The Washington times., 1910-01-07
Special Meeting of District
Committee May Be
Held.
RUDOLPH PROBABLY
WILL BE CHAIRMAN
General Johnston VIII Assume Du-
ties Which Have Been Per
formed by H. L. West.

Early confirmation OF Cuno II. Ru-
dolph and Gen. John A Johnston as
7 Commissioners Of the District is ex-
/ pected. in the Senate. there are thus
far no outward signs Of opposition and
the belief was expressed by Senators
TODAY that the two men would be con-
frmed without difficulty.
Today was the regular meeting Gay OF
the Senate District Committee. 90 which
F the nominations are referred Il was
no. held and there VIII be no regular
meeting now until next Friday.
But 1t is exected either that special
meeting viii be called Monday or that
. the committee viii be poUed. The prob
abilities are that Chairman Gauinger
viii poll the committee and that ? fav-
orable report on the names viii be made
+ to the Senate Monday and confirmation
take place then In any event, il VIII
not be later than Tuesday.
As soon as confirmed the new Com
ruissioners are expected - qualify. Il
looks now as If they would be able to
E do so by the middle Of the week.
Favored 5y Gallinger
Senator GelIinEer, chairman Of the
Senate District Committee. IS favorable
20 the Commissioners. and VIII not op-
pose their confirmation He said today
he knew OF no opposition. The fact
that both are Republicans is nos ex-
Pected 20 stir up any Senate trouble.
The first OffcizI art OF tha new Com
nlssioHers after the administration of
/ The cath by DR. WIUIa1a TIndau. ses-
. retsry 20 the board. wiz be 10 elect a
president This honor, g. is understood.
vii be bestowed upon NIr. Rudolph.
who IS appointed as the successor OF
Commissioner Mcfarland The division
OF duties depends entirely upon the
I Commissioner.
According 10 present arrangements,
NJ Rudolph viii assume control Of
the departments now under the zure--
vision Of Commissions NacgarIand in
cIudiuE the Fire and Health Depart
meuts- office Of the SeaIer Of Welchts
and Measures. Electrical Department.
Office OF the ( 0eriutendeut OF Insur-
a0Ce. Board Of arities. office OF tha
Inspector Of cas- and Meters. and all
unassigned matters
Johnston's Duties.
The auditing and accounting system
Of the District government. now under
the supervision of Commissioner West
VIII probably be assigned to Commits
sloner Johnston This includes the of-
fee Of the collector Of taxes. zne c.Fice
Of the auditor. and the disbursinC Off
Ger Commissioner Johnston viii also
probably have charge Of the street
cleaning department. the police depart
meutr Office OF the property clerk. the
assessors office. and the board OF as
sistant assessors, the Office Of the auto
mobile board. the bathing beach. Office
Of the corporation counsel, and the har-
bormaster's Office.
As an evidence of their esteem the
employees Of the District government ara
preparing to present to the retiring
Commissioners testimonial, the nature
Of which is shrouded in mystery. It was
the intention 10 surprise Commissioners
NaCfsriand and West by presenting TO
them q substantial token Of their re-
Eard, but II is believed the Commission
ers already have an inkIinz Of what is
in store for them and viii not be taken
entirely of their guard Until the ar
ransements are fully completed, ,ow-
ever, The committee in charge declines
to make public the details.
Precedent FOurd.
With respect 10 the availability OF
General Johnston as a Commissioner OF
the District Of Columbia in view of
the fact that he is a resigned officer
Of the United States army. there is q
precedent for such action in the appoint
meut of Capt Seth l. Phelps. who was
q graduate Of the Naval ACADEMY. and
served In the navy until after the close
Of the civil war when he resigned 10
enter the service Of the Pacific Mail
Company.
Captain Phelps was non-partisan in
politics and held the office Of Commits
siouer with Commissioner Josiah Dent
a Democrat, from July J 1873 to No
vember %. 1879, on the permanent Board
OF Commissioners. Previously he had
served from January IS, 1873, to June sO
1873 on the temporary Board OF Com
missioueTs. Like General. Johnston be
was q man of marked mental culture
and Of extended business experience
/ both IN the service and in private life
Commissioner Thomas z. Norgan yvba
served on the board with Captain Phelps
and Commissioner Dent. although class
ed as a Republican in the municipsF
campaigns in the District, was an ar
tive Democrat. so that party distinction
between the Commissioners mas not al
ways Deen closely drawn