Evening star., 1921-09-22
Appointee Is Serv-
ing as Assistant
to Gen. Beach.
KUTZ is RELIEVED
AFTER SIX YEARS
Took Part in War
With the Rank of
Brigadier General.

today was appointed by. President
Harding Engineer Commissioner OF
the District of Columbia,
Under the law that ONCE is filled by
detail from the Corps Of Engineers
and the appointment is not subject to
confirmation by the Senate, as is the
case with the two civilian Commits
sioners. Col. Keller will relieve Col
Charles Kutz. who did notable serv-
ice during the war and who has rend-
cred great service to tbs District
Commissioners. October 81, 1914.
Soon after the United States entered
the war against Germany in the
spring of 1917, Col. Kutz applied for
and was assigned to duty with troops
in the field. He went to France In the
fall and rendered valuable service IN
the construction of roads and bridges
and in the organization and command
OF troops. He was appointed orlg-
adler general in the National Army IN
June, 1918, and held that rank until
the Army was demobluzed. ne re-
sioner in December, 1913, ana mas
served continuously since
Usual Term Feur Years.
As. explained by Secretary Weeks
the usual term OF an Engineer Com
missioner is -FOUR years. and Col. Kutz
has already exceeded that term by
two years, not including his war serv-
ice. Gen. Beach recently reported the
matter to the Secretary of War. He
said that Col. Kntx's work had been
very creditable." He added that as
his services, were now desired for
other duty. devolving On the Corps of
Epo;noorG his reIief at the present
time becomes necessary"
Secretary Weeks today in announc-
ing the appointment OF Col. helier
refcrred to him as "a well known OF.
ffcer OF the Corps OF EnElnssrs. e
ments." Referring TO sCgk Kutz's six.
years service with the District gov
ernment, the Secretary said "his work
during that time has been emtnentiy
satisfactory. but he NOW desired
for other duty devolxing upon the
He had not been Informed what
that "other duty was, he said. but
the matter probably would he settled
in few days by Gen. Beach.
Orders In Eject at Once.
According to War Department OFF,
cjals, the orders take effect at once.
the ACTUAL transfer being made at
the convenience of the two officers.
lonf time and I, am sure he will
mxke good Engineer Commissioners
for the District said Col. Kutz when
informed of the War Departments
announcement. Col Keller Is ad-
Discussing his own departure from
the District service, Col. Kutz said: !:
while it is true that my period
Of service here has been busy one,
! have enjoyed it,"
Mr.. Oysters Statement.
Commissioner Oyster. when he was
told of Col Kellers appointment today.
made the following statement:
the District service, because during my
brief association with him on the board
I have seen how thorough and capable
he has done his work at the District
building"
Ably Qualifed for Post.
Col. Keller is regarded as one Of
the ablest members of the Corps Of
Engineers. He was selected for the
District Office by Maj. Gen. Lansing
n. Beach. chief of engineers, as the
best qualified man for the administra-
tion Of its manifold and delicate du-
ties In the entire list of available
officers. Gen. Beach formerly held the
WAS approved first by Secretary
Weeks and finally by President Hard
ing. by whom the appointment was
made.
In addition to the various important
engineering achievements to his
credit, Col Keller was awarded dis
tinguished service medal for his serv-
ices during the world war: While on
duty In the office OF the chief of en-
eineers in this city he was appointed
Army February 26, 1918. and went to
France early in the following October.
For a short period he served as dtrec-
tor of military engineering and en-
Kfneer supplies and was deputy CHIEF
q engineers Of the american exped- ea
until June. 1919, when he returned to
the United States and was assigned to
duty in the office OF the chief of en-
etneers, War Department. In afdi-
tion to the distinguished service
medal he was honored by election to
membership In the French Legion Of
Honor.
Awarded Distinguished Medal
The distinguished service medal
was awarded him ''for exceptionally
nieritorious and distinguished, serv-
ices," narrated in the citation as fol-
lows:
"For exceptionally meritorious and
distinguished service. AS assistant
Army. he was instrumental In initiat-
inK policies which protected the
channels and anchorages Of our Inn
nortant harbors from obstruction by
enemy aliens. AS power admin
fatrator on behalf Of the United States
ha organised the power section Of
the war Industries board and initiated
measures as q result Of which the
war program Of the country was sue
cessfully protected against serious
delay due to power shortage"
Born in New York. February IA,
1883, Col. Keller was graduated from
the Military Academy near the head
of his class in June, 1890, and assigned
to the Corps Of Engineers. Since then
he has been engaged In river and har-
Dor work and general engineering
duties in the United States and the
Philippines up to the time the United
States entered the war against Ger
many and her allies. At various times
he had charge Of engineering projects
In Alabama. northwestern Florida,
Charleston. 8. c.: Port Royal. 8. c.:
Rock Island. ILL.,: Portland. Me-; st.
Louis, No.; Grand Rapids. Mich: !:
Mfndanao and Zamboansos in the
Philippines; Detroit, Mich, and Mobile,
Ala: which laat.named city was his
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