The Washington times., 1913-07-12
SENATE TO CONFIRM
NEWMAN FORPOST
Action to Be Taken Despite
Opposition of "Home Rule"
Committee.

Despite enOrtSr OF the nome rule
committee the Senate will confirm
Oliver p. Newman as District Com
missioner early the coming week. Yes
terday afternoon, without opposition,
the nominations of F. L. Siddons. as
District Commissioner, and J. Wilmer
Latimer. as judge of the Juvenile
Court were confirmed.
Senator Smith, chairman of the Dis
trict Committee, in accordance with The
action of the committee earlier in the
day, reported the nomination of Mr..
Newman to the Senate. That body will
not be in session today or he would
probably be confirmed this Afternoon.
1t will meet Monday.
More firmly convinced were the MEM
bers of the Senate District Committee of
the eligibility of Mr.. Newman for the
Commissionership, on the presentation
of a telegram from the latter's en-
Washington Is the place Of his resi-
dence. The telegram was submitted to
the committee by Jackson H. Ralston,
Mr.. Newman's attorney. 1t is as FOL
lows:
''St. Paul, Mimi, July 10. 1913.
las the president and general man
ager of Newspaper Enterprise Associa-
tion, l employed Oliver p. Newman and
brought him to Chicago on temporary
assignment to cover national campaign.
His return to Washington was contem-
plated at that time, and my successor
so transferred him to Washington when
campaign closed. At time Of employ
ment Newman stipulated that he de-
sired Washington Station as he re-
garded that as home and wanted to
remain there His stay in Chicago was
solely temporary and on special assign
ment.
wv. B. CoLvER"
When President Wilson returns to
Washington, he will be asked to con-
slider the data filed against Frank B.
withdraw his name. 1t developed that
the committee yesterday deferred action
on Mr. Lord in order to give the
President an opportunity to consider the
affidavits.
Leaders of Opposition.
Senators Jones and Works are leading
in the opposition to Mr.. Lord, but there
Is also Democratic opposition. 1t was
stated in an authoritative quarter today
that the real reason the Senate commit
tee deferred action yesterday was to
enable Senators to suggest withdrawal
of the name as the best way out Of the
situation.
The home rule committee" met last
continue its fight against Mr.. Newman.
william ]. Neale was authorized to Sc
lect a committee OF five to draft men,
orial protesting against Mr.. Newman's
confirmation. This will be presented to
the Senate itself. The committee con-
sistc of F. Edward Mitchell. b. G, Brown,
]. N. England. c. C. Lancaster, and W.
J. Frizzel.
Test of Eligibility.
The committee adopted a resolution
directing the chairman to name a COM
mittee Of five to begin proceedings In
the District Supreme Court to test Mr..
Newman's eligibility. Before that is
done, the Attorney General or the Dis
trict Attorney will be requested to file
a suit in the name Of the United States.
Various persons have repudiated their
alleged connection with the home rule
committee" Those who have done 50
are H. L. Rust, DR.. Charles NJ. En-
mons, Julius Tolson. and DR.. Walter c.
Murphy.
It is generally understood that Mr.
Siddons, whose nomination already has
been favorably acted upon by the Sem
ate, will not take the oath of office as
Commissioner until after the confirma-
ton of Mr.. Newman. Custom always
has required the two incoming Commits
sioners to be sworn in together. al
though there is no law requiring it.
Mr. Wilson will return to Washington
Monday and at the same time, II is ex-
pected that the Senate will confirm Mr.
Newman Then the commissions of Mr.
S'ddons and Mr.. Newman will be signed
by the President.
The Commissioners will be required to
take two oaths when they come into Of
flee. one as Commissioner and the other
as member of the Public Utilities Com
mission. This is the first time the dou-
BILE oath has been required.