Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-01
Col. G. s. Bromwen Succeeds
Col. Symons.
GOES TO WHITE HOUSE
IS FORMALLY PRESENTED TO
THE PRESIDENT.
Drives About the City to View the
Works That Will Be Under His
Control-His Career.

The change in the off1ce1of the superin-
tendent of public buildings and grounds,
announced in The Star several weeks ago,
took effect this morning. when Colonel
Thomas w. Symons, Corps of Engineers.
transferred the office to Colonel Charles
Summers Bromwell, Corps of Engineers.
There was no special ceremony about the
transfer and no interference with the
routine of business.
Colonel Bromwell arrived here from his
former station at New Orleans late yes
terday afternoon and reported his arrival
to General Mackenzie, chief of engineers,
with whom he had long conference re-
garding the duties of his new Office, which
it was arranged he should assume this
morning. He also called on Colonel
Symons last evening and by agreement
met him at the Office of the superintendent
of public buildings and grounds In the
Lemon Building this morning and formal
ly relieved him of the duties of that office
Colonel Symons explained the condition OF
affairs and took his successor on long
drive about the city to show him the con-
dition of the various works placed In ms
charge, and also accompanied him to the
White House. where he was formally pre-
sented to the President, with whom his
official relations will be close and intimate.
Col Bromwelps Career.
Colonel Bromwell, the new superintendent
of public buildings and grounds. was porn
In Kentucky, May /. 1850. and appointed to
the Military Academy from Ohio In July,
1885. He was graduatSd Mo- in the class
of June, 1880, and appointed an additional
second lieutenant In the Corps Of Engineers.
After three years service under fnstruc-
ton at the Engineer School of Application,
second Lieutenant, Corps of Engineers, May
49, 1898, and assigned to duty at west
Point with Company E, Battalion OF Engi-
neers and as assistant Instructor OF prac-
tical and military engineering at the Mill
tary Academy HeAremained on that sta-
ton until May, 1893. meanwhile having
been promoted first lieutenant, and was
then ordered to duty at st. Louis. under
the orders Of Major Hand ury.
During his two years detail at St Louis
he was on detached duty, locating the
boundaries of the Yellowstone National
Park. From April tosAugust. 1S9S, he was
nah harbor, under Captain Gillette, and
was next transferred to duty at Boston,
Mass, where he had local charge Of the
construction of defensive works at Fort
Warren and at Long island Head. In I9Oo
he was transferred to this city, and served
as assistant to the chief of engineers until
September, 19o2 when he was placed In
charge of various river and harbor works
in Louisiana, Mississippi ana Texas. with
headquarters at New Orleans, He was on
that duty when se1ected by the President
to fill the vacancy eccaHioned by the ap-
pointment Of Colonel Symons as member
of the New York canal board. He reached
the grade of captain in February, 1901, and
still retains that rank in the regular estab-
lishment, but while holAlhg the office OF
superintendent of public buildings and
grounds he will have the rank. pay and
allowances of a colonel. He is son of
ex-Representative BrOmweil of the Gin
cinnati district, and his vile is the daugh-
ter of Mrs. Scott a terao4 -ex-Vfce Prest-
dent Stevenson Of Illinois.
Col. Bromwelps New Duties.
Under his new assignment, Col Bromwell
will be the principal military aid of the
President and will act as master OF cere-
| monies at state and social functions at the
White House. He is tall and handsome,
and typical soldier in his manner and
bearing, besides being the youngest man
who has ever held the responsible and con-
spicuous position Of superintendent OF pub
lie buildings and grounds
The character and extent OF the otner
duties of Col. Bromwell are officially stated
as follows:
In charge OF the preservation, care and
safety OF buildings occupied by the War
Department In the District of Columbia; OF
government telegraph line connecting the
| Capitol with the various departments and
| the government sprfnting once; Of the por-
| ton OF Potomac Park between the tidal
reservoir and the Washingt0n Monument
grounds and 18th street and Virginia ave
| 18th street southwest; AZ tie banks OF the
! EA6t0unAc river ff0m IN unrth un0 Of t0l