Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-12

democratic central committee, said this
afternoon that he would call meeting OF
the committee in order that the democrats
may center formally upon a candidate 1or
the office, whose name and abilities Will
be presented to President Taft.
Change Of Government Plan Un-
likely.
In view of the announcement from the
White House last spring that President
Taft would continue Commissioner Mac
farland I'm Office under his old commission
and not reappoint him under a new COM
mission until he had looked into the Ques-
ton OF whether or not a change In the
form Of government Of the District is ad-
visable, there IL some speculation as to
whether he will take up the matter at
this time. From person who has seen
his resignation. 1t is learned. however.
that ne has given no intimation that he
will consider the form Of government
before making the selection.
The talk between the President and his
visitor was devoted to a discussion OF
the qualifications for member Of the
board of Commissioners. This was taken
by the visitor to indicate that the Presi-
dent does not intend to open the question
Of the form of government at this time.
The resignation of Commissioner West
is regarded by some as insuring the early
reappointment Of Mr.. Mcfarland as Com
missioner. In view Of the fact that the
present Engineer Commissioner has been
In Office only for a few months and for
that period Of the year when the Commits
sioners are not transacting their business
with Congress. as the Districts board OF
| councilmen. and In view Of the necessity
Of appointing one new civil Commissioner,
the desirability Of retaining one member
of the board Of Commissioners who Is IA
miliar with the administrative and finan-
cial policies of the local government Is
strongly brought out.
Familiar With Work Of Board.
Commissioner Mcfarland has been in
Office for nine years and has been active
| in building up many policies which have
aided In increasing the efficiency of the
| local government and in improving the
National Capital. To continue these pol
icies at the present time to the advantage
| of the city his continuance In office is re-
garded as desirable.
Several weeks are expected to elapse
before President Taft makes All an.
nouncement regarding Mr.. Vests sue
| cessor. When Mr.. West visited the ex.
| ecutive offices yesterday, he told the
President he would remain in Office until
| the qualification of his successor, but ex-
pressed the hope that that date would
not be later than December !.
The President urged Mr.. West to re-
main until the first of the new year. He
pointed out the numerous appointments
| he has to make within the next few
| weeks and the many important matters
| which he must take up at once. The
Commissioner. however. hinted that i,
| would be great personal sacrifice to
him to remain in Office after December
| 1t Is known that the Commissioners
would like to retire at once and that his
successor cannot take Office too soon tc
| suit him.
Resigns From Railway Commission.
| The resignation Of Mr.. West as chair
man Of the District electric railway
commission. which was presented this
afternoon when Mr.. West called upon
| Commissioner Lane of the interstate
! commerce commission, to take effect
| with the acceptance of his resignation
| as District Commissioner. removes a
| second member of the board OF three
which was selected by the interstate
commerce commission a little more than
! a year ago to regulate the operation OF
! the street railways in the District of
| Columbia. under the act of May 23. 1908
Thomas w. Smith is therefore the only
! remaining member of the board.
! Whether 1t Is proposed to fill the vacan-
! cies in the board Cccasioned by the re-
! tirement Of Gen. John NJ. Wilson and
Mr.. West or for the interstate commerce
| commission to designate one representa-
tive to hereafter deal directly with the
! railway companies could not be learned
| this morning. 1t is known, however.
| suggestions in both directions have been
| made to the commission.
| Mr. West was closeted with Commits
| sioner Lane this afternoon. and doubt
| less will give his opinion as to the ef-
| fectiveness of both methods Of handling
/ the local railway situation.
| The railway companies have persistent.
! ly ignored the District commission, al
though many substantial improvements
have been effected through the indirec,
methods which ii has been forced to EN-.
ploy The matter. 1T is said will receive
early attention from the interstate com