Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-02
Mr.. Macfarland in Doubt
About Accepting.
PERSON AL REASONS
NEW TERM BEGINS EITHER ON
FIFTH OR NINTH.
The Question Being Given Careful Con-
sideration-To Reach Deci-
sion Shortly.

The fact developed today that there is
grave doubt as to whether Commissioner
Macfarland will accept his disappointment
and continue to serve on the board Of Dis
trict Commissioners.
Mr.. Macfarland's first term as a Com
missioner of the District OF Columbia ex-
pires next Tuesday, the 9th instant AS he
was appointed for a term of three years,
however and was not sworn in until May
g. 1900 1t is possible that his first term of
office may not be considered to be at an end
until the 9th instant, which is next Sat
urday, one week from today.
Under date of March > last MI. Macfar-
land received from President Roosevelt a
commission as Commissioner of the Dis
trict for another term of three years.
From the time of the announcement that
the President had appointed Mr.. Macfar-
land for another term as Commissioner. 1t
has been taken for granted that he would
accept the office and continue as the pre-
siding officer of the District board.
Mr.. Macfarland as a matter of fact, how
ever, has at no time intimated that such
would be the case. He was naturally very
much gratiied at the action of the Pres1-
dent and regarded his reappointmert in
the nature of a fattering Endorsement of
his work as Commissioner during the past
three years He thanked Mr.. Roosevelt
most sincerely for tie compliment.
1t is stated today, however that there
is very great doubt as to Mr. Macfar-
lands continuance in office.
1t Is known that he is seriously consid-
ering the matter, but has not yet reached
a decision.
The rumor that Mr. Macfarland was con-
sidering the advisability of declining the
second term has reached some of his
friends and the result has been circular
letter, signed by prominent men OF affairs
Of ,l.aa y-oiro thn
missioner to serve for another three years.
Since the first announcement of his re-
appointment and in company with the con-
gratulations heaped upon him Mr.. Macfar-
land has received letters expressing the
hope that he would see fit TO continue in
the Office he has so creditably filed since
May, 1900.
1t is said that something in the nature of
a crisis has arisen in Mr.. Macfarlands ca
reer He must decide between continuing
in the public service for another term, or
must return to the work he left when he
first accepted the appointment rendered
him personally at the hands OF President
Mckinley.
Mr.. Macfarland feels that his personal af-
fairs are in need of his attention more seri-
ously now than ever before. His Journals
tic career, although not entirely abandoned
has suffered since he assumed the Commits
sionership He has retained a connection
with his home paper, the Boston Herald,
and has directed as far as posslple the
Washington bureau of that journal. His
double labors in this way have at times
proved almost too much for him, especially
so during the past summer, when Commits
sioner Ross long illness was followed by
mis- death and delay of several months in
the appointment of his successor.
During all this time Commissioner Mac
farland remained at his office, looking after
the affairs of the local government, missing
entirely a summer vacation or respite from
work At the time of Mr.. Ross Illness and
nj Engineer Com
missioner was abroad, having gone as
military aid to Gen. Wilson, one of the
American ENJOYS to the coronation of King
Edward. Mr.. Macfarland was the only
Commissioner in Washington for many
weeks.
National politics are becoming more and
more important each day. A presidential
election is not far off. Mr.. Macfarland feels
in way that he should devote his time to
his paper to q great extent during this pc
riod if he is to continue in newspaper work.
Mr.. Macfarland has never had desire
for public office 1t Is well l-knoWn fact
that he accepted the commssionership
three years ago at personal sacrifice. His
appointment came as a distinct surprise
to the community, well as to himself
Mr.. Mckinley had long admired Mr.. Mac
farland and the President one day asked
him If he would not a personal favor ac-
cept appointment as District Commissioner.
There was some contention over the office
between other candidates at the time. Mr.
Macfarland considered the matter and
finally accepted. He entered office few
officials have ever done He was sought
for the place, and was entirely untram-
meled as to favors accepted or obligations
due anyone.
With such an auspicious beginning his ad-
lninistra ton has been a most successful
one He soon won the confidence and es-
TEEN of the people of the District few
Commissioners had done before him, and
there was a general hope that he would
be appointed to succeed himself at the end
of his first three years In office.
In the same nature as the first appoint
ment, came the announcement in February
! last that President Roosevelt had sent to
| the Senate the nomination of Mr.. Macfar-
land to be Commissioner for three years
| from May 5, 1903. or until such time as his
successor should be appointed. Every one
| applauded the Presidents decision. There
| had been no thought of any other man for
| where regarded as a splendid move by the
| President to tender the office anew to its
popular incumbent.
| The second appointment came entirely
without solicitat ton, the first had done.
The news that the Commissioner may de-
| eide not to accept the new appointment will
| create an undoubted stir in business, finan-
! cial and professional circles, and a refusal
| to serve would be a great disappointment
| to the community.
Mr.. Macfarland may reach decision
| within the next two or three days. He has
| had the matter under serious consdera ton
/ for several weeks, and is gathering together
| all the facts and considerations that should
| enter into the decision, and will reach a
| determination shortly.