Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-12
CANDIDATES ARE MANY
Petitions Indorsing Aspirants
for CommiSsionership.
NEW NAMES IN THE FIELD
Capt. Oyster Refused to Take His
Candidacy Seriously.
MCFARLAND MAY HOLD JOB
President Not Expected to Take Up
Question of Revising Form Of
Government at This Time.

II is dull hour In the National Capt.
candidate for the District Commission
ership made vacant yesterday by the
resignation of Henry l.. West.
1t is dull moment that does not see
the interest of some candidate.
Lining up friends OF individuals who
aspire to occupy seat n the board Of
District Commissioners is going on apace.
Several petitions are assuming large
proportions.
In the gossip of candidates and their
pre- bable chances for selection there is
much talk of politics. The organic law
establishing the present form Of the Dis
trict government prescribes that the two
persons appointed from civil life shall. at
the time of their appointment, be citizens
of the United States and shall have been
actual residents Of the District of Colum-
bia for three years prior to their appoint
ment. and have. during that period.
claimed residence nowhere else.
Democrat Expected to Get Job.
While the law is silent as to political
faith Of the civil Commissioners, it has
been the unvarying practice Of the Presi-
dents of the United States to appoint one
of the civil Commissioners from each of
the two most prominent political parties.
Those who have talked with President
Taft since he was told of the resignation
sence of a definite announcement that
the President will adhere to this practice
Commissioner West held office as the
democratic member of the board Of Com
missioners. 1t Is believed that a DEM
ocrat will succeed him. This has brought
eral candidates who have either been
suggested by friends or who have an
nounced their candidacy.
Names Of Candidates.
Among the regular democrats whose
names have been mentioned in connection
with the commissionership are James F.
Oyster, president Of the board Of educa-
ton; William ". Cox. vice president of
the board Of education and president of
the Second National Bank; Edward ].
Stellwagen. president Of the Union Trust
Company and chairman Of the last in
auguratiOn committee; Charles e. Ian
caster, president of the Northwest Sub
urban Citizens Association; Louis p
Shoemaker. president Of the Brightwood
Citizens Association; Col. Arthur e. Ran
die and M. l. Weller. prominent real es-
tate dealers.
William F. Richards, District assessor
who has been urged by many friends for
the post, declared this morning that he is
a republican. He recognized that he
would be barred on that score II Presi-
dent Taft follows precedent:
snxn NH lfVrn I'm fho
SOUTH" he said this morning. smiling Al
the incident. II refused to vote because
my republican vote would not be
counted"
James L. Fceney. formerly president OF
the Washington Bookbinders' Union and
a former president of the Central La
Dor Union. His high standing among
labor interests. it is pointed out. will
insure him strong backing from that
source. Mr.. Feeney is also said by his
| supporters to be held in high esteem by
the President.
In addition to those named as candi-
dates yesterday the names of Maj. Rich
ard Sylvester. superintendent Of police; E.
II. Thomas, corporation attorney: William
F. GUIDE. president of the Chamber or
| Commerce: J. NJ Stoddard of the firm OF
Cook. Stoddard & Co. and Charles w.
Darr were put on the list today.
Capt. Oyster Non-Committal.
Since mention was made of the name
of Capt. James F. Oyster in connection
with the commissionership many promi-
ent men have called at his office to say
they are ready to roll up their sleeves and
go to work for him If he is really a
| candidate. To all of these Capt. oyster
had but one reply:
Gentlemen, educational matters are
very pressing at this time. My hands
are fun OF business connected with our
public school system.
A business man who is close to Capt.
Oyster said today that IL the post of Com
missioner came as an opportunity to serve
| the best interests Of the District OF CO.
lumbia. Capt Oyster might consent to ac-
| cept the appointment.
Several delegations of colored men
waited upon Capt Oyster last evening
! and today. and declared that, II a demo-
crat is to be appointed as Mr.. Vests sue
| cessor. they desired him to be the man.
! The visitors volunteered to call members
| OF their race together in mass meeting
| to indorse Mr.. oyster.
The name OF Maj Richard Sylvester
was brought out by several prominent
business and professional men who ex-
pressed the opinion that the superinten-
dent of police would make an ideal Dis
/ trict Commissioner Maj. sylvester when
| approached said he was deeply engrOssed
with several matters of Importance con-
nected with the police department
! Those who are indOrsing Mai. Sylvester
| refer to the fact that he has been for
ten years president of the International
| Association of Police Chiefs. They also
say his long residence here and his ex-
perience in District affairs peculiarly fit
| him for the place of Commissioner.
! Stoddard Is Friend Of Family.
| In behalf of ]. NJ. Stoddard ii is urged
by his friends that he is intimately as
ISOLATED with President Taft's family. and
i has never held public office.
| He is described as a man of prObity and
| energy. Mr.. StOddard was chairman Of
| the subcommittee on transportation Of
! the Taft inauguration committee.
| Members OF the District bar are strong
ly backing +. III. Thomas. They say he
has all the qualifications to administer
the office successfully.
| 1t is understood that the Chamber of
Commerce will heartily indorse William
r. GUIDE. president of that organization,
IL he will allow his name to be entered
as an aspirant. Members Of that organi-
! zat!on sad many nice things today about
~" Cuhe and his ability.
Certain Washington democrats, beliey-