of First Acts Will Be the Signing
Ct Lcng Delayed Improve
ment Contracts.

Henry Litchfeid West. the newly APP
pointed Commissioner Of the District
called upon his colleagues yesterday aft
ernoon at o'clock and presented his
credentials of office. He called upon
Commissioner Macfarland, president Of
the board. first, where A. B. DUvall
corporation counsel, was awaiting him.
After a few minutes chat with the
two gentlemen, Mr.. West came out into
the ante-room of Mr.. Macfarlands Of
fee and was introduced to E. G. Davis,
collector of taxes; Warner Stutler. SUI
perintendent of street cleaning: II. H.
Darneilie, the assessor, and DR.. William
Tindall secretary to the board.
Mr.. Darneille. administrator of the es-
tate Of John w Ross. presented Mr..
West with the gold police badge worn
by the late Commissioner, which en-
titles him to entry within the lines at
any time and place where police re-
strictions are observed. As he received
the token Mr.. West laughingly asked:
do have to give bond for this also?''
He was assured by Mr.. Darneille that
he was only expected to wear the badge
during his term of office and 10 hand it
on to his successor.
MFR. West then called upon Commits
sioner Biddle. where he chatted about
the business of the municipal govern
ment for half an hour. Mr.. West was
taken into his office by DIR. Tindall and
shown where his duties will begin.
Takes Oath Thursday.
According to the arrangements COM
pleted yesterday, Mr.. West will take
the oath of office at a session of the
board on Thursday afternoon at 2:30
O'Clock. AT that time the heads of de-
partments and the District employees will
be presented TO the new Commissioner.
Everything is in readiness for the IN
duction of the new Commissioner into
office. He will take the Offices formerly
occupied by Commissioner Ross on the
fifth floor of the District Building 1t is
understood that the departments of The
government presided over by Commits
sioner Ross will be turned over to Mr.
West by Commissioner Macfarlaad. who
has had supervision over them since MIR.
Ross was taken i'll last July. Louis
Wilson Will be the official secretary to
Commissioner West, and Alfred Moss
his messenger
Ceremony of Swearing In.
The ceremony of swearing in the new
Commissioner will be conducted by DR..
William Tindaii, secretary to the Board
who is notary. The oath is the usual
formula administered to officials of the
United States Government and of the
District of Columbia. The Commits
sioncr will take oath TO support and de-
fend the Constitution against all enc
mics, foreign and domestic. to bear
true faith and allegiance TO the same
and to faithfully discharge the duties
pertaining to his office.
The oath Of all the Commissioners of
the District heretofore has been taken
upon time-worn and dust-stained copy
Of The Bible, grown sacred with long as
sociations. This volume may be used
again, but DR.. Tindall announced yester-
day that he had procured a new Bible.
fresh from the press, which Would be
used unless some preference should be
expressed for the old Bible. He thought