Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-02
MERIT AND FITNESS
Recognized in MIR. Macfar-
lands disappointment.
CAME AS A SURPRISE
AS PRESENT TERM DOES NOT Elk
PRE- UNTIL NEXT MAY.
Presidents Early Action Meets With
Approval Of Every one-Many
Congratulations.
CAME AS A SURPRISE

President Roosevelt. late Saturday after
noon sent to the Senate the nomination OF
Henry b. F. Mcfarland to be Commis-.
sioner of the District Of Columbia for a
term OF three years. beginning May next.
At that time Commissioner Macfariands
present term Of Office will expire.
The appointment Of Mr.. Mcfarland to
succeed himself Is exceedingly gratifying
to all the residents OF the District OF CO.
lumbia who have watched his able admin
tration Of the affairs Of the community
during the past three years Mr.. Macfar-
land soon won the confidence Of the people
by the repeated illustrations Of his execu-
tive ability. The compliment of a second
term Is the highest the President could be-
stow. -
The nomination Of Mr. Macfarland at this
time came as distinct surprise. There
was coterie. close to the ear of the chief
executive. who had become acquainted with
his intention to name the Commissioner to
succeed himself for another three years, but
that he would act so soon no one suspected.
This action on the part Of President
Roosevelt indicates quite conclusively that
the appointment was made entirely on his
own Judgment in the matter. The appoint
ment at this time came as a complete sur
prise to Commissioner Mcfarland himself.
His First Appointment.
It is well remembered that when he was
appointed in May 1900, for his first term by
President Mckinley the executive. action
was in the nature of surprise to the COM
munity, as well as to Mr.. Mcfarland. The
appointment came; without suggestion or
solicitation on the part Of his friends. Mr..
Mckinley prevailed upon Mr.. Macfarland
to accept the office The present appoint
1aV,f ty, hos no ArSf
Mr.. Mcfarland had not seen President
Roosevelt on this matter until he called at
the White House today to make his ac-
acknowledgements Of the honor conferred on
him.
The President assured Mr.. Macfarland, in
the presence of q number of other callers,
that he had never contemplated taking any
other action, and thought that the District
was to be congratulated on securing the
continued services of man so thoroughly
in touch with It's needs and people. The
President has always had a high esteem
for Mr.. Mcfarland, tand looks upon him as
a most meritoriouS and useful public off,
cial. ~ SH
On his arrival at Gthe District building this
morning Commissioner Mcfarland found
In his mail numerousaetters of congratula-
tons. They came from the rich and poor,
the influential and the uninf1uentiaI alike
all congratulating him upon the compliment
or his reappointmenti and expressing the
hope that he would see his way clear to
was constantly filled with callers who had
come to express like sentiments.
What Mr.. Macfarland Has Done.
The general interests of the District of
Columbia have engaged much of Commits
sioner Macfarland's $, attention. although he
has taken full part In all the work of the
board Of Commissioners and exercised close
supervision over the departments of the
District government assigned to him.
The Improvement of the District in all
it's phases and the arrangement of the
District finances upon business-like basis
have been the two special objects OF his
efforts president Of the board Of Com
missioners before Congress.
The filtration plant, sewage-disposal sys-
tenn, railway-terminal legislation INCLUDING
the abolition Of grade crossings), District
government building and all the other ex-
traordinary projects of improvement, have
divided his chief attention with plans for
properly financing the Districts obligations
under them, so as to distribute the burden,
instead Of having it fall entirely upon the
present time by being met out of current
revenues, with the inevitable result Of re-
ducing current appropriations.
Senate Park Commission Project.
Commissioner Macfarland has also given
hearty cooperation and support to the
Senate park commission project for the de.
velopment Of the park system Of the Dis
trict of Columbia and the Identification Of
Washington, which was the direct out.
growth Of the national capital centennial
celebration. and includes the proposed me-
mortal bridge across the Potomac to
Arlington, which he has steadily advocated.
AS president Of the board Of Commission
ers Mr.. Macfariand has represented the
District of Columbia on many important
occasions, notably in the celebration OF the
centennial of the District of Columbia in
December, 1900: at the second Inaugural
ton Of President Mckinley: in the cele-
bration OF District day. September g. 1901;
at the Pan-American exposition at Buffalo;
In making the arrangements. with the Sec
rotary Of State, the Secretary Of WaI and
the Secretary of the Navy, for the funeral
Of President Mckinley.
He has acted as chairman Of the national
capital centennial committee; chairman of
the national committee Of governors to
promote the change of Inauguration day;
president of the William Mckinley Ma
tional Memorial Arch Association; rresi-
dent of the Washington Public Library
building commission, and president Of the
Rock Creek Park board of control
Orator on Many Occasions.
He has been orator Of the District on
many occasions, notably at the White
House on December r. 1900, the District
centennial day: at, Buffalo on District of
Columbia day; to welcome the Grand Army
Of 1902, and to welcome many other gath
erings and national conventions meeting In
Washington. also at the ceremonies Of be-
ginning or dedicating public buildings, es-
pecially those for public schools
He presided at the William Mckinley me-
mortal exercises, at the opening of the
Washington Public Library, and upon other
occasions. He has lettured at Columbian
University and at the Catholic University of
Commiss,oner Nacfarland has had ,rue-
date supervision Of the board Of education,
the Board Of Charities, the Board of Chill
dren's Guardians the excise board, the
board Of medical superyisors. the pharmacy
board, the fire department, the Insurance
department. the electrical department, the
health department the harbor and river
department the cero1er's office, the inspec-
ton Of weights and measures, the markets
and some minor offices. besides all duties Of
the board not otherwise assigned.
Boards of Education and Charities.
The board of ssaucal,on and board of
charities came into being on the LIST of
July. 1900 He selected the members of the
board Of education. and recommended to the
President the members of the board of
charities.
He reerganized the administration of the
fire department and provided 1t with a bust