The Washington times., 1906-03-01
G|LLETTE'S ACTION
CAME AS SURPRISE
Resignation From Army
Was Hardly Expected.
w W0RK IN PHILADELPHIA
Major Accepts Permanently Position of
Chief Engineer of Bureau of
Filtration.
WORK IN PHILADELPHIA

Considerable surprise was occasioned
in army circles today by the announce
ment OF the resigna ton Of Mai G. r
Gillette, of the Engineer Corps Major
Gillette who has been on temporary
leave Of absence in connection with the
Philadelphia water filtration work, yes
terday filed an application to be retired
from the army service. and Immediately
accepted an appointment from Mayor
Weaver as chief engineer of the bu-
reau of filtration of that city. The new
position carries with it a salary of $1,000
yearly. several times the amount Of his
present income as an army officer
SUB FOR ADD To GILLET INSERT
Ihe resi- SlSuatiOn Of Major Gillette was
received this afternoon at the War De
partment by General Mckenzie, chief
engineer
The question now arises at the War
Department whether Major Gillette did
not cease TO be an officer of the army
many months ago, when he first began
10 exercise the functions of chief flJra-
ton officer OF the city of Philadelphia
II such : the case. he viii be required
10 refund To the Treasury Department
his salary for the time he was employed
IN Philadelphia That is subject which
viii be up to the accounting officers Ct
the Treasury Department for decision.
Last summer Major Gillette obtained
a temporary leave Of absence from the
Weaver 10 take up the work dropped by
John w. Hill who resigned his office
The major, with William Barclay Par
sons. and j. Donald McLennon. were
appointed as q board of experts to in
Vestigate the filtration system of the
city. Several reports have been made
to the mayor and another viii be sub
mitted soon.
Made Fayora BILE ImpressiOn.
Major Gillette so impressed PhiIadeI-
phia's reform mayor that last fall he
appointed him chief of the bureau and
made an urgent request of the War De
partment that the officer be given an
indefinite leave, in order TO complete the
work before him. The application was
opposed in the War Department. and
also among the Pennsylvania officials
In Congress. The department was lOath
TO relinQuish d valuable officer. ana the
pennsylvania Congressmen were opposed
TO the choice job going 10 man out
side OF the city ana state.
Since the extension of leave would not
be granted, Mayor Weaver and d num-
Der OF his supporters urged the major
10 resign to take up the work peTma-
nently. Yesterday his consent WAS
gained ana he at once handed in his
resignation.
Major Gillette's last post OF duty was /
at Savannah He was first assigned 10 /
the Savannah engineering district TO I
succeed Capt. ODeTIin Garter. who I
was transferred to London as military |
attache to the American embassy. /
Major Gillette was largely Instrumental /
IN bringing 2bout charges that later sent
carter 20 LeaVenwOrth prison, and the /
present trial of Greene and Gaynor /
About year ago. Ma jOT Gillette was re- 1
assigned To the savannah district and /
was later granted leave TO take uD the /
special work for Mayor Weaver, at /
Philadelphia.
His Principal Work.
The principal work that will fall TO |
the major Is the construction of the /
city's new filtration system, over which /
such a scandal arose a year ago. when
a number of officials were ousted from
office. This work already has been un- /
der way fer four years, and Will re- /
quire three more to complete, with a
total cost of about $500 0J1. The bu-
reau Of filtration IS under the super
vision of the department of public |
works, and the chiefs are appointed bv
the mayor, subject TO the confirmation