Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-20
LIEUT.. POOLE CHOSEN
Selected to Succeed Rear Admiral Baird
--0facer on the Retired List Held
to Be Ineligible.

A change has been made in the Office of
superintendent of the State. War and Navy
departments building by which First Lieu
tenant John II. Poole, Corps of Engineers
United States army succeeds Rear Admiral
George w. Baird. United States navy, re-
tired. Up to this time that Office has always
been filed by an officer of the navy, Ad-
miral Baird having succeeded Commodore
Thorn Williamson of the navy in that office
August 5, 1895. The only reason for a
change at this time is the failing health of
Admiral Baird. who has asked to be re-
leved in order that he may enjoy a season
of rest and recreation.
The appointment vests In commission
composed of the Secretaries of State. War
and Navy. After a thorough survey of the
field of available candidates that commits
sion has elected Lieut.. Poole to the vacancy.
Originally there were two nominations be-
fore the commission. Secretary Taft nOmi-
mated Lieut. Poole and Secretary Bonaparte
nominated Commander White retired Of
fcer OF the navy
Officer on Active List Required
There being some question as to the e.igi-
bility of retired officer the Attorney GEN
eral was asked to consider the matter, and
he subsequently gave an opinion that the
Office must he filled by an officer of the en-
gineer department CT tie army or navy on
the active list. That decision elm,nated
Commander White from further consi lera-
ton. and Secretary Root having expressed
a preference for the assignment of an army
officer. the Secretary of the Navy waived
the privilege of nominating !, naval en-
gineer. and the commission agreed upon the
detail of Lieut. Poole. The present Secre-
tary of State having served so long as Sec
rotary of War, ma turally has an extensive
acquaintance among army officers. while his
acquaintance with naval officers is limited
1t was therefore not surprising that in this
friendly contest between the army and
navy his sympathies inclined toward the
army.
Lieut. Poole's Record
Lieut. Poole, the new superintendent,
is now on his way to this country, after
a tour of service in the Philippines. and
will assume the duties of his new office
early in the year. Born in Michigan,
| Lieut.. Poole was appointed to the Mill
tary Academy from Wisconsin He grad
uated third in his class February 2, 1901,
and was appointed second lieutenant in
the Corps of Engineers, being promoted
to first lieutenant February 20 1903. He
was on duty with the Sd Battalion of En-
gineers at Fort Totten. n. Y, March 10
to October z, 1901; at Washington bar
racks, ID. c., until April 10, 1908, and in
the Philippine Islands from May 81, 1906
to August 20, 1905.
He was on special duty in the Office of
the adjutant general, division of the Phil
fppfnes, from May 81. 1903: member of
board of officers to consider and de-
termine the project of the establishment
of a military post near Manila (Fort Will
liam Mckinley, March IA, 1904 to June
Fl, 1905; assistant to the chief engineer
officer of the Philippines division and
disbursing officer in the office of the chief
engineer officer October l, 1904, to June
30, 1905, and assistant to the construct
ing quartermaster of Fort William Nc
Kinley December 13, 1904, to August f.
1905. He was relieved from duty in the
Philippines division August % last and is
| now on his way to this city.
While on duty at Washington barracks
Lieut.. Poole was detailed to assist Col
Cromwell in social functions at the White
House.