The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-12-28
Taft to Proffer Him Place TO
Complete District
Board Slate.
MAY DECLINE OFFER.
DECLARE FRIENDS
President Gives Views to Callers.
No Official Action Yet
Taken.
By JAMES HAY, II.

Of the American Security and Trust
Company, will be offered a place
on the Board of District Commis-
sioners, according to the present
plans of the President.
This viii complete the slate of
Commissioners, as Cuno H.
Rudolph, of the National Mehopoli-
tan Bank, as announced last week in
The Times, has already been select
ed by Mr.. Taft to fill the other va
cancy on the board.
1t is not yet known whether Mr..
Thorn viii accept the place when
it is offered to him. Among his
friends it is declared that It will be
hard to persuade him to accept. He
declined today to discuss the mat
ter in any way, as he has received
so far no notification from Mr..
Taft.
WAS A FIRST CHOICE.
Mr. Thorn was one of the first
men considered by the President as
a fne choice for the 9oard Of Cor
missioners. At that tiFne. however,
# was said that he would not ae-
cept It Now the President has
decid l to make The formal offer in
the hope that it will not be turned
down.
This information comes from the
highest authority, and it was learn
ed this afternoon that Mr.. Taft
has let some Of his callers know
that Thorn appeals to him as the
ideal man to serve on the Board
Of Commissioners with Mr.. Rudolph
Rudolph and Thorn.
The President explained that, as mat
ters stand now, Rudolph and Thom
will be the men who viii ill the va
cancies caused by the designations OF
Mr.. West and Mr. Macfarland. He said
he would carry out this plan unless he
heard something TO change his mind
and he did not expect any such thing
to happen.
Mr.. Thorn has been actively identified
with local matters as a member Of the
Bar Association, the Chamber OF Com
merce. and the Board Of Trade. At one
time he was in active practice here.
but at present all OF his time is given
up 10 his duties as vice president and
trust officer Of the American Security
and Trust Company.
To Hold Positions.
In order TO allow the Senate plenty OF
time to confirm the selections for the
Board Of Commissioners. the President
today sent 10 Commissioners West and
Nacfarland a request that they retain
their positions until their successors
have been confirmed by the Senate
They have resigned with the idea of
leaving office January 1. but IL is un-
derstoOd that they viii serve longer in
compliance with the Presidents wishes.
tt was pointed out today that the
Presidents program must be eminently
satisfactory TO all Neutrality-suspicious.. as
IL contempIaJes the selection of two To-
cal men who are thoroughly identified
with the Districts business and familiar
With its needs and customs.
At the same time this program meets
the Presidents desire TO have on the
board as companions Of the Engineer
Commissioner a business man and a
lawyer.
Mr.. Rudolph is vice president Of the
National Metropolitan Bank. and AIr
Thorn. is addition 20 being a lawyer
Of ability, has also had experience in
business.
Studied Questions
No President has taken more pains
than Mr.. Taft in making his selections
for the Board of Commissioners. He
has had under consideration many
names. ard. whenever there appeared
the slightest objection to their fitness.
ne has gene further in his search for
the right material.
He has held conferences with a rra-
jority OF the leading business and pro-
fessional men of the District and has
left no stone unturned in his attempt
70 put I'm the District government the
most ideal men he could find
He has definitely decided lot 10 con-
slider j. J. HemPhill longer. as he has
become convinced that AR HemphHl
is not eligible under the lzw The talk
that ". V. Cox would be offered one
Of the places has been found 10 be mis-
leading. as at this time the President
entertains no such idea. although Ar
CoX's recommendation FOR the board