The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-06-05
CLERK OF RAILWAY COMMISSION
MAY COME FROM SOME TRAF.
FIG DEPARTMENT
Said That F. w. Graham, TRAVELLING
Auditor Of the Great Northern,
Will Be the One.

The new railroad commission is apt
to choose railroad man as its secre-
| tary, seeking an experienced official
to aid them in practical work that
must be handled by some member Of
the organization. If a railroad man is
chosen, one will be taken from the
traffic department Of one of the lines
and subordinate official would have
to be chosen, is the report that comes
from Seattle.
1t is declared by politicians close to
the governor and H. A. Fairchild, who
| will be the dominant factor on the
! board, that F. w. Graham, travelling
| freight agent for the Great Northern.
has been considered and will be Of
fered the position. Mr.. Graham is now
| in the office of John A. Miller, the
! Great Northern's freight agent in Sc
attic.
Graham's appointment would not
or those familiar with the circum-
stances. He was at one time the
Great Northerns station agent at
Bellingham, and, knew Governor Mead
in that city. He Is also acquainted
with Harry Fairchild, and the need of
practical railroad experience by some
member Of the commission or it's en-
ployes, would be supplied by Mr.. Ora
hams selection.
Program of FairehiId. )
The program of Harry Fairchild.
which contemplates a visit to those
states which have a railroad commits
sion may be carried out. He left Bel
bingham several days ago, and it was
announced that he was going to Cali
fornia to study the railroad commits
sion, may be carried out. He left Bel
until about June 8. A list of guests
at the Lewis and Clark exposition
opening, gives Mr.. Fairchild's name,
and the two stories do not harmonic.
The appointment of a practical man
as secretary to the railroad commits
sion would bring keen disappointment
to the Rev. H. D. Crawford, confiden-
tial adviser to the executive and keeper
of the Wilson interests in Thurston
county. He also publishes the G. ].
Lord organ in the capital, and when
not busy protecting the banker from
the loss of state deposits, exercises
supervision over the state printers Of
fee. The fact that he was once of
the clergy gives politicians a wide
range for opinion.
Crawford acquired something more
than local notoriety by conducting an
Ankeny organ in Aberdeen. j. H.
yesterday, who is to head the tax
commission, was Senator Ankeny's at
torney when it became necessary to
settle the Ankeny interests in the pa
per. Subsequently, the Rev. Mr.. Craw-
ford had a brief newspaper experience
in which Ed Benn of Aberdeen and
Tacoma publisher, figured.
Busy at Olympia.
Shortly before the legislature con-
vened the Rev. Mr.. Crawford appear
ed at Olympia, took over publication
in that city and rushed to the defense
of Senator Wilson and c. J. Lord. He
had a busy time of it during the ses-
sion when he assumed the burden of
making the defense of E. w. Ross. and
now, with other tasks off his hands,
he has become one of the volunteer
board of advisers for Governor Mead.
The Rev. Mr.. Crawford wants the
Job as secretary to the railroad COM
mission and relying upon his past sue
cesses with the executive, has been
counting it among mis- assets. There
is a great deal in the selection of the
the executive is personally choosing
his men for the organization of that
body, and that Crawford has been en-
couraged to believe that he would be
placed. The acquisition of this berth
would give the ex-minister strong
voice in administration affairs and
good share of the financial returns
for the various offices.
A mystery still unsolved that might
affect the organization Of the clerical
force of the railroad commission is the
promise said to have been given "Jac
Payne of Chinook, when he was turn
ed down for state printer. 1t was as
serted at the time that $4,000 bert9
would be found for MIN by July l, and
the railroad commission is the onl'
thing that leaves such a position OPEN
Weds Railway Masnate's Son.