Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-11-26
TAFT FAvORS INCUMBENTs
Suggested That Senate Might Not
Confirm Two Republicans.
CHANCE FOR LOCAL DEMOCRAT
Neither Johnston Nor Rudolph WILL
ing to Participate in a Contest for
Renewal of His Term of Office.

President Taft has reached no conclu-
sion about what he Will do as to send
ing to the Senate the nominations of two
District Commissioners. whose terms ex-
pire i'm January. but his present inc,lna-
ton Is to make these nominations at the
proper time and leave to the Senate the
question of confirmation
There has been called to the attention Of
the President by high authority in the
District government fact that may
have bearing upon the action of the
President. and later upon the attitude
that may be taken by the democrats Of
the Senate. 1t is the assertion that both
Commissioner Rudolph. chairman of the
board of Commissioners, and Commits
sioner Johnston are republicans. so far
as tney nave any politics at all. and
that III the democrats of the Senate are
expected to confirm the nomina tfons at
east one of the nominees must be a
democrat.
The position is taken that the demo-
Gratis would find methods 20 delay con-
firmation until after the 4th of March,
and that the new President would then
send In the nominations of one certain
democrat and republican.
Chance for Local Democrat.
The idea is conveyed that If the Pres
1dent should pick a local democrat OF
stand ng and send his nomination along
with one of the present Commissioners the
Senate would confirm it. That would
mean. IL the President should seek to
| carry it into effect, the elimination of
either Commissioner Johnston or Com
| miss oner Rudolph and he selection of a
! new man, a troublesome job that the
President, along with his many other
auties' might wish to avoid so near the
beginning Of new administration
An unofficial View today was that II
the democrats OF the District should
agree upon a good man, to whom there
could be no objection. the President
might, If made to understand this would
De satisfactory in the Senate, send this
name in along with Commissioner Ru-
dolph's in the event that Commissioner
johnston did not desire another term.
Unwilling to Enter Contest.
The impression in some quarters is that
! Commissioner Johnston cares little about
retaining his present position, and that
he would prefer not to enter any contest
that would look to having himself re-
nominated He was not candidate for
the position. and was picked by the
| President on personal grounds.
Commissioner Rudolph. on the other
! hand. although not a candidate in the
sense that he would enter a scramble.
| Is known to feel that his three years
| in Office have given him a good grasp
of local conditions and that another
| three years would enable him to do
great good for the District. Mr..
Rudolph, although classed a repub-
lican, has never been active in politics.
and when in business in the District
devoted himself to betterment of local
affairs without regard to politics
| Talk of Judson's Transfer.
There has been no movement in the
! War Department, so far as President
| Taft is aware. for the transfer of Com
| assistant to Col. Goethals. Il has been
known for some months that Col. Goethals
| would like to have Col. Judson with him
at Panama, but If he has made any re-
quest of the Secretary Of War for Col.
Judson no action has been taken in the
| War Department.
Commissioner Judson evidently does not
regard his transfer from the District To
Panama or e Sewhere imminent. He
| has recently confe red with President
| Taft about local subjects that are pend
! ing before Congress, and continues to
| take a most active part in all matters
| pertaining to the District, both in and
out of his office.
Satisfied With Incumbents.
The President is personally satisfied
with the work of both Commissioners
Rudolph and Johnston. He has felt that
the government of the District should be