Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-10
FUNDS MAY Be USED
Ruling ON Utilities Commission
Appropriation Given.
NEW BODY IS ORGANIZED
Commissioners Harding and Rudolph
Take Oath of Office.
MANY SEEKING POSITIONS
Permanent Omcers Will Be Selected
slowly-Decisions in Railway
Matters to Be Rendered.
MANY SEEKING POSITIONS

Controller of the Treasury Tracewell to-
day decided that the $4,000 appropriated
by Congress for the District of Columbia $
public utilities commission is Immediately
available. Question had been raised as
to whether the funds can be obtained al
once. or 1t will be necessary to wait until
July l. the beginning of the new fiscal
year, to effect permanent organization OF
the commission.
The new utilities body formally came
into existence this morning. Distinction
Of being its first members goes to En-
gineer Commissioner Harding and Com
missioner Rudolph, the former being
named chairman OF the commission.
BY reason Of the fact that he is trustee
Of an estate which Is interested in public
utility outside Washington. Commissioner
Johnston is not eligible to serve on the
board. The law provides that no Com
missioner may become a member of that
body who is interested, directly or indi-
rectly. in any public utility. within the
District OF Columbia or elsewhere.
Take Oath Of Office.
Ihe organization of the commission took
place IN the .boardroom of the Municipal
building. Commissioners Harding and Ru-
dolph were given the oath of Office by
John r. Young, clerk of the Supreme
Court OF the District of Columbia A sep
arate oath was administered E. H. Thorn
as. corporation ,unsel. who is to be the
commlSstons lega. adviser 1t was on mo-
ton OF Commissioner Rudolph that Col.
harding was made chairman
controller Tracewelfs decision reached
the Commissioners after the organization
OF the new utilities board had been eff
19CtHd OF fho&
force Of District employees will be or
gained to take charge of the work of the
commission. The first step planned is to
take over the duties of the District cleo
tric railway commission and render de-
cisions in some Of the matters which have
been pending before the railway board
Applications for positions with the new
commission are reaching the District
heads in considerable numbers. It Is the
plan Of the authorities to proceed slowly
in the matter of selecting the commits
sion's permanent officers and employees.
Scope Of Authority.
The law establishing the commission
gives that body control over all local pub.
lie utilities. with the exception of steam
railroads. the Washington Terminal Com.
pany, the Norfolk and Washington Steam.
boat Company and steamships that en-
gage In interstate trade.
When asked If he is connected with
any public utility. ID. ]. Callahan. gen.
eral manager Of the Norfolk and Wash
fngton Steamboat Company. and one
Of the candidates considered by former
President Taft to succeed Gen. Johns
ton as Commissioner of the District OF
Columbia, replied in the negative.
It is. pointed out that the company
with which Mr.. Callahan is connected
Is common carrier, and not a public
utility. For this reason the company
IL included with those concerns which
are specifically named in the public
utilities bill as being exempt from the
Jurisdiction of the commission.