The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-11-14
DISTRICT AFFAIRS
WORRY PRESIDENT
Taft Has Difficult Problem
in Appointing Com
miSSiOnerS.

with the resign atoms of two Com
missioners in the hands of the Presi-
dent, the White House has a hard prob
lem on its hands in the naming Of
successors.
Not since the commission form of
government was organized has there
been such situation as that caused by
the resignation Of Commissioner Henry
L. West on Thursday and the resigna-
ton of Commissioner Henry b. +.
Macfarland on Saturday.
The situation is made the more
troublesome for the President becauEe
both OF the resigned District officials
are anxious TO quit as 500 mas possible
and apply themselves to their own bust
ness affairs.
City In Bad State.
While 1t viii be possible for the Dis
trict Commission to run along until
January 1 without any serious harm to
the interests Of Washington, yet the
sudden designations OF two Commits
sioners have left things in a more or
less disturbed state. 1t will be to the
interests Of the city to have the new
officials appointed as quickly as posi-
bic, and undertake their duties with the
least possible delay. IN order that the
changes be effected with the least pes
sible Reorganization
While rumOTs continue to float
about to the effect the designations of
Mr.. West and Mr. mcfarland were
due to trouble and disafection in some
quarter, they are not born out by
the ofnclal versions. The cOrresDon-
dence between the President and Mr..
MacTarland has been made public. In
II the president asks Mr.. Macfarland
70 remain until January 1. and the
/ - tn tn 10 -.
his letter 10 the President:
/ realize that my resignation was a
surprise TO you and that you should
/ nave AL the time you desire to consider
the election Of my successor"
Mr. Macfarland's friends point to this
statement as evidence that Mr.. Macfar-
land was not forced out Of office.
Expressions Of Regret.
Expressions Of regret over the resiE-
nations are numerous about the District
building. Much excltment prevails
over the succession, and District en-
ployes spend all their spare time dis
cussing the question. It is certain that
the President viii have a long list of
candidates to consider.
District employ es insist one OF their
number should De put on the commits
sion. The candidates mentioned about
the building are Auditor Alonzo Twee-
-
Maj. Richard Sylvester and CORPORATION
Counsel J.. H. Thomas
Louis p. Shoemaker has been IN iorsed
Lor the position Of Commissioner West
by the BrightwoOd Citizens Association.
Aside from these there is a long list
or others who are suggested and in
QOrsed. Some of them are open candi-
dates. They include ID J. Weller, Capt.
James +. Oyster, A. IIsner, Gustave
Lansburgh, Joseph Strasburger, William
Hahn, Joseph NJ Stoddard, A. c. Moses.
y. W. Woodward, James 3 Green, A.
b.. l. Leck4e, Chap.r Brown, =. H
Thomas, Isaac Cans, e A Newman,
Hopewel Darneille, William V Cox, W.
II. Ripley, p. V. De Graw. Col Arthur
Randle, Walter J Costello, James l..
Feeney, A. ID. Prince, Frank p. Mad
lgan, Major Gerge A. Armes, James S.
Henry, and ". w. Price. Mr.. Henry is
the Washington correspondent Of the
Philadelphia Press and Mr.. Price is one
Of the city's best known newspaper
men.