The Washington times., 1909-05-18
Commission Recommends
Building Inspector for
City Architect.
@. o. VAN inertia
is SECOND CHOICE
Oyster Opposes Primary Selection
of Special Board-Leaves Ques-
Ation Up to Commission.

Snowden Ashford. Inspector of Build
ings, is the choice Of the majority of
the commission appointed by Commits
sioner Judson to submit to him the
nomination of a municipal architect
The commission is composed of James
Knox Taylor, supervising architect of
the Treasury; James Rush Marshall.
president OF the washington Chapter,
American Institute Of Architects; Capt.
James +. Oyster. president OF the
Board OF Education, and Capt. William
Kelly. Assistant Engineer Commits
sioner.
While refusing to discuss their report,
which was submitted to Major Judson
yesterday. it is understood that three
OF the members voted for Mr. Ashford
as the first choice OF the commission. &"
while George o. Van Nertar. of the
supervising architects office. received
the unanimous vote for second choice.
Mr. Ashfords failure TO receive the
unanimous vote of the commission IL
due. fl is said. to the opposition OF Cap
tain Oyster.
Oyster Opposes Ashford.
The president Of the Board OF Edu-
cation has said that he does not sp-
prove Of the attitude Of the inspector In
regard 20 the construction and repair of
school buildings, and before his appoint
ment as a member of the commission
expressed himsslf as favoring the ap-
pointment of Appleton P. Clark, jr., a
prominent local architect. Mr.. Clark
declared, however, that he could not
afford TO give up his private business.
in view OF Major Judsons declaration
that the municipal architect would be
expected to devote practically his entire
time 20 the service of the District gov
erninenfr Mr. Clark said this announce
mept eliminated him from serious con-
sideration as a candidate
The nomination Of a first and second
Shoice leaves MAJOR Judson in practical
~ the same position as before. II tie
appointment IS confined to the recon-
mendation Of the commission a decision
must be made between two men.
Narrows the Field.
The only practical benefit resulting
from the appointment OF the commits
sion is the narrowing of the field of can
didates. The commission held three
lengjv meetings, and the qualifications
Of each candidate were discussed at
length.
Major Judson left yesterday for Chi
cago and Indianapolis. where he will in
sDeet a number OF penal institutions,
and viii be absent from the city ten
days. A definite decision viii not be
made therefore before mis- return.
Career of Ashford.
SnoYden Ashford was born in Wash
ington January 1. 1866. lie received his
early education at Rittenhouse Acad-
envy and the Christian Brothers Ro-
man Catholic School, and later was
graduated from Lafayette College
Mr.. Ashford entered the office OF A.
B. Mullet, ex-SupervisinR Architect OF
the Treasury. and later was associated
with John /. Smithmyer, architect OF
the Congressional Library
Entering the service OF the District
as assistant Inspector OF Buildings IN
1896 he was promoted December 5. 1901
70 Inspector OF Buildings, to succeed
the late John =. Brady.
Mr.. Ashford Is a member of the Wash
ington Chapter. American Institute Of
Architects.
Mr.. Van Nerta. the second choice OF
the commission has been employed in
the Supervising Architects office about
twenty years He has had personal su-
pervision OF number OF large Govern
ment buildings all over the country and
~ regarded as a value1 official