The Washington herald., 1909-05-02
MCFARLAND WILL
BE- KEPT IN OFFICE
Commissioner to Retain His
Place for Another Year.
PRESIDENT TO INVESTIGATE
Form OF Government in the District
VIII BE Studied by Mr.. Taft with
Thoroughly Satisfied with Mr.. Mae
farland and the Administration.

Without foramI resppointment, Henry
B. F. Macfsrland continues as presideat
OF the Board OF Commissioners OF the
District Of Columbia
His term expires next Friday. but he
continues in Office without interruption.
He has filed three terms as Commls-
siOner-
President Taft has determined thar the
quest On Of the proper form Of govern
ment for Washington must be given
thorough consideration. He desires TO
devote his energies 20 It as soon as the
tariff is out Of the way. II IS this
fact which deters him from making the
reappointment OF a Commissioner at this
time.
Would Tie His Hands
To make three-year appointment now
would be 10 tie his hands In bringing
the form Of government question 20 the
attention OF Congress Il would indi-
rectly postpone consideration OF the Ques-
ton. and lead 20 false inferences as 70
his views upon municipal administration
IN Washington
Beyond the decision that there are
large possibilities involved IN the various
changes OF system for the District. which
have been suggested. the President has
not committed himself. He enters upon
consideration Of the subject without
prejudice. and VIII prosecute il along in
dependent lines.
His recommendations to Congress viii
not be made before the next session.
which convenes in December. This lapse
OF time gives President Taft ample cp-
portunity 70 inform himself on every side
Of the subject
The reapDointment Of Mr.. Macfarland is,
therefore, held in allegiance
disappointment Question.
When the question Of reappointment be
came matter OF public interest some
weeks ago. the President had no diff
Guilty in finding the strong and dominant
public sentiment in favor Of the present
Commissions. He had many callers who
spoke on behalf CT Mr.. Macfarland. and
these came not as agents IN any organ
lzed campaign but as citizens who sin
cerely believed that the interests of the
District demanded his retention.
Other names were mentioned IN the run
ming, but as the time for appointment
drew nigh it became a practical certainty
that Mr. MacfarIand would again be
named
The people OF Washington see an end 10
the desUItory agitation which has been
breaking out for years regarding a change
n the form Of government. This has bsEn
q pet hobby with many citizens who
have advocated one-man rule in season
and out OF season The question has
hung IRE for years Il has never come
10 a focus.
Now that the President has determined
20 give a thorough and impartial con-
sideration OF the subject. his recommenda-
lions 10 Congress, resulting in COngres-
sional action, should Gueu all agitation
for years 70 come. II any change isl
made on the lines Of the Reynolds plan.
or any other. il viii be the answer. which
the citizens Of Washington VIII ACCEPT /
as the contribution Of the best brains
of the country on the subject. II the
report Of the President opposes and fuuo-
vatiOns. il VIII also be accepted in the
same spirit
Desires TO Be Free.
Should an agreement be made upon one
man rule lines, the President desires to
be free Of all embarrassing entangle-
mehts- That is why 8Ir MacfarIand Is 4
not reappointed at this time
As 70 the suffrage question in connec- I
ton with the form Of government. the 1
President Is understood TO oppose II. I'll
probably VIII not enter into the INQUIRY. /
One reason why the President has de-
upon the investigation al This
tine IS that informal discussions win
Senator Gallinger and Representative
Smith, chairmen Of the Senate and House
District Committees. respectively. have