Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-11-06
WOULD RETURN PROUTY.
President Reluctant 10 Let judge Re.
tire from Commission.

Washington, Nov. 2.-prcsident Wilson
is hestating over the question whether
TO permit Charles a. prouty of Vermont
to retire from the Interstate commerce
commission to become director of the
bureau of physical valuation of railroads
or to require prouty to serve ont his
term which will expire December 81 1914
Judge Prouty had been selected for this
newly created position by the interstate
commerce commission. within whose gift
/ the place Is. and about two weeks ago he
acquainted the President with his desire
to take up the new work. At that time
! President Wilson expressed his approval
Of the idea, but since then vigorous pro-
tests have been made by shippers and
others against the retirement of Judge
rrouty from the commission. and the
President is puzzled what to do.
Curiously enough, an executive order
| is necessary to enable Judge Prouty to
become director Of physical valuations
for all the employees of the bureau from
the director down, are appointed under
civil service, and it is Just as necessary
to exempt Judge Prouty from civil scrv-
ice examination as it would be his hum
blest subordinate. The President has
]
commission to employ d number of com
petcnt engineers. but for some days he
has withheld his zen from the order eX-
cmpting Judge Prouty
Several reasons are operating TO
cause the President to hesitate. chief
Of which is the desire to retain tho
services of Commissioner Prouty for
the decision Of the eastern advance
rate cases No man i'm the commission
is as familiar with conditions which
affect eastern roads as Judge proutv.
and while the railroad companies are
making a strong case for themselves
and undoubtedly some members of the
commission are inclined to believe that
some advance would he justified, the
shippers naturally oppose any advance.
Judge rrouty holds no brief for either
side but it is felt that his knowIedge
ami experience will be needed in the
commission when this important ques-
tion comes up for action
The reluctance to let Judge Proutv
20 is accumulated by the fact that the
term of Commissioner Judsun G. Glenn
ents will expire December 81 Of this
year and should he fail Of roapuoint-
mcnt, which is unlikely. and Judge
Prouty also get off the commission.
that body would bc materially weak
"ued while a case of vital Importance
to the eastern railroads and to bust
ness generally awaits it's decision.
Judge Clements is democrat AMI "a
man of llnc ability and no reason cx-
lists for believing that he will not be
reappointcd Nevertheless. possibility
Is realized by all concerned and it is
n factor in the situation
When 1t was supposed that Commits
sioncr rrouty would retire, it was let
drop IN official circles that "a prom
inent eastern democrat" would be named
to succeed him 40 intimation as to
who this man is was given. although
there was ground for believing that the
new man would he either David O. Ives
Of Boston, Patrick J. Farrell of Yer
mont, or cN-GoV. Robert T.. Glynn OF
North Carolina. The other known cam
didates are Martin :. Decker and Milo r.
, Maltbie OF New York. both o. whom
happen to be in Washington at the pres
ent time as members OF the New York
public service commission.
Nr Maltbie has made an exceedingly
good impression. While here where ma
turally he has attracted little unusual
attention to himself because of his
known candidacv. The matter is likely
to be settled before long. Judge Proutv
desired to retire Yesterday. As these
dispatches already have Indicated he is
unlikely to remain on the commission
beyond the expiration of his term in any
event