Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-29
TENDERS RESIGNATION
Mr.. Stutler Retires From
Street Cleaning Dept.
MAKES STATEMENT
STATEMENT
NOT SURPRISED AT DECISION OF
COMMISSIONERS.
Says "High District ofaciar' Desired to
Get Him Out Of
Office.

as superintendent of the street cleaning de-
partment this afternoon. He asks that 1T
take effect at once. This request Will be
granted, on the recommendation Of Com
missioner mcfarland. 1t had been an
nounced that Mr.. Stutler would not take
this action, but after a consultation with
his counsel he changed his mind.
Mr.. Stutler, in a statement given OUT
charges that he was forced out of Office by
a certain high official of the District gov
eminent and certain financial interests in
the District who were interested In con-
tracts" under his supervision.
Warner Stutler, superintendent of the
street cleaning department. this afternoon
rendered to the District Commissioners MS
resignation las superintendent of the de-
partment as was requested by the Commis
sioners in their verdict in the Stutler case,
announced last Tuesday night. Mr.. Stutier
asked that his resignation take erect at
once, and Commissioner mcfarland, pres
ident of the board of Commissioners, I'M
mediately upon receipt Of the resignation
recommended to his associates on the Doaro
that 1t be accepted.
1t had been predicted that Mr.. Stutler
would not comply with the request OF Inc
Commissioners and tender his resignation,
move him, After considering the matter
more carefully, however, and after consult
ing with his attorneys, Messrs. Cole & Dom
aldson, and number of his frtends, MI.
Stutier decided to hand in his resignation.
The reports circulated within the past
few days implying that Mr.. Stutler pro-
posed to prefer charges against Commits
sioner Henry L. West, whom Mr.. Stutler
fntfmated was in a conspiracy to secure
his removal, have not as yet been verified.
When asked by a reporter for The Star to-
day II he intended to prefer charges
against Commissioner West. Mr.. 3tutler
matter. He did say, however. that he has
not up to this time preferred any charges
against the Commissioner.
In a statement made to The Star report
er relative to the verdict Of the Commits
sioners. Mr.. Stutler declares that his re-
moval is the result of fight to get BIN
out Of office. 1t is believed that the ref
erence to a certain high official In the
District government" refers to Commits
sioner West.
Statement by His Friends.
1t has been stated by friends Of Mr.. Slut
Ter that when Congress reassem6les reso-
luton will be introduced in the Senate de-
handing an investigation Of certain
branches of the District government.
Either Congress or the President may order
an investigation of any of the Commission
ers. 1t is stated that the last general in
vestigation of a high official of the District
was begun In 1872 and concluded in 1874.
when the late Governor Alexander Shepherd
and the board Of public works were under
investigation by Congress-
When asked for a statement relative to
his resignation and the verdict of the
Commissioners Mr.. Stutler said:
Pursuant to the verdict OF the Com
missioners. and under the advice Of my
attorneys, Messrs. Cole C Donaldson, and
some Of my friends. whom / have con-
CJI1 I
the Commissioners my resignation as super
intendent of the street cleaning depart
ment of the District of Columbia to take
effect at once.
in reference to the verdict reached by the
Commissioners, except to say that under
the evidence they could have arrived at
no other result than to exonerate me from
all the charges brought by Royal Robin
son.
Caused Him No Surprise.
'The latter part of the verdict, in which
they request my resignation. notwithstand-
ing the fact that they acquitted me of all
the charges, is somewhat strange. but it Is
not particularly surprising to me, as l have
known all along that the fight to get me
out of the office was inspired and encour-
aged by certain high official OF the Dis
trict government and certain financial in
terests in the District. who were interested
in contracts under my supervision
LAS long as l occupied the office of SUPER
intendent of street cleaning 1 declined to
permit any of these parties interested in
contracts to draw any public moneys for
work not done by them, and in a great
many instances it was necessary for me to
make frequent complaints against these in
terests. which were friendly and close to
the official referred to, and the attack made
upon me and the investigation which fol-
lowed was the direct result of my attitude
toward these financial interests dealing
with the government. and my retirement is
the direct outcome of the situation.
I'm your judgment. will there be any
congressional investigation as the result
of these matters?" Mr.. Stutler was asked.
THE things to which refer" he replied.
ARE well known to other officials of the
District government, and officials Of the
general government, and 1 have no knowl-
edge of what the outcome will be. I do
not desire nor shall l attempt to assume
the role of private prosecutor OF any off,
cial. That Is duty which falls upon
those In official authority
Further than this statement Mr.. StutIer
declined to discuss the matter of the re-
ported congressional investigation Of Dis
trict affairs. 1t is believed, however, that
Mr. Stutler does not intend to let the mat
ter drop where it is, and there Is per-
sistent rumor afioat to the effect that in
fluential friends of Mr.. Stutler in Congress
propose to call for further investigate
Mr.. stidham Not Yet Notified.
OWinS 10 the departure from the city last
evening Of Commissioner West, the Com
missioners have not as yet officially notified
Mr.. Harrison Stidham, who is now in New
York city. of his appointment as superin-
tendent of street cleaning. The Commits
sioners. however, have indicated to Mr.
Stidham's friends In this city that they
desire to see him, and 1t is thought likely
that he Will come to Washington within a
few days and confer with the officials His
appointment to the place Is assured, pro-
viding he desires to accept the position.
Mr.. John T. Twohey, who for a number of
years has served in the capacity of assis-
tant superintendent of the street cleaning
department, was not an applicant for the
position of superintendent to succeed Mr.
Stutier. Mr. Twohey is a lawyer by pro-
fesion. and is native of Vermont. He has
acted as superintendent Of the DEPART
ment on numerous occasions during the
absence of Mr.. Stutler, and the Commits
sioners state that he has given highly
satisfactory service while acting as the
head Of the department
Since Mr.. Twohey was not an applicant
for the position. he was not considered for
the appointment, and 1t is understood he
had no desire to assume the duties of the
nositfOn which fnv0lva arpopO otha,