Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-24
INFORMS THE PRESIDENT
OF HIS DECISION TODAY
Cuno H. Rudolph and John J. Hemp.
hill Among the Possibilities.
FRIENDS OF w. v. cox HOPEFUL
Not Known When the Two Princi-
pal Positions in the District
Will Be Filled.

Washington's Christmas present from
the White House-not to be delivered
now, but later on-will, from present in
dications, be Cuno h Rudolph and John
]. Hemphil or Rudolph and W. " Cox
for civil Commissioners of the District of
Columbia.
Arthur c. Moses would have been one
of the Commissioners had he not put him
self out of consideration in q brief con-
ference he had with the President today
just before the cabinet meeting Mr.
Moses was sent for by the chief execu-
tive and. 1t is understood. was offered one
OF the commissionerships. He told the
President that much as he would like to
accept he would be compelled to decline
and to ask that his name be withdrawn
Mr.. Moses based his action upon business
and family matters
There was remonstrance against his
leaving the big business he had helped
to make SO successful, and his family
feared that official life as a Commissioner
would take him too much away from the
circle that appreciates and desires him
most. There was no question In his mind
as to what he would do, SO he acted
promptly, although appreciating the mo-
tives of the President and those. of his
friends who have stood so loyall, behind
him.
In this connection it is recalled that the
firm of Moses & Sons are large con-
tractors for District supplies, and the i'm
possibility of Mr.. Moses Severing himself
from all connection with this part of the
firms business. as he would have had
to do as Commissioner, entered largely
into his decision.
Mr.. Moses remained with the President
a short time discussing the commission
ership situation as 1t pertains to the diff
ferent men whose names are now before
the President.
Inclined to Appoint Hemphill, if
Eligible.
The President is no more determined
now than at any other time upon any
certain men. but he would like to nomi-
nate John J. Hemphill, unless Mr.. Hemp
hills admitted legal residence in South
Carolina is finally considered a bar to
his holding the position The President
has given thought to this feature of the
situation, and he has had it urged upon
him that the precedent should not be
made Of naming a COmmiSS oner about
whose qualifications from a legal view
there was the least question. The pre-
cedent. 1t has been argued, might some
day be used to the detriment of District
interests and people.
Up to this time the President is inclined
to think that Mr.. Hemphilrs long resi-
dence in Washington. his identification
with local affairs and with Washington
citizens. is sufficient to come within the
terms of the law, although he has paid
poll tax and Is today eligible to vote in
South Carolina; but he has not decided
that 1t would be wise policy, even in the
case of so good man as Mr.. Hemphill.
to reverse the construction which has
heretofore been put upon the law. and
practically to break down the barrier
which has heretofore protected the Wash
ingtonians claiming legal residence no
where else in the class eligible to this
Office
No indication of Haste.
The President has given no intimation
as to when he will settle the subject, and
there are no indications that he will
hurry. He will not, though, go into the
matter much further. He has had nu-
merous conferences lately and has re-
ceived information by letter and other
wise. He is prepared to act without
further enlightenment.
Maj Judson, engineer of the District,
was in conference with the President to-
d3y The President wanted some in