Evening star., 1921-03-14
SENATE CONFIRMS
! D, c, HEADS AFTER
! COMMITTEE ACTS
Report Favoring Oyster and
! Rudolph as Commission
ers Is Unanimous.
OPPONENTS HAVE CHANCE
TO PRESENT OBJECTIONS
Nominees Make Sworn Statements
1, They Do Not Own Stock In
*; Public Utilities.

T. AnSy ~S
f Public Utilities
The nominations of Cuno Rudoipn
and Capt. James +. Oyster to be DIS
trict Commissioners were connrmeo
by the Senate today.
This action was taken following
favorable report upon both the nomi-
nees by the Senate District committee.
The committee acted unanimously IN
recommending their confirmation
after a hearing at which both op-
ponents and supporters of the nomi-
nees were given an opportunity u
testify.
When the nominations were re-
ported to the Senate they were ap-
proved practically without debate and
without a roll call.
During the hearing preliminary to
the committees report, Edward r,
Colladay, republican national COM
mitteeman for the District. presented
sworn statements from both Mr- Ru-
,dolph and Capt. Oyster stating that
neither owned stock in any public
utilities.
w. b. westlake for Delay.
W. B. westlake. president of the
Federation of Citizens Associations.
was the first witness appearing IN op-
position to the immediate confirmation
of Capt. Oyster and Mr.. Rudolph. AT
1.-THE outset he said that he appeared as
Ia private citizen and not as president
lof the federation. He said. however.
THAT several citizens had asked him to
iappear.
This committee should get the SEN
timent of the people of the District
and not the sentiment of few inf1u-
entail members of various civic or
ganizations." said Mr.. Westlake. Il
am not opposing these men, but there
are persons who oppose their confirma-
tic. E-hhc should be heard. The COM
mittee should take due time int dealing
with this matter of SO much impor-
tance."
Mr.. westlake said that "the people"
in the District were restless, that red
meetings" were being held. and that
too hasty action would tend to increase
this restlessneSs.
Senator Pomerene OF Ohio interrupt
ed with several questions about red
pfopAganda in the District and how
it affected the question of the con-
frmation of Mr.. Rudolph and Capt.
Mr.. westlake insisted that there was
a feeling among some people in the
District that they were not giken due
consideration. and that Ii was making
for restlessness. He added that from
ment pay roll in the District are
spreading red propaganda, because
they believe the people here. who have
no vote. are not getting a square deal.
ment are spreading red propaganda.
they should have their official heads
chopped on said Senator Pomerene.
Il agree with that" said Mr.. West
lake.
Relations With Railways.
Mr.. Westlake said that 1t mad been
rumored quietly that the nominees for
relations with the street railways. and
he urged that the matter be looked
into. Any one who had relations with
the street railway, he said. should not
be permitted to serve as a member of
the Public Utilities Commission.
senator Bali Of Delaware said that
amy one who was financially interested
in the street railways, under the law.
would not be eligible to serve as a
public utility commissioner.
financially interested in the street
'railways?' Senator Pomerene asked
the witness.
Personally. l do not replied Mr..
westlake. but 1t is reported that
they are. and j think the matter
mittee.'
The next witness was r.. w. Oy-
ster. who saId that he had been
resident of the District for twenty
years although he is a voter in Penn
sylvania. His objection was devoted
largely to the confirmation of Mr..
Rudolph. He told the committee that
he had been much interested in the
'slum conditions in Washington. and
,ths question of assessments of the
poor people. On February rs. 1910.
he said, he wrote a letter to the board
of Commissioners. of which Mr.. Ru-
idolph was a member, asking for a.
thearing. He said that he was put of
from week to week. although he was
promised a hearing. and that finally.
on May II, he received a letter ask
ing him to submit in writing what
he had to say. and asserting that the
Commissioners were very familiar
with the question.
You come here" said Senator Dill
1ingham, because you did not get a
hearing: and because you did not like
Mr.. Rudolph.
Mr.. Oyster said that he considered
Mr.. Rudolph ''vacillating man" and
added that he did not want to see him
Commissioner.
Statement Was Not sent.
did you submit your statement in
Criting?" asked Senator New
40. ! didn't want to waste my
. would be pigeon -holed
Arr you related to Capt. oyster?"
Il have been asked that question
enany times" replied the witness.
= when any ono asks me. 1 refer him
b Capt Oyster, and when any one
hsks Capt Oyster. he refers them 10
&ne- / do not care whether / am a
khird cousin or q thirty-third cousin
suppose that all Of the Oysters are
kbaated"
Senator King wanted to know II the
hlum situation and the assessments
BAD been met by the Commissioners.
The witness said not entirely to his
satisfaction.
Senator Dillingham; said that he re-
called making An investigation OF the
Alums as a member of the District
committee and that legislation had
been required TO meet the situation
Did the Commissioners oppose
what you and / were working for in
that connection" asked Senator Dill
bingham.
Mr.. Oyster said they did not
a. d. Fairbairn urged the commit
zee to delay action until IL could
make a further investigation of the
charge that the nominees for Com
missioner were interested in the street
railways He said that the various
associations in the District had had no
time to get together, and, while va
S4ous representatives of civic orrani-
l. III