Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-17

Frederick Lincoln Siddons of this city
will probably be one of the selections of
President Wilson for Commissioner of
the District of Columbia. There will be
. no surprise in we'll informed circles If
his name goes to the Senate next week.
II the nomination is not made then it will
probably be because the President has
not had time TO 90 over the papers and
select another Commissioner to go along
with Mr.. Siddons.
This unconfirmed announcement of Mr..
SiddOnS' selection will be somewhat of a
hombshelI i'm local democratic circles, in
asmuch as he has no afficiatiOns with the
various factions that have struggled so
long TO control party affairs here, and will
lie regarded by many as OF significance as
showing that President Wilson is hunt
ing high-class men. regardless of their
politics. for appointment as District Com
mssioners.
Mr.. Sddons name has been mentioned
only once in connection with the Com
missionership, but at that time had not
teen presented at the White House.
Not Mixed Up in Politics.
Those who have urged Mr.. Siddons'
name on the President have told Mr.
Wilson frankly that he has no partisan
political affiliations. and that he ha:
not taken part in campaigns of any kline
except for the betterment of sociological
and municipal conditions. He has. how
ever, il is stated. very definite ideas or
how to make Washington a model OF city
government. these ideas having been
gained from connection OF severa
years with the various social and CIVIC
bodies interested in sociological and vel
fare work. and from study or these ques-
tions. He is represented as a close stu
dent of political economy. sociology and
the science of government.
His chief administrative experience has
been gained in the practice of his profess
SION Of the law. He is a member of the
divorce congress convened by the Govern
or of Pennsylvania. is one of three COM
miss-oners on UNIFORM laws in the District
OF Columbia and was a member OF the
Presidents homes commission.
Mr.. Siddons is a member of the law
firm of Ralston. Siddons & Richardson
and is forty-nne years old. He was born
in London. November Il, 1854. and his
father was the late Prof. j. III. Siddons
then in London. although citizen OF
this country.
His parents returned u the United
States in 1879. living in New York and
ina iottcsvilie. Va, until 1873. when
they came 10 Washington to make their
home. Mr.. Siddons was graduated from
George Washington University and was
admitted 10 the bar in 1855. In April.
1892. he married Miss Harriet Charles
\ an 3uhPH OF Virginia ana they have
two children. MIR. Siddons is a member
OF the American Bar Association and
other legal organizations. and has been a
member Of the Board of Trade and Cham
Der of Commerce for a number of years
What President Wilson Desires.
President Wilson. it has become
known. in connection with the prob.
able selection of Mr.. Siddons, has en-
phasized that he does not desire an,
one for District Commissioner who il
at all connected with the real estate
interests Of this city. He is stiIl i'm.
pressed with the idea that if there ::
10 such thing as a real estate rims
here II - highly improper that ths
commissioners Of the city should have
connections that would lay them liable
10 The charge Of fayoring real esIat,
dealers and speculators.
Beyond the desire to see his ap-
Jolhtees as District Commissioners free
from entangiing interests or alliance.
an 4 wisn chat they should b~ men oi
hiSh character tile President has ex.
pressed no especial preference Ii is as
serted by friends of MIR. Siddons who
have urged his name that beyond his
legal work he has no affilia ton with Der.
sons engaged in the real estate bust.
ness in the District.
IL is positively known that the Presi.
den. has gotten no further in the Dis
trict Commissioner contest than to in
oIcate liking for Mr.. Siddons He has
not Yet gone through the papers of other
candidates. but intends to do so within
the next few days, if he inds oppor.
tunity everything depending upon wha1
other matters of public importance ar.
brought before him.