The Washington times., 1913-01-24
DISTRICT SPLIT
OVER CHOICE OF
COMMISSIONERS
One Mass Meeting Confirms and
Another Protests Against
Appointees.

The District today finds itself hope
lessly divided in sentiment regarding the
confirmation by Congress of the two
Commissioners. nominations for which
were sent to the Capitol by the Presi-
dent on Tuesday.
At two mass meetings of citizens.
held yesterday afternoon and last
night in different parts of the city, one
body went on record as favoring the
confirmation of Compissioner Rudolph
and Capt. James F. Oyster, while sec
ond expressed itself as being unal-
terably opposed to such course.
Citizens At Odds.
The first, a meeting of representative
citizens of Washington, at the Ma
tional Theater during the afternoon,
vigorously defended the right of Presi-
dent Taft to nominate the two Com
nissioners 10 take the place of those
whose terms of office expire during his
Administration.
Four hours later. at the old Masonic
Temple the Democrats OK Washington,
expressing surprise at President Taft's
course in appointing two men to pre-
side over the destinies of the District
during the four years which his sue
cessor, Governor Wilson. will be re-
ouired to live here, opposed the con-
firmation.
The Democrats recorded themselves
as favoring the selection of two Demo-
Gratis for the positions and not one
Democrat and one Republican. and de-
termined to ask Congress to refuse to
confirm President Tafts nominations.
They Will request that President-eiect
wilson be given an opportunity to Sc
lect the next Commissioners.
Urge Confirmation.
The mass meeting in the National
Theater adopted resolution express
ing confidence in the integrity. sound
Judgment. andtloyal devotion to the
interests of both the Government and
the people" of Commissioner Rudolph
and Captain oyster, and appealed to
the Senate to promptly confirm the ap-
poinfment of 'these worthy representa-
tive citizens:
The necessity of appointing men to
oiice who by their. public records have
demonstrated their capabilities, was
aweit on by Myron j. Jones. of the
Young Mems Christian Association. "
would be detrimental to the best in
terests of the city, he said IL the
men chosen were without experience i'm
The handling of public, affairs
E. p Holiday, vice president. OF the
Chevy Chase Citizens, Association.
said that the. citizens of the District
may rest assured that, If confirmed,
Commissioner Rudolph and Captain
Oyster win administer the affairs OF
the city wIthou. fear. or favor
Ii was declared by William T CALI
her. president. that II would be a step
backward If the Commissioners were
appointed because of party affiliations.
Mr.. Rudolph. as president OF the Board
of Trade and Commissioner of the Dis
trict. and Captain oyster by his admin
tstration of school affairs, he said, have
proved conclusyely their ability and
have been faithful to every trust COM
mitted to them.
Oppose Partisan Politics.
That President Taft is better qualified
to appoint the Commissioners that Presl-
dent-elect Wilson by reason because Of
his more intimate knowledge of the
needs of the District was the contention
of Maurice Rosenberg. Partisan poll
tics, Mr.. Rosenberg said, should not be
allowed to enter the question, but that
only the best need of the city should
be consulted.
On the platform were Henry Franc,
George w. White. Adds B. Browne. s.
D. Porter. z. c. Graham, Thomas Grant,
Thomas S. Melton, Joseph Strasburger,
Maurice Rosenberg. Major T. T. Smith,
G. J. Goekeler, S. ]. Prescott, ID. s. Por-
ter, Walter Mcdowell. William d. Hoov-
or. II. Albert Schulteis- William NJ.
Shuster. Isaac Cans. George w. Evans.
and E. p. Holiday, and Myron ]. Jones.
At the Democratic meeting in the Old
Masonic Temple. the opinion was unani-
nous among the speaker that both Com
missioners should be Democrats, follow
ing The precedent established by Presi-
dent Taft three years ago in appointing
two Republicans.
"Sauce for Goose"
William Nick. Clayton declared that
what is sauce for the goose is sauce
for the gander." and that it should be
Rft TO President-elect Wilson TO appoint
two Democrats. ,-...---'
Similar sentiments we're expressed by
NJ. J. Weller While he defended the
Democracy of Captain Oyster who ne
said has been a life long member of the
party, Mr.. Weller declared that an ont
geing Republican President had no right
TO name Commissioners for an incoming
Democratic President.
letter was read by Z. T. Benton,
jr, which he said he has addressed TO
every democratic Senator protesting
against the nomination OF Captain Oys-
ter and Commissioner Rudolph. Ad-
dresses were made also by George c.
Montgomery. John B. Colpoys. William
j. Neale. and ID. G. OCallahan.
Resolutions protesting against the
confirmation on the ground that The |
selection of the new board should he !
left 20 Mr.. Wilson and authorizing the !!
cIhair 10 appoint committee Of fifteen |
to convey the protests to the Senate /
were adopted
The meeting was called to order by
Lorenzo g Warfield. John y. Costello,
national committeeman, presided.