The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-05-02

BY order Of the President. Mai. John
Biddle. Corps Of Engineers, L. S, A., has
been relieved from duty as Engineer Com
missioner OF the District Of Columbia, and
Capt. J. Jay Morrow, of the same branch
Of the service. and at present Assistant
Engineer Commissioner, has been detailed
as his successor. The exact date upon
which Maj Biddle will retire has not been
definitely determined, but it is understood
that it will be upon his return from trip
Of inspection OF the school buildings Of
New York and Rhode Island.
BY order of the War Department, Maj.
Biddle. upon his relief from duty as Engi-
neer Commissioner will proceed TO San
Francisco, Cal, and relieve Mai. William
W. Harris, Corps of Engineers, Of the river
and harbor duties in his charge, together
with the money. records, and property
pertaining thereto. He will also report TO
the commanding general for duty as chief
engineer officer Of that division, relieving
Maj. Harris of that duty.
II was stated at the War Department
that the change in the office o. Engineer
Commissioner is simply in accord with the
general rule Of the department limiting
details TO that office to four years.
Capt Morrow Will have the rank and
pay OF a colonel while serving as Engineer
Commissioner. He entered upon the duties
OF Assistant Engineer Commissioner No
Tember %, 1898 and is thoroughly familiar
with the oflee % which he has succeeded.
Only Thirty-seven Years Old.
Capt. Morrow is a native Of West Vir-
g,nia and is thirty-seven years old. lie
was appointed 10 the West Point Military
Academy from Allegheny County. Pa.
graduating in 1891. He was assigned 10
the Engineer Corps and served four years
al Willets Point n. Y, and later, two
years as instructor in The military acad-
envy. from which he was transferred To
Washington in 1895. continuing two years
as assistant engineer in charge of f1rtih-
cations. Capt. Morrow has seen duty in
Cuba and the Philippines, and it was
while on duty in the Philippines, four
years ago, that he was transferred 10
Washington to take up his present post
OF Assistant Engineer Commissioner.
Throughout the day he was busily en-
gagged in receiving the congratulations
upon his appointment as Engineer Com
missioner. According 10 the officials Of
the District government 1t is the best
selection that could have been made, his
experience as Assistant Engineer Commits /
siouer having made him eminently quail
fed for the new duties TO which he has
been assigned
I am not contemplating any changes
in the methods of the administration Of
Col. Biddle, nor in the personnel of the
Office" said Capt. Morrow. yesterday.
IF / succeed as Engineer Commissioner
as wen as did my predecessor, / shall
feel that l have been eminently success
ful"
Praise for Both.
In reference TO the retirement OF Mai.
Biddle and the appointment of his sue
cessor. Commissioner 8lacfarland said,
yesterday:
7 am exceedingly sorry that Col Biddle
is going, and exceedingly glad that,
since he has to 90. Capt Morrow is TO
succeed him. Col. Biddle has served
longer than any other Engineer Com
missioner, his term having been extend
ed at the request Of the District and
without his volitiou and his service has
been greater than that OF any other
Commissioner.
Capt. Morrow's experience as assistant
and often as acting Engineer Commits
sioner has given him thorough grasp of
our affairs and prepared him for great
usefulness. He has shown wisdom, COur-
age, and real interest in the national
capital and Will worthlly continue the
honorable traditions Of the Engineer
Commissioners"
Commissioner West also expressed re-
sret at the retirement Of Mai. Biddle and
pleasure in the choice of his successor.
The District suffers a severe loss in
his departure" said AIr. West During
my association with him I have learned
20 regard his technical ability in the high
est degree, and especially have been inn
pressed with his intense interest in his
work. have been so closely associated
with him that his departure is in the ma
ture Of a personal loss 70 me, but he must
feel proud Of the splendid work which
he has done. I am sure that his services
here have met with appreciation. and re
goes away from the District with the re-
gard Of every citizen,
Morrow a Good Choice.
''It is fortunate that Capt Morrow has
been selected as his successor. Capt. B0r-
row, like Col Biddle. Is an engineer Of
marked ability, industry, and possessed Of
a temperament which admirably fits him
for the position. II is pleasant 10 note
that his services hitherto rendered in a
subordinate capacity have met with the
deserved recognition Of promotloo"
Maj. John Biddle was appointed Engi-
neer Commissioner November 1. 1901, and
has served as Engineer Commissioner
longer than any other occupant of that po-
sition. Among the projects which were
either begun during his period Of service
or which have been completed. are; The
Connecticut avenue bridge, the Union Sta
ton, and the structures connected with
the elimination of grade crossings, the
sewerage disposal system, including the
sewerage pumping plant the District
water pumping station, the new District
Building. the public convenience stations.
the Business High School, the Police
Court building. the Almshouse and Home
for the Aged, the Colored Industrial Home
School, and many other municipal build
ings.
one Of his pet projects is the develop
ment Of Rock Creek Park. and he has
worked increasingly 10 make the park
more attractive and more accessible.
He also prepared the new system OF
street names in that part Of the District
Of Columbia outside of the city OF Wash
ington, and was instrumental in securing
the appropriation for a survey and plan
for the Improvement Of the harbor front
Of the cttv