Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-11

Miss Mabel r Boardman. Red Cross
known women in America. is to sue
coed .Commissioner: Louis Brownlow.
whoss resignstioii becomes elective
next Wednesday.
The offer Of f-thfs high office to Miss
Boardman has been made by President
W7lson. Word has been received in
Washington that Miss Boardman has
aecepted and will be in readiness
u take up her new official duties i'm
mediately upon Mr.. Brownlow.s de-
p2rture.
It also is understood that Presi-
dent Wilson will not delay much
longer the appointment of a Commits
sioner to fill the vacancy caused by
the resignation of Commissioner
Gardner last fall.
Ftr.t.Woman Commissioner.
tbs Hkvs that Miss Boardman had
csiyed With much interest, Aside from
thel lfect that 1t Is the first time In
the history of the local government
that a. woman has been chosen as
one f n.s nnasipa Eassdmaa aeaas @ss at At no io
time q candidate for the place. There
was added interest to the appoint
ment because of the fact Miss Board
man always has been known. to be
q republican.
However, comment today regarding
the appointment was c0n6aed prin.
cipalIy to the big surprise rather
than any personal features incident
to it. Expressions were to the effect
that, in the selection of a woman as
Commissioner. the President could
not have made wiser choice. and
career of ;mayked achievements To-
cally,, nationally and internationally.
the District of Columbia possibly
shoulAf feel most fortunate in having
her as one of its governing heads.
WON Decorations In Europe.
Miss Buardman. aside from her ac-
4ivities in Red Cross organization
and management. has been interested
IN social and civic service betterment.
In the various activities in which she
fdsntified herself. the appointee al
ways took more than an ordinary in
terest and generally displayed a
leadership of marked ability. Be-
cause of her past achievements, dem
onstrated ability as an organizer and
her long residence in Washington,
little doubt is expressed that the Sem
ate will confirm Miss Boardman' S
nomination when it next convenes.
Miss Boardman's fame and the
scenes of her activities are by no
means confined to this country. She
is known throughout Europe. where
She personally directed relief work
for the Red Cross during and after
the war As tribute to her untir-
ing efforts in the interest of hu-
manity she has been decorated by
more than one foreign nation.
Miss Boardman was born in Cleve-
land, Ohio. and moved to Washingtn
in 1895 with her parents. who were
the late William H. Boardman and
EolI De- hn
handsome residence at 1901 P street
was built by Mr.. Boardman and is at
present the home of Miss Boardman.
The family has been prominent So
cialIy in both Cleveland and Wash
ington. and the P street home has
been the scene of many, brilliant
social affairs.
Per.uaded by Taft.
1t was at this house that President
Taft stayed on the eve of his in.
auguration as President. and he and
members. of his family frequently
visited them during his administra-
ton. Miss Boardman's close friend
ship with the Taft family began
when Mr.. Taft was appointed Secre-
tary of War. She accompanied the
Taft party on it's trip to the orient
and she has since explained that it
was DURING tHeiI tFdSeis through
Japan that she first realized what
systematic effort and genuine or
gAnizationsfn Red Cross work would
accomplish. shortly after her return
to this country she devised the plan
of the Red Cross Christmas stamp
which proved so successful and has
since been continued each Yuletide
season.
In the reorganization of the Red
Cross Miss Boardman was made na-
tipnal secretary, and she devoted
most of her time working in the in
terest of the organization. especially
in the establishment of new ideas for its
betterment.
One of Miss Boardman's sisters mar
Washington the greater part of her
time. Another sister married former
1Conunued on Page 2. Column s.