The Washington times., 1917-09-28

changes in the firm, Clarence X. VIII
son has taken part with his father.
II Mr.. Wilson is really interested in
the Commissionership he has friends
in position to easily present his quail
fications directly to the President
who is known to have in mind the
selection OF as big q man as 1t Is pos
sible to obtain for the $4,000 year
salary attached to the vacancy.
Fight Looms Up.
While Mr.. Wilson looms up as q
possibility there likewise looms up q
formidable hght on him should his
nomination be sent to the Senate. Mr..
Wilson, Democratic leaders in Wash
Ington today pointed out, is q Repub-
lican, without sympathy, they claim.
for the Democratic Administration.
He was appointed United States at
torney for the District by President
Taft and served until he was displaced
by the nomination of District Attor-
ney Laskey by the present Admins
tration. On political lines, though, a
tight on Mr.. Wilson would probably
accomplish nothing. The theory Of
the rule of the District by Commis-
sioners is that there shall be one rep
resentative of each political party on
the board and an Engineer Commis-
sioner who shall be an engineer Of
ficer of the army.
The opposition threatened is from
the friends and hackers of Wade
Cooper, the fighting president OF the
Union Savings Bank, and It would
revive the sensation caused by the
charges brought against a Judge OF
the District Supreme Court and the
Indictment procured against Mr..
Cooper by Mr.. Wilson as United
States Attorney.
That indictment was never brought
to hearing, although Mr.. Cooper
made every effort to have IT pressed
in court. The whole thing left Bit
ter scars and memories, and II was
indicated today that Mr.. Cooper is
getting ammunition ready.
Strong Support Promised.
Regardless of all these reports, Mr..
Wilson would have strong support for
the Commissionership. He stands
high in the legal profession, and is a
member of the exclusive Metropolitan
and Chevy Chase clubs. He measures
up. his friends believe, to the high
TO reach in selecting a Commissioner.
Mr.. Wilson, 1t is known this after
noon. however, Is not the man the
President has in mind for the posi-
ton
In the District Building and else
where in Washington the friends OF
Ben Prince, all the time looked upon
as having the inside for the Com
mIssionership, are up in the air.
"If the President intended to name
Prince, what is he waiting forf' is
an hourly inquiry. And the friends
OF Clayton, Rice, Westlake. Wells
and others who have been put for
ward are watching the whole thing
with a new interest in view of the
developments of the last few days.
They have made no fight against
Prince, but have looked out for their
own candidates..
There is intense desire on their
part, as good and loyal District citi-
zens, that the President act Exceed
ingly important District matters await
the nomination OF a new Commission
er. The load upon the present Com
missioners, especially Commissioner
Brownlow. is exceedingly heavy.
Revision of the traffic regulations
of the District. now becoming more
imperative each day by reason of the
alarming increase In accidents in
Washington streets, is one OF the big
problems that is held up pending Sc
lection of a new man. Before the reg
ulations are adopted hearings will
be necessary. These hearings were
to have been held before this.