Evening star., 1908-12-22
Transfer of Officers One
of the Quickest on Record

In accordance with the orders issued
by Gen. Marshall. chief of engineers, yes
terday afternoon. relieving Maj. Morrow
from further duty as Engineer Commis-
sioner and detailing Maj. Cosby to that
office, Maj. Morrow reported to him at his
Office In the War Department promptly at
O'Clock this morning for further orders.
Maj. Morrow got there first. but did not
have to wait long for the appearance Of
the head, Of the Army Engineer Corps.
Being good friends. the two greeted
each other cordially and with no more
formality than the occasion demanded.
hand and took only few minutes to
dispose Of.
Gen. Marshall Informed Maj Morrow
that he had been relieved by order Of
the President. to take effect at once. and
that the President had approved Of his
recommendation that Maj. Cosby be as
signed to duty as Engineer Commissioner.
AZ Maj. Morrow had been ordered to
report to him for orders. and a. 1t was
necessary to I'LL the vacancy caused by
the transfer OF Maj. Cosby, the chief of
engineers assigned Maj. Morrow to the
duties heretofore performed by Maj. Co.'S
by. These duties involve supervision of
the District water supply system. includ
Ing the new filtration plant. the defenses
Of Washington and the improvements in
the Potomac, Anacostia. James. Kappa
hammock. York and other rivers in Vir-
ginia.
Maj. Morrow Takes Charge.
After a pleasant greeting to his other
friends in the engineer bureau Mai. Nor
row proceeded to the Office OF the local
engineer, o07 18th street. where he was
received Aby Maj. Cosby. With few pre-
liminaries the transfer of the property.
money, records and accounts from Maj.
Cosby to Maj. Morrow was readily ef-
fected. When Maj. Morrow had given
best wishes and repaired to the District
building and entered actively on the dis
charge Of his new duties.
Mai. Morrow was personally acquainted
with most Of his new official associates
and found no trouble In adapting himself
to his new duties and surroundings.
To every one he met today Maj. Nor
row made it manifest that he was ex-
tremely pleased with the exchange OF
duties he had made with Maj. Cosby. He
aad that he was familiar with the exist
ing projects. as he had naturally cooper
ated with Maj Cosby In their prosecution
No one at the War Department would
change In the engineer commissioner
ship. Most Of the of1cials confined
themselves to the remark that the
change was ordered by the President
aIQ II nc "autSO us ICd0OuS hLO" uS
would undoubtedly make them public
Secretary Wright said yesterday after
noon that he had told Gen. Marshall to
make the change, but he didn't know
dent, and he added that he didn't In
tend to inquire.
The President sent a telegram to Sec
retary Wright about noon yesterday di-
recting that MAI. Morrow be relieved at
once" The Secretary telephoned to Gen.
Marshall, whose Office Is directly beneath
his own to carry out the President q
order. The order was prepared at once
and telegraphed to Mai. Morrow at the
District building.
The Secretary said that so far as he
was aware the change was entirely
agreeable to both officers involved. or at
any rate he had heard that 1t was to
Mai. Morrow.
Gen Marshall stated to a Star reporter
that he had no information on the sub
1ect further than that he had received
an order to make the changes. and" he
added. II always obeyed orders"
The Presidents Peremptory Order.
From other sources 1t was learned that
the change in the engineer commissioner
ship was effected by telegraph in a few
hours time.
His relief necessitated the selection OF
a successor without delay. The Presi-
dents telegram contained no suggestion
on that point. Gen. Marshall was COM
pelled to act promptly. and he did so. II
was necessary to select an offcer OF the
Engineer Corps In Washington, as nc
time could be wasted. Under the Law
fixing the qualifications for the ONCE OF
. Engineer Commissioner there were but
two qualified officers available-Maj. Jas
B. Cavanaugh. assistant to the chief OF
engineers and In charge Of river and
harbor work In his Office. and Maj. Spen.
Ger Cosby, In charge OF the Washin2ton
aqueduct. Gen. Marshall could not spare
Mai. Cavanaugh.
Maj. Cosby Selected.