Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-13
Business Men Are Puzzled
by MacfarIand Resignation

Business Washington was thrown into
a state Of unrest today when the an
nouncement of the resignation Of Henry
b. F. Mcfarland came as a genuine sur
prise. Following so closely upon the
resignation of his colleague, Henry L.
West. the effect upon the community was
almost stunning.
What does IL all mean?" was the ex-
preston OF more than one business man.
1T Is In accordance with President
Taft's intimation that he wants a new
deal here declared Judge Charles C.
Lancaster, president of the Northwest
Citizens Association. and vice president
OF the Brightwood Citizens Association
Mr.. Mcfarland Is a good man. and /
have nothing but praise for his admins
tration."
THE two designations are not merely
a coincidence" a business man said, this
afternoon. There is a Senegambian in
the woodpile, sure. We will anxiously
await further developments"
In connection with the vacancies in
the board OF District Commissioners. 1t
was stated at the Office OF E II. Thomas
corporation counsel. that nowhere in the
law creating the present form of gov
eminent for the District is it required
that one OF the Commissioners shall be
a republican and the other a democrat
ou inc SuDJoCt OF pOlltlCS the law fg
silent. This law of 1873 has been de-
clared by the Supreme Court to be the
organic act. or, practically speaking, the
constitution Of the District OF Columbia
The appointment of one republican and
one democrat Is matter of invariable
custom.
List Of Candidates Heightened.
The list OF candidates was heightened
somewhat today after the announcement
had gone forth OF Mr. Macfarland's res
ignation. and the friends of the parties
entered in the race have commenced an
active campaign I'm behalf of their favor
ties.
The names of Capt. James F. Oyster
and Alonzo Tweedale, auditor OF the
District Of Columbia. are being urged
with vigor by the friends OF the men. It
10 said either or both would be acceptable
to a large number OF citizens
Along the lines that one at least of the
Commissioners should be a wide-awake
business man. the friends OF Isaac Cans
have brought him out a prospective
successor to either Commissioner Mac
tarland or West. II was pointed out to-
day by Mr.. Cans supporters that he is
O man who has made good in the com
mercial world, and would make a most
acceptable Commissioner. He IS par
ticularly strong with the commercial men
of Washington.
Another popular and conservative
business man who is named today by
influential friends for one OF the Dis.
trict Commissionerships is w. Harri.
man Rapley. manager of the New Ma
tional Theater. besides being affiliated
with many other important interests
here. II Is the opinion Of the many
friends OF Mr.. Rapley that he would
make an ideal Commissioner and would
also be acceptable to all elements in
the District.
II is the belief OF some OF the pro-
fassi0nal men who were talked with
today that one OF the Commissioners
should be a lawyer. Therefore. two
members OF the District bar were en-.
ers They are Chaplin Brown and A.
T. L. Leckie.
In this connection Attorney Frederick
A Fenning said today:
81 am hopeful that when the President