Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-19
Oliver P. Newman and Fred
erick l. SiddonS Are
Sworn In.
JOURNALIST ELECTED
PRESIDENT OF BOARD
Rudolph and Johnston, Retiring Of.
ticials, Present at Today's
Ceremonies.

Oliver p Newman this morning was
elected president Of the twenty-seventh
board of Commissioners to direct the af-
fairs of the District Of Columbia gov
ernment since the going into effect OF
the organic act in 1873.
The new administration to which Presi-
dent Wilson has delegated the duty OF
instituting reforms looking toward the
establishment of a model municipal gov
ernment in the National Capital got down
to business Immediately following the in
duction into Office Of Mr.. Newman and
Frederick L. Siddons. the other civilian
member of the board, which took place
in the boardroom of the municipal build
ing at IL o'clock.
Col Chester Harding, the only hold
over member of the old commission, was
present at the first meeting of the new
board He will continue as the chairman
of the public utilities commission po-
sition he has filled since the organization
that the first chairman shall serve until
the first week in January, 1914.
Witness Ceremonies.
Officials and employees of the local gov
ernment and a large number of friends of
the incoming Commissioners witnessed the
induction into Office ceremonies. The
new officials were sworn in by DR.. Will
liam Tindall, secretary to the board.
They took the oath Of office as members
of the public utilities commission be-
fore John r. Young, clerk of the Dis
trict of Columbia Supreme Court.
In attendance at the exercises were all
the members of the old board, Commits
Sioner Johnston, who is spending the
summer at Thousand Islands. having
made the trip to Washington especially
for the occasion
Cuno III. Rudolph, president of the
board, whose administration of more than
three years today formally was brought
to a close. welcomed the successors of
himself and Gen. Johnston. brief
ception was held at the conclusion of
the formalities.
Lauds District Employees.
President Rudolph's remarks included
a reference to the faithful service render
ed by the Districts employees to the old
board. He said:
Just q brief word OF weleame to the
two gentlemen about to take the oath of
Office. You see before you, Mr. Siddons
and MI. Newman, many of those with
whom you will be officially associated
They are men and women who have
faithfully served the community, some
for many years, others for lesser
period. but all have shown themselves
loyal to their trust, and efficient in dis
charge Of their duties. There is, in my
opinion, no more competent staff Of
municipal servants to be found any
where. They have had with the retiring
board Of Commissioners a real part in
what those Commissioners have been
able to accomplish for the National Cap
ftal. I know / express the sentiment of
all here assembled when l tell you that
we wish for you the largest measure of
success In your WORK. and hope that the
days to be spent in your new official
home may be happy and fruitful
March to Boardroom.
Prior to the beginning of the formal
ceremonies all of the Commissioners
met in the Office of Mr.. Rudolph.
Promptly at II o'clock they marched in
body to the boardroom. the outgoing
officials taking their usual places
around the board table. while their
successors were given seats at the east
end Of the table
hudolph the Commissioners oath of
off1ce was administered, at the conclu-
sion OF which the new officials took
regular places at the board table. They
utilities commission
1hose present were received by the
Comm1ss ssioners. passing from east to
west and going out by the southwest
door.
At the conclusion of the recention
the board Immediately held an execu-
i've session. at which Mr.. Newman was
erected president What other busi-
ness was transacted is not known. 1t
is believed that the question of divid
ing up the work of the board so as to
give the members special Jurisdiction
over certain departments of the local
government was discussed. but it is
likely that the board will mot tale
definite action in the matter until next
week.
Commissioners Newman, Siddons and
Harding will attend the dinner to be
gwen by officials and employees of the
District at Rauscher's tonight in honor
or Mr. Rudolph and Gen. Johnston
Corporation Counsel E. H. Thomas is