Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-14
President WithdraWs Nomina-
tion as Collector of Port.
OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE
Several Members Threatened to
Prevent His Confirmation.
FAVORED BY COMMITTEE
Charges Against Him Had Been Dis
missed by That Body After
Investigation.

President Taft today withdrew from the
Senate the nomination OF Sidney Bieber
to be collector of customs for the port Of
Georgetown. This action. it is understood,
is agreeable to Mr.. Bieber, who has fire.
quently been assured that he would
eventually be confirmed If his name should
be left before the Senate.
The nomination of Mr.. Bieber was sent
to the Senate about two months ago. II
was referred to the Senate committee on
commerce. of which Senator Frye is
chairman. The fight against Mr.. Bieber
began at once. charges being filed against
him at the White House. Until he could
go into these charges the President asked
Mr.. Frye to have the nomination returned
to the White House. This was done. and
after thorough investigation the President
again sent the nomination to the Senate.
The fight was continued there. but the
strong friends of the District republican
national committeeman succeeded In con-
vincng the committee that the charges
were without foundation, resulting in a
favorable report of the nomination by the
committee
Threatened Fight in Senate.
This report has been pending before
that three or four sena tors. several Of
them personal friends of Collector Ny
, man. the incumbent, asserted that they
| would prevent confirmation and would
fight it in the open Senate.
This opposition has lately been taken
to the White House again, the Presi-
dent becoming convinced that it was
useless to look for confirmation this ses-
| sion. After further consideration the
President directed the withdrawal Of the
| nomination.
Stormy Executive Session.
The withdrawal of the nomination of
Mr.. Bieber follows stormy executive
session of the Senate a few days ago,
when the nomination was brought up for
| confirmation. 1t had been reported favor
ably from the Senate committee on COM
| merce several days before, and 1T was
| reached in the course of the executive
business in its regular order.
| Senator's Bourne of Oregon and New
lands of Nevada voiced the main objec-
tions to confirmation; but 1t is under
stood that Senator Lodge of Massa
chusetts was also lined up with the op-
position. AS soon as the opposition be-
came evident clerks were dispatched for
friends of Mr.. Bieber, and they came
from conferences and committee meet
ings to rally to his defense
It had been thought before the nomina-
ton was brought up that a compromise
could be reached between friends and
foes of Mr.. Bieber SO that the Senate s
approval could be granted. But after
the discussion had proceeded few
minutes it was evident that no compro-
mise could be reached that day, and
action was postponed.
The President was informed of the
happenings of the executive session and
he then asked that for the present no
further attempt be made to have the
nomination confirmed. That request was
followed today by the formal withdraw wal
of the nomination.
Senator Bourne declared today that
his opposition to Mr.. Bieber was not
personal In any way, but was based
on the charges made against Mr.. Bieber
on the floor of the Senate couple Of
years ago. AT that time Senator Car
ter severely arraigned Mr.. Bieber for
his part in the acquiring of some lands
on the water front Of the Anacostia
river near Congressional cemetery.
Senator Newlands was not in the
Senate today. and could not be reached
| with an inquiry as to the reasons for
his opposition.