Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-13

room Is positively known to be true. AT
the same time there has arisen much
speculation as to the double resignation
within forty-eight hours. All sorts OF re-
ports and rumors have been flying. the
most widely spread being that the resig-
nations had been requested by the Presi-
dent. At the White House 1t is stated
with a positiveness as authoritative as II
II came from the fountain head itself that
the President made no such request or
intimation: that he was SO busy on his
western trip that he had given not one
thought to the affairs of the District gov
eminent. especially to the appointments
Of Commissioners. Despite the personal
presentations of the designations of two
Commissioners In SO short time he has
not yet had a chance to consider these
matters and will not for some days to
come. Right now his mind is engaged
with the big problem of what he Will
recommend to Congress on the question
of further legislation for the control OF
corporations. and he would like to get
that out of his way before he does any
thing else.
Hints of Friction in the Board.
The rumors circulating. in greater de-
tail, are that there has been friction In
the District building for long time:
that the inability of at least two Com
missioners to work in harmony has been
laid before the President in past months
in such way that he felt 1t was his
duty to pass a tip along the line that the
best way to settle this was to have the
designations of both Commissioners passed
In to him about the same time; that such
a tip was sent to the Commissioners some
days ago by Secretary Carpenter, who
had received instructions while the Pres
ident was abroad. These rumors were
not confirmed by the White House and
are absolutely denied by Mr.. Mcfarland.
Those who are In a position to know
declare that both the civil Commission
ers heard reports from reliable sources as
to the alleged feelings of the President in
the matter. And they add that these re-
ports influenced the two civil Commits
sioners to look for opportunities to return
to private life at an early date.
Opposed to these rumors are the well
known facts that Commissioner mcfarland
has been planning a long time to take up
the practice of law; that his friends have
urged him to do this. believing that he
would be success in that field; also
that Commissioner West has long had a
laundering to get back into the newspaper
field, In association with his former
friend. Scott c. Bone Of the Herald.
On leaving the White House Mr.. Mac
farland was surprised when asked about
his reported resignation. He said he pre-
ferred to make Official announcement
from the District building. but he ad-
mitted that his resignation was at that
minute before the President. Getting into
his carriage. Mr.. Mcfarland returned at
once to the District building.
Conference Was Brief.
The conference with the President was
comparatively brief. as was that with
Commissioner West. the President being
rushed with work both days. This pre-
vented anything like definite talk as to
the plans Of the President. either as to
the successors OF the two men or as to
recommendations he may or may not
make as to possible changes In the form
Of the District government. In his talk
with Commissioner West two days ago
the President intimated that he would
not be prepared to recommend q change
In form at the coming session Of Con-
gress by reason Of more important work
he hopes that body will enact into laws.
The inference, from the few words then
spoken. is that the President will ap-
point two Commissioners with as little
delay as possible. and that he will not
hold up these appointments to ascertain
whether Congress is willing to change
the commissioner plan of government to
a governorship plan.
On the surface Of things the armies Of
friends Of the many candidates in the
field had not begun to move on the
White House today. They were massing
in the distance for the attack upon the
White House. 30 soon as events appeared
to be propitious. The President was busy
all day on other matters and saw no Wis
itors as to District matters.
BY the first OF next week the pre-
liminary fight will open at the White
House. II Secretary Carpenter gets the
consent OF the President to receive dele
cations and friends OF candidates.