Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-21

President Felt Duty Called Him.
President Taft, before making the nomi-
nations. was frequently told that there
was much doubt whether the nomina-
tions would be confirmed. He said that
he could not help that. 1t was his duty
to fill these vacancies and he had done
so after most careful consideration Of all
the candidates mentioned for the hOnors-
He had selected two men. he said. who
stood high in the District and whose
qualifications guaranteed safe and good
government to the people of the Dis
trict- 1t was not his business to lay
awake at nights worrying over confir-
nation and he would not do SO.
Long Under Amusement.
The President has had the nominations
under advisement for six weeks. The
commissions of Commissioners Rudolph
and Johnston expire tomorrow. They
began their three-year terms January
23. 1910. and will have completed the
three years tomorrow afternoon. The
President determined upon the nomina-
tion of Commissioner Rudolph because
the record of that official, he said. had
been satisfactory to the entire District.
and because there was not single OBJ
lection raised by any organization or
citizen to Mr. Rudolph being continued
in his position.
Gen. Johnston was practically drafted
four years ago for Commissioner and did
not seek or desire another term. In view
of that attitude the President cast around
for another man. He has at various times
given thought to half dozen prominent
citizens of the District. including. besides
Callahan. Charles w. Darr, E. H. Droop
W. F. Guide. H L. Rust and j. Holds
worth Gordon. From the first the Presi-
dent has been strongly inclined to Capt
w hn 1vx- tod
with him, but at one time he veered to-
ward Sinclair and Callahan, both of whom
We're pushed by influential friends.
Wished to Settle Judgeship.
The nominations would undoubtedly
have been made some time ago but for
the wish of the President to settle at the
same time the juvenile judgeship vacancy,
which has been hanging for settlement
since late last summer. That the Presi-
dent concluded to separate the nomina-
tions indicates that he Is not ready to
take action upon the judgeship
The President has been disposed. as
stated. to sympathize with Judge De Lacy
and give that jurist Another term. At
torney General Wickersham has been op-
posed to Judge De Lacy and there has
been furious fight for months back over
this position, friends and opponents of
the Juvenile Court judge ticking part.
the President from the Department Of
Justice. contained thousands of pages of
manuscript. in the shape of letters, petit
tions etc
20 into all this and will do nothing until
he knows the facts.
Did Not Think of Politics.
When President Taft named Commits
sioners Rudolph and Johnston he spent
little time thinking OF their politics. He
had been told that neither was a parti-
san. although Mr.. Rudolph was supposed
10 be republican. Gen. Johnston. as a
former officer OF the army. was without
poitics- The President did not then be-
hcve ne was establishing a precedent OF.
rather. breaking one, the traditions of the
District commissionerships having been
should be named with an army officer
without politics as Engineer Commits
sioncr.
In making the present nominations. Mr..
TAFT felt that to offset criticism he should
choose "A republican and democrat, in
accordance with former custom.
Capt. Oyster. whose democracy was
vouehed for to the President by a num-
ber of prominent democrats. Including
Representative Lloyd. chairman of the
democratic congressional committee. was
finally settled upon as the man.
Not only was his politics agreeable to
democrats of Senate and House, but the
President was satisfied with Cant Ovs.
ter when told that he was uncontrollet
from any direction and that as a Com
missioner he would enter office without
promises and in position to favor no one
Objection of Corporation Influence.
To one or two of the other candidates
for Commissioner representing TN,
democratic party objection was made or
one ground or another i'm one case tba
corporation influence would be strong
1t Is significant that John +. Costello
). the democratic national committeemaI