Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-02

secretary to the board of Commissioners
The ceremony was both brief and informal
The only persons witnessing the swearing
In of the Commissioner were Daniel e.
Garges, secretary to the Engineer Commits
sioner: A. Leftwich Sinclair, special coun-
sci for the District; Louis c. Wilson. as
sistant assessor Of the District; John r.
Harrison, auditor, and the members of the
press.
Col. Blddle. who has been inspecting
school houses In New York, Massachusetts,
and Rhode Island, with James Knox Tay-
Tor, supervising architect Of the Treasury
Department, and DR.. William E Chancellor.
superintendent of public education, will ar
rive In Washington at 2:30 o'clock tonor-
row afternoon, and he will then be officially
notified OF. his transfer frona.tthes District
TO the Pacific COAST Plans are already be-
Ing made to accord him proper sssnd-off'
prior to the date of his departure to take
up his new duties. The ceremonies will be
held In the board room, and addresses will
be made by Commissioners West and Mac
farland and Mr.. E. G.. Davis, collector of
taxes.
Widespread Interest.
Possibly nothing in connection with the
District government has created more wide-
spread interest among the officials of the
local government and citizens than has
this change.
Col Blddle has been at the helm of the
engineer branch Of the District for so long
that he was beginning to be looked upon
as a fixture. Although Capt. Morrows pro-
nation was received with much pleasure
by everyone. much regret has been ex-
pressed over the fact of losing Major Bid
die. Nothing has been talked of by the
several hundred officials and clerks at the
District building but this change since the
announcements was first made in The Star
Of last evening They are now asking who
Capt. Morrow's successor assistant engi-
neer commissioner In charge of the highway
department will be. To this question Capt.
Morrow replied today:
II haven't the slightest idea. I doubt very
much If the War Department has selected
any one. but I imagine that the position
will be- filled next week. The Secretary of
War will cast his eyes about for young
captain of the Engineer Corps to send to
u.s."
Although this change came as a COM
plete surprise to many, 1t has been expected
prominent officials for several weeks
little history In connection with the change
was made known today.
About three weeks ago Col. Btddle went
to Maj. Gen. Mckenzie at the War Depart
ment who Is chief of the Corps of Engi-
neers and told him that IL the Secretary of
War contemplated relieving him at the Dis
trict building within the next year he would
suggest that the change be made as soon
as possible In order that his successor as
Engineer Commissioner could acquire
enough knowledge of the District affairs by
the time the next Congress convenes to
make a good showing when he Will be called
upon to present estimates and an abundance
ment to the District committees of the
Senate and House. 1t was no doubt upon
this suggestion, 1t Is said, that the change
was made so suddenly.
When Commissioners mcfarland and
West learned of this they called on the Sec
retary of War personally and did every
thing In their power to have Col. Dlddle re-
tanned In his present position.