Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-24
ResignaHonSent
TO WiteHOuse
With Regrets.
BOARD DEPRIVED
OF TWO MEMBERS
PresidentWllst Name q
Successor Before the
Commissioner Goes.

6 nan e1HhoduSSo toopS ShaS hS
had rendered his resignation to Presi-
dent Wilson.
He resigned to accept the position
is known that Petersburg mas offered
him practically double the salary he
has been receiving as District Com
MISS er-s5, 900.
In his letter to the President Mr..
Brownlow asked that his resignation
take effect September Is. it being the
desire of the city council of Peters
burg to have him take up his new
duties as soon as possible.
The Commissioner stated today at
noon that he had not received word
from the White House OF the accept
ance of his resignation by the chief
executive.
If the President should accept the
resignation-and there is no doubt
that he villa recess appointee would
have to be named before Mr.. Brown
low could leave the city, for the rea-
son that the District government
could not function with one Commits
sioner.
Two Vacancies on Board.
The resignation of Commissioner
Brownlow leaves two vacancies on the
board of Commissioners. One of the
vacancies has existed since last No
vember, when Commissioner w. Gwynn
Gardiner asked the President to re-
lieve him from office.
In formal statement issued a few
come known Mr.. Brownlow expressed
regret at leaving Washington.
Mr.. Brownlow's term would have
expired on January 81. and although
there has been much speculation as
to whether he would be nominated or
would accept another nomination, his
announcement today came as a COM
plete surprise to every one in the Dis
trict building.
Mr. Brovnlovv's Statement.
Mr.. Brownlow's statement follows:
1t Is with deep regret that 1
leave the service q the people of
more than five and half Yeas in
the commissionership. The people
have been helpful and kindly at
all times. and have been appre-
cnmn,;.h cia.iys when s,tia was able to &C &C
me adequately to express my
gratitude to the public for the
support have received
All my life shall remember with
the greatest pleasure the associa-
tions that centered about my work
in the commissionership, and al
ways l shall be proud Of the way
in which the men and women Of
Washington responded to every
call for service that and my fell
AoW SOHHIHlSSlOuGTS maze upon
them during the trying periods of
the world war.
But most of all I regret taking
leave of my fellow workers in the
District government. q group Of
faithful and able men and women
who have worked increasingly un-
der the most Instantaneous cor
cumstances to keep for Washing
ton what Washington long has had
"a municipal government of the
highest standard of efficiency.
Reluctant to Go.
His letter to President Wilson ask
ing to be relieved from Office. reads:
my Dear Mr.. President:
1T is with great reluctance that 1
tender and ask you to accept my
resignation as Commissioner of the
District of Columbia. 1t has been a
high privilege to serve under you and
l am deeply grateful for the generous
support and wise counsel you have
given me. i have been offered the
position OF city manager of Peters,
burg. Va. and after careful thought
/ have decided that it is my duty to
accept
Much as l regret leaving Washing
ton, for whose people / have such
genuine affection and in whose future
l have an interest that can never fail.
feel that no longer can afford the
sacrifice entailed by retaining my
present position. In Petersburg 1 am
convinced l will find an exceptional
opportunity to be of service and to do
work of constructive character.
The authorities in Petersburg ask
ed me to come to them as soon as
practicable. and therefore I trust you
will accept my resignation to take
effect on September Is.
May 1 again thank you for your
unfailing support and consideration"
VIII Head City Council.
Petersburg has a population of 3D.
002 and is governed by a city council
of five members, who form the legis-
lative branch Of the administration.
Mr.. Brownlow as city manager will
be the executive head of the govern
ment.
Mr.. Brownlow was in Petersburg
last Sunday. but the purpose of his
visit did not become known until
today.
An interesting question raised. to-
day was whether an appointment
made at this time would be to fill the
remaining six months of Mr.. Brown
lows term or for the regular period
of three years. The same question
came up when Mr.. Gardiner was ap-
pointed to succeed Oliver P New
man, who resigned to enter the Army
curing the war.
If the President accepts the resigna-
tion and names recess appointee to
complete Mr.. BrownlowS term the new
man could take Office Immediately, and
his name would go before the Senate
for confirmation in December. The
question in the minds of many today
was whether such an appointee's term
would expire on January 21 or be for
three years.
Unique Year for ID. c.
The District government has just
passed through what is perhaps the
most unique year in its history. Since
November there have been only two
Commissioners.
The engineer Commissioner. Col
Charles W. Kutz, has three assist
ants, any one of whom can act
in his absence. There is no provi-
sion. however, under which sub
ordinate can act for one of the civil
ian Commissioners. and for this rea-
son Mr.. Brownlow has had to keep
close to the District building during
the past twelve months. And, al
though the city has had only two
Commissioners since November. this
period has been a tedious and trying
one for the city heads.
During that time Col. KutZ and
: Mr.. Brownlow have had the various
public utilities before them, one after
another. for rate increases. On tor
of these problems they have directed
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