The Washington herald., 1913-01-22
flight TOBE MAD F
DENOMINATIONS
Opposition to Confirmation Of
Rudolph and Oyster Be-
gins to Crystalline.
LIKELY TO BE HELD UP
District Democrats Believe President
Wilson Should Name the
Commissioners.
LIKELY TO BE HELD UP

| Opposition to confirmation of Cuno II.
Rudolph and James F. Oyster, nomi-
mated by President Taft yesterday as
civilian Commissioners, Mr.. Rudolph to
succeed himself, Mr.. Oyster to succeed
Commissioner Johnston. has already
lcrystalized, and Democratic Senators. as
well as District Democrats. predicted
last night that the appointments would
be held for the next administration to
make.
The attitude Of the Senate toward the
nomination OF Mai. Chester Harding.
| nominated to succeed Col. William V.
Judson as engineer Commissioner, is not
quite apparent. but the stubborn resist
ance to be offered against the Rudolph
and Oyster nominations may be extended
to the army man also.
Only a division of the Commissioners
| offices between the Republicans, of whom
Mr.. Rudolph is held to be the represent
ative. and the Democrats, OF whom Capt.
Oyster is held to be the representative,
affords any hope of confirmation OF the
two nominations. il is stated.
slight Hope Is Held.
This hope. however. is held to be
slight. for while Senate Democrats gen.
erallyN regard both Mr.. Rudolph and
Capt. Oyster highly. they oppose con-
firmation of Presidents Tafts nomina-
tions. Besides, some Senate Democrats
say, President-elect Wilson. who will sue
coed President Taft in six weeks. ought
to have the naming of these officials,
most OF whose three-year terms run out
in the next administration. and whose
positions bring them close TO the White
House.
Organization Democrats OF the District.
who constantly refrained from recon-
mendinE any one to President Taft will
fight with all their force to prevent
confirmation. Democratic National Com
mittecman John F. Costello arose in a
Board of Trade meeting at the New
Willard last night for the purpose. he
stated later. OF opposing adoption Of
resolution praising President Taft for
the nomination OF Messrs. Rudolph and
Oyster. but Mr.. Costello was not recog-
nized by the chair.
Il intended to oppose the resolution be-
cause ! think President Wilson should
be allowed to make the appointments"
Mr. Costello said after the meeting
The fight on the nominations is eX-
pected to bring all the factions OF the
local Democrats together. Representa-
tives of the several factions declared last
night that henceforth they will work to-
gether.
With the supporters Messrs Rudolph
and Oyster have on both sides OF the
Senate, their friends assert. their nomi-
nations will be confirmed. They have
the support of many influential citizens
including some of the Democrats other
than Capt. Oyster. who were recon-
mended to President Taft for one civilian
commissionership.
Native of Baltimore.
timore June 26. 1860. He came to Wash
ington twenty-three years ago and en-
gagged in the hardware trade. He was
head OF the firm of Rudolph & West
when he became president of the board
OF District Commissioners three years
ago. He has been president of the Wash
ington Board of Trade and prominent in
civic and charity works Commissioner
Rudolph and Mrs. Rudolph live at the
Dresden apartments.
Capt Oyster, born February H. 1851, |
has resided in Washington all his life. |
He is president of the Board OF Educa- |
tion, has been president of the Washing |
ton Chamber of Commerce. and has been |
a leader in commercial. civic. military. |
and fraternal organizations. He is in the !
butter and egg business. Capt. and Mrs |
Oyster, who have two children. Miss |
ftelene ana Norman w. oyster, i've at |
1914 Rhode Island Avenue Northwest
Mai Harding, Of the Army Engineer |
Corps, nominated to succeed Col. Judson, |
whose term as Engineer Commissioner |
expires next month. was born in Enter |
prise. Miss. December 81, 1856, and grad
uated from the Military Academy at |
West Point in 1889. He was assistant to |
the District Engineer Commissioner from |
1901 TO 1906. He is at present stationed at
ThA por, 10 9c orrfal md
has three children. The Engineer Com
mlssioner's term is for four years.