Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-11

the service. Each officer has been on his
present station about six years, or much
longer than is usual in such assignments.
Bingham Appointed by Mckinley.
Major Bingham was detailed to his pres
ent office by President Mckinley in March,
1897, as the successor of General John M.
Wilson, appointed chief of engineers While
so serving Major Bingham was military
aid to President Mckinley up to the time
of his death and to President Roosevelt up
to the present time.
He was appointed to the Military Acad-
emy from Connecticut and was graduated
No. in the class of 1879. Prior to coming
to Washington he served as military at
tache to United States legations at Berlin
and Rome from January, 1880, to October,
1894
In the year following he had charge OF
the Improvement of the Tennessee river,
and from September 1885, to March, 1896,
he was on duty at the engineer School at
Willet's Point, N. Y.
He is an officer of energy and ability, and
his administration of the office of COM
missioner of public buildings and grounds
has resulted in many radical and enduring
improvements. He is best known to the
public in his capacity of master Of cere-
monies at all state and social functions at
the White House.
At all formal receptions at the White
House he stood at the Presidents left hand
and introduced each of the visitors by name
to the President. By virtue of his Office in
this city he has the rank, pay and emolu-
ments Of a colonel in the army.
symons' Army Service.
Major Symons, who succeeds to these
duties with the similar advantages of a
colonel of the line, is a native of New
York, but was appointed to the Military
Academy from Michigan. He graduated
No. l in the class of 1874. five years ahead
of Col. Bingham
After short service with the Engineer
Battalion at Wilets Point he served as
assistant engineer on explorations west of
the Tooth meridian, under Lieut.. Wheeler,
from 1876 to 1879.
He was next engineer officer of the De-
partment of Columbia and constructed mill
tary roads to prevent outbreaks on the
part of Sauk and Shagit Indians. From De-
cember, 1882, to June, 1883. he was on
duty with the Mississippi river commission
and afterward served under the State De-
partment in the reconnaissance Of the Mex
lean boundary He is especially we'll
known to the people Of the District Of CO.
lumbia from his service as assistant engi-
and from his services as assistant to the
Engineer Commissioner Of the District
from June, 1856, to November 4, 1889.
Transferred to Portland.
From this city he was transferred to
Portland, Oregon. where he had charge of
river and harbor improvements in Oregon.
Washington, Idaho and Montana until Oc-
tober. 1895. when he was transferred %
duty at Buffalo During his station in that
city he served as engin acr Of the 10th
lighthouse district. and mads an examina-
ton and report on the problem Of a ship
canal from the great lakes to The sea.
This action Of the War Department is
based upon the recommendation of Cen
eral Gillespie, chief of eng .neers, approved
by President Roosevelt. bv whose direction
the necessary orders have been issued The
change will take effect Juna l.