Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-15
SYMONS CANNOT SERVE
HOUSE COMMITTEE TURNS DOWN
PRESIDENTS REQUEST.
odell Wanted Officer for Work on New
York Canal Com
mission.

today, by a vote of 5 to 4, ordered that an
adverse report be made on the joint resoiu-
ton introduced in the House by Represen-
tative Alexander of New York, to enable
Colonel T. w. Symonds of the Engineer
Corps of the army to serve as a member OF
the advisory canal commission of New York
state.
Col. Symons is now serving as officer in
charge of public buildings and grounds. in
this city, and as such has charge of all
public functions at the White House, hav-
ing succeeded Col. Theodore A. Bingham in
that position. Prior to his assignment to
duty in this city he was in charge of United
States engineering work at Buffalo, and
while there became thoroughly acquainted
with. and took deep interest in, the plans
for the proposed barge canals. Believing
he would prove an invaluable member OF
the advisory canal commission, Gov. Odell
or New York urged upon President Roose-
Welt that the way might be cleared for him
to appoint Col Symons on the commission.
The matter was taken up with the War
Department and was at once favorably act
ed upon.
The law prevents officers of the army.
while on the active list, from accepting
civil appointments. It was, therefore.
agreed that legislation to enable Col. Sy-
mons to serve should be recommended to
Congress. Secretary Root made the rec
both branches of Congress with the an
nounced approval of the President The
proposed legislation took the form of joint
resolutions. introduced in the Senate by
Senator Depew and in the House by Rep
resentative Alexander. The resolution
passed the Senate without opposition.
Caused Lively Debate.
The matter came up for consideration be-
fore the House committee military af-
fairs this morning and was the subject of
an extended and lively debate among the
members. When vote was taken it was
found that four members favored the res
olution, while five were opposed to It,
Representative Prince of Illinois was di-
rected to prepare the adverse committee
report.
II Is stated that the adverse action of the
committee was based upon the principle
that the proposed legislation would estab-
lish bad precedent and that the able Off
GERS Of the army engineer corps would be
sought by many states and civil enterprises
| If Col. Symons were authorized to serve on
the New York canal commission.
| 1t was stated in committee that the pres
ent salary of Col. Symons in the army
amounts to about 5000 year. AS a mem
Der of the barge canal commission he
| would receive $500 additional. making his
| salary for the term of the service $11.50O a
! year. The committee claims there is no
precedent for the proposed legislation.
| There have been cases of officers taking
! leave of absence, and during such periods
| serving in civil capacities but there are
| no cases. 1t Is said. of an officer being re-
| tanned in active service and authorized at
| the same time to accept civil employment.
Short of Officers.
| The chief argument used by the oppo-
| nents Of the enabling resolution, however,
| was to tles effect that the engineer corps
is already short of officers. 1t was pointed
out that one of Secretary Roots last acts
| before leaving the War Department was
| to recommend to Congress that twenty
| five additional officers for the engineer
! corps be authorized. The Senate has al
| appropriation to provide for the additional
| complement. In the face of these facts
| the committee took the ground that the
! War Department was inconsistent In its
| recommendation that one of the most eff
! ficient officers in the corps shall be allowed
to accept outside appointment, and for the
! time being deprive the army Of hts serv-
| ices.
| The committee did not feel it would be
| justified in voting for an increase of the
| Engineer Corps, and at the same time
| agreeing to permit an officer of high rank
| in that corps to apply his talents else
| where.
| The fact that the President and the
| Secretary of War and Governor Odell
| were behind the resolution gave rise
| to the idea that no opposition could pos
| sibly develop in Congress- the House in
particular. How the adverse action will
| be received by the party leaders remains
| to be seen. 1t Is possible that sufficient
! support can be summoned in the House to
recommendation Of the committee having 1t
| in charRo