The Washington times., 1904-12-29
STUTLER RESIGNS.
SENDS LETTER To
COMMISSIONERS
May Prefer Charges
Against Henry L.
West.
WILL LEAVE AT ONCE
Retiring Official Hints at
Conspiracy to Get Him
Out of Office.

| Warner Stutler, Superintendent of
Street Cleaning, this afternoon rendered
/ his resignation to the District Commits
/ sioners, TO take effect at once.
Commissioner Macfarland Immediately
! recommended that it be accepted:
At the same time Mr.. Sutler gave out
an interview in which he charges con-
spiracy on the part of several persons
whom he does not name TO force him
from Office.
He failed, however, today to an
| nounce what charges he would prefer
II any, in retaliation against Commits
! sioner Henry l. West who. he inti-
mated yesterday, was responsible for
his prosecution on charges of nalad-
ministration and blackmail preferred
by Royal Robinson.
May Prefer Charges.
This morning he said that as soon
as his resignation was accepted he
would prefer charges against Mr. West
anc that these charges would bepre-
sented TO the President. In his resig-
nation and his statement this afternoon
he makes no mention of these pro-
posed charges
Ihis morning also he hinted that
resolution would be introduced on the
floor of the Senate by one of his friends
authorizing an investigation of his
charges against Commissioner West by
subcommittee Of the Senate District
Committee.
This afternoon he announced that he
would not attempt TO assume the role of
private prosecutor of any official. deem
ing this duty which falls upon those
In an official authority
Mr- StutIe.'s Statement,
The statement made by Mr.. stutier
this afternoon followed a lengthy con-
su3tation with his attorneys, Cole &
Donaldson. and reads as follows:
Pursuant to the verdict of the Com
missioners, and under the advice of my
attorneys, Messrs. Cole and Donaldson.
and some of my friends, whom 1 have
consulted about the matter, l have
handed the Commissioners my resigna-
ticn as Superintendent of the Street
Cleaning Department Of the District of
Columbia. TO take effect at once
II do not care TO make any statement
in reference to the verdict reached bv
the Commissioners, except to say that
under the evidence they could have ar
rived at no other result than 10 exon
crate me from alt the charges brought
by Royal Robinson
A Strange Verdict
The latter part of the verdict. in
which they request my resignation. NOT
withstaading the fact that they ac-
quilted me of all the charges. is some
what strange, but 1t is not particular,
surprising 10 me, as / have known all
a{ong that the fight TO get me out of
the Office was inspired and encouraged
by certain high official of the Distrfct
government and certain financiaI inter
ests in the District VINO were interested
III contracts under my supervision.
AS long as / occupied the office of
Superintendent of Street Cleaning. 7 de-
clined to permit any of these parties
interested in contracts from drawino
any public moneys for work not done bv
them, and in great many instances #
was necessary for me to make freou,nt
complaints against these interests
which We're friendly and close to the
official referred to. and the attack made
upon me, and the Investigation which
followed, was the direct result of NV
attitude toward these financial interests
dealing with the Government and nv
retirement IS tke direct outcome of the
situation
Well-Known Facts.
In reference to his statements yester-
day and today that he intended to pre-
fer charses against Commissioner West
Mr.. Stutler said:
The things to which l refer are well
known to other officials of the general
Government, and l have no knowIe6ee
W hat he
desire, nor shall l attempt to assume
the role OF private prosecutor Of ary
oIIlcial That is a duty which falls upon
those IN official authority
Mr West Goes South.
COMMISSIONS West left Washington
hu -ricGIy last night. ACCOMPANIED bv- !
Mrs " est and MS family physician DIR
H l.. Z. Johnson, for Black Mountain
n. c, where his mother is reported as
seriously i'll. He may not return for
several days.
Mr. Shutters decision to resign rather |
than to await removal from office s11r- /
prised a number of people about the !
District building. His friends however /
Insist that his resignation under Dres-
sure viii not weaken his position when |
he makes the proposed charges against |
the Commissioner.
The tire allowed Mr. StutIer bv thei
commissioners in which TO resign ex-
pires at O'Clock this afternoon. 1t is |
believed his resignation will be accepted
70 take effect December 81 and that on {
Saturday at noon Warner Stutier will |
lock his desk and deliver the keys of /
the office which ne has occrrtc< as |
since 1897
Stidham VIII Succeed.
A anticipated in TIC Times yestel- |
day. Harrison Stidham, formerly assist |
ant superintendent of street cleaning I'm
New York city, viii probably assume |
the Office at once Owing 10 Commis- !
stoner Vests sudden departure he has |
not yet been notified of his appoir cent. |
hnXNeVer..