Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-27
A DIFFICULT SOLUTION
WHO SHALL BE SUPERINTEND-
EMIT OF THE BUILDINGp
A Question to Be Settled by Secre-
taries Root, Taft and Bona
parte.

The settlement of an interesting question
awaits the return to Washington of Sec
rotary Root and Secretary Taft Secre-
tary Root is enjoying a brief vacation fish,
ing In the waters of Labrador and Secre-
tary Taft is about concluding his triumphaI
tour through the Philippine archipelago.
Secretary Root is expected to assume the
active control of the business of the State
Department about the middle of next
month. Secretary Taft will return to this
city early in October. Together with Mr.
Bonaparte, Secretary of the Navy the
other two secretaries will be called upon to
select superintendent of the State War
and Navy Departments building Because
Of the peculiar features of the case this
appointment can be made only by the joint
action of the three secretaries.
Two Candidates.
Rear Admiral George W. BairdU. s. N,
retired. who has efficiently performed the
duties of superintendent for several years
past. has asked to be relieved. He made
application to that effect several months
ago. but action In the matter has been de-
layed because Of a difference of opinion
between the War and Navy departments
as to his successor. The War Department
favors the appointment of an engineer off,
Ger of the army. preferably Col. Charles
8. Bromwell. the officer in charge Of public
buildings and grounds, while the Navy De-
partment favors the appointment of an Of
flcer Of the navy, preferably Commander
w. w. White. U. s. N. retired Several
weeks ago Commander White was detailed
to duty as assistant to the superintendent
with view to his ultimate appointment
as superintendent. but objection was made
to his appointment to the latter office by the
War Department. The matter was sub
mitted to the State Department for settle
ctcf1 vt 0env tor a n On
who was then acting as secretary, declined
to interfere, and suggested that action be
deferred until the return of Secretary Root.
1t was finally concluded to allow matters
to continue in statue quo until Secretaries
Root, Taft and Bonaparte could meet to-
gether and decide the question involved
Under the law the appointment Is con-
fined to the engineer department of the
army and navy Heretofore 1t has always
been filled by a naval engineer officer. The
contention Is now made that the personnel
law practically abolished the engineer de-
partment of the navy and consequently
officers of the navy are no longer eligible
for the place. In the course OF the contro-
yersy between the War and Navy DEPART
ments respecting this appointment, various
conflicting opinions have been rendered Dy
the Judge advocates general of the army
and navy as to the eligibility OF retired
officers and of active officers OF either
branch of the service. The opinions IN eacH
case were favorable to the contentious OF
the respective departments and were not
deemed conclusive.
Root to Have Deciding Vote.
In the existing deadlock between the
secretaries of the war and navy as 10
whether. the next superintendent shall be
an officer of the army or navy, 1t VIII de-
solve upon Mr.. Root as Secretary OF state
as the third party in interest, to cast the
deciding vote and settle the point In con,
troversy Meanwhile Admiral Baird VIII
continue to discharge the duties OF super
intendent until the three cabinet ofhcers
get together next OCTOBER and reach de-
cisiOn