Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-07-03
PstiEc4 H.
Pe'e&oqeso~io
BY tho Ex-Committeemaa

While Governor Martin G.. Brum-
lbaugh's appointment of Ex-Judge
Harold M. Mcclure, of Lewisburg,
to be member of the Public Service
Commission, gave the state a sur
prise, the selection seems to have
evoked much commentator, even
among those who have been critics
of the Governors course in choosing
men for high station in the state
government. 1t is even predicted that
the new commissioner may have
comparatively easy sailing when it
comes to confirmation by the Senate
of 1919. He is expected to qualify i'm
mediately and members of the COM
omission will welcome him.
Much speculation is being indulg-
Led in regarding the appointment and
I how the Governor came to make II,
but DR.. Brumbaugh has maintained
l'silence, apparently continuing the
policy he adopted right after the
l'primary. This policy is to follow his
own inclinations in making appoint
ments, disregarding certain Philadel-
phia influences and then sit back and
listen to the speculation as to his
motives. 1t is even intimated that the
Governor has. been enjoying himself
considerably lately.
Capitol Hill is telling some in
teresting tales about the appoint
ment. For some days there have been
rumors that the Governor had de-
cided to name some one in the Sus-
quehanna Valley, inasmuch as the
previous appointment, that of the
late Robert K. Young, had been
H., 1T
A determined drive was made for
Clarence d. Coughlin, of Wilkes
Barre, one of the ambitious men who
had carried the O'Neil flag last
month and there were reports that
Coughlin was backed by men close
to the Governor. He has been report
ed as close friend of William II.
Ball, secretary to the Governor.
However, Judge Mcclure is a noted
fighter of the liquor interests and his
activities in that direction probably
attracted the attention of the Gov
ernor, while he is also friendly to
people in the Union-Snyder district
who are close to DR.. Brumbaugh in
a personal and not political way.
Then, too, there are some who
think because Commissioner Mcclure
is q brother-in-law of Congressman
b. K. Focht, that the appointment
may cause some discoloration of the
waters.
The Philadelphia North Ameri-
can says this morning: 1.-THE appoint
ment of Judge Mcclure came as q
complete surprise to the Governors
private secretary, William II. Ball;
to the members of the commission.
Clarence d. Coughlin, of Wilkes
Barre, was expected here to-day to
discuss his chances of landing a job
with the Governor. A half-hour be-
fore the appointment was made Sec
retary Ball announced no appoint
ment was to be expected, and that
the fact Mcclure had dropped in to
see the Governor, while Coughlin was
supposed to be on his way here, was
just a coincidence
The Philadelphia Press also in
Inmates that Coughlin was being
pushed for the place and that he was
on his way here when the Mcclure
appointment was made.
The appointment completes the
commission for the first time in a
year. Commissioners Magee and
Ryan were reappointed and when
the new commissioner takes his
place the bench will be filled. Among
the commissioners there is apparent
ly a feeling of relief that the Gov
ernor has filled the place and the
new member will be greeted warmly.
The fact that Judge Mcclure
was a friend of Ex-Governor Tener
and came near being named on the
commission by him, is also much
commented upon.