The Washington herald., 1913-06-18
CONTEST IS CUT
down TO Three
Newman, Darr, and Clayton
Are Most Prominently
Mentioned.
TWO ONLY TO BE CHOSEN
Protest Made Against Newman on Ac-
count Of His Not Living in the
District Three Years.
TWO ONLY TO BE CHOSEN

The strenuous struggle over the two
District Commisslonerships yesterday
afternoon narrowed down to three com.
batants-Oliver p. Newman, newsnape,
man; William Nick. Clayton, lawyer and
civic worker. and Charles W. Darr, law
yer and Democratic warrior.
This information came last night from
a renaole source, thus eliminating from
tne long list OF candidates all but ths
fortunate three. From these three men,
according to the authentic report. will
De selected the new Commissioners by
President Wilson
The question which Is now puzzlfng
the Chief Executive is the elimination
OF one OF the three selected Democrats.
which one OF them will be turned aside
Is a matter difficult even to speculate
upon at the present time. The chances
OF all three candidates are considered
extremely close and almost equal. The
qualfhcations Of the men are being care
fully reviewed by the President and
the much-sought-for appointments doubt
lessly VIII be made in a day or two
Protest Against Newman.
Henry E. Davis, the local lawyer and
Democrat, called at the White Hou.
early yesterday for the purpose of urt
ing the President. through secretar
Tumulty, to appoint to the position
Democrats that are friendly TO the Ger
trai Democratic committee, with wtfc
National Committeeman John E. Cos
tello Is affiliated Mr.. Davis also yoicet
his opposition to Mr.. Newman on ths
ground that he had not taken any active
part in furthering the Democratic cause
In the District, either financially or
vfE.
eligible because OF not having resided in
the CAPITAL for three full years imme-
dIately prior to the time of appointment.
Mr.. Davis pointed out that Mr. Newman
had spent a great part of the last wear
out OF the city.
Mr.. Costello and ]. S. Easby-snfth.
who have manifested much interest in
the Commissionership fight, also visited
the White House yesterday. number
OF communications were received dur
ing the day concerning the appointments
Mr.. Costello has been lending his SUM-
port to w. V. Cox, but President Wilson
has put aside the name of Mr.. Cox be-
cause Of the fact that he is a trustee
of the Emery estate of this city. The
President is determined to appoint no
one who is in the least manner con-
nected with local real estate interests.
1t was stated a few days ago that Mr..
Costello's name was being considered by
the President, but the national commit
teeman has been eliminated from the
race. There was some talk yesterday
morning of DR.. William c. Woodward.
District Health Officer. being a possible
choice, but the name has been dropped
from the Presidents list of probabilities.
Dnrr's Qualifications.
Mr.. Darr was one Of the foremost
ms - he g.
At the time OF the Baltimore convention
used its influence in behalf Of the nomi-
nation OF Mr.. Wilson. The faction with
which Mr.. Costello was affiliated sup
ported Champ Clark up to the last. but
transferred its aid to Mr.. Wilson in the
best of spirit upon seeing that he was
practically the unanimous choice for
President
Mr.. Clayton Is considered to have ex-
cellent chances for selection He took
an active part in the last campaign, and
was elected secretary Of the Central DEM
ocratic Committee, Of which ]. Fred Kel-
ley was chairman Mr.. Clayton was SEQ
retary of the central committee during
the preceding campaign. and has been ac-
tive in local Democratic politics for many
years. He has gained considerable promi-
nence through his civic activities. He
was president of the Federation OF Cid
zen's Associations for several years, and,
as a result of serving in that capacity.
became familiar with all the details OF
local government. As president Of the
he has been instrumental
in obtaining much of what legislation the
District has received at the hands OF
Congress during the last few years. He
has many friends at the Capitol, and, IL
he is selected by the President. there will
probably be no serious trouble over his
The objection of Mr.. Davis to the eff
feet that Mr.. Newman has failed to COM
ply with the residence clause Of the law
seems a valid one, and unless the OBJ
stacle is side-stepped in some unforeseen
the President must necessarily
drop him from the list of probabilities.