Evening star., 1921-09-23
COL. KELLER FACES
DIFFICULT TASKS
Budget and Depreciation Ac.
counts Await New Engi-
neer Commissioner.

Col Charles Keller, the new Engi-
neer Commissioner, has two tedious
and difficult tasks awaiting him at
the District building.
One is to familiarize himself with
the $27.GO0.00O budget of expenses
for the District government for the
next fiscal year. The other is to take
up where Commissioner Kutz left off
IN nx1ng rules to govern the depreci-
alton accounts of the public service
corporations of the city.
Capable to Meet Tasks.
Officers who are familiar with Col
kelier's record in directing engineer
work in other places are confident,
however. that the new Commissioner
VIII measure up to his new task.
Col. Keller will be fortunate in hav
ing with him at the District building
three assistants who have been here
long enough to become thoroughly
acquainted with their respective
branches of the engineer department
They are Maj. F. S. Besson. Maj. Carey
f.. Brown and Capt. John E. Wood.
1t is practically certain that none Of
these assistants viii be transferred
from the District building at this
time.
Likely t. BE Chairmaa.
Although the public utilities act
does not specify that the Engineer
| Commissioner shall be chairman of
the utilities commission. it is likely
he will succeed Col. kutz as presiding
ofiicer over that body.
Col Keller will have to devote as
much time as possible to a study OF
the budget in order to be able to
testify when the District appropria-
ton Dill is taken up by the District
suocommittees of the Senate and
House appropriations committees
Onlcials of the engineer department
began making plans today for fare
well reception to Col. kutZ. Heads
of the various branches OF the en-
gineer department visited the Office
OIL Commissioner kEtZ today to ex-
press regret at his departure and to
wish him success in his new assign
ment.
To Take Office Next Month.
The change in the Office of Engineer
Commissioner will not take effect
until about October 5 or 6 next. Col.
Keller will be engaged for several
days in closing up the affairs of his
present detail III the office of the
| chief of engineers. and Col. Kutz, the
retiring Commissioner. has consented
to remain on duty at the District
building for several days to await
the convenience Of his successor
Meantime, the two officers will meet
frequently. so that Col Keller may
get first-hand information regarding
the more important affairs OF the Of
fee which will demand his early at
tention.
Col. Kut.'s Dutlea.
When relieved by Col. Keller. Col.
Kutz will report to Gen. Beach, chief
inf -,
his Office pending assignment to a
permanent station. There are now
two important engineering assign
ments requiring immediate attention.
One is the command of the big engi-
neering post and school at Camp
Humphreys. Va. about to be vacated
by Gen. Mason NJ Patrick. designated
to be chief of the Army air service.
The other is the large engineering
station at Cincinnati. Ohio. recently
vacated by the transfer of Col. Will
liam W. Harris. formerly in charge,
to the Army War College. this city:
these details and it is understood
that he has been tentatively chosen
for the Cincinnati assignment. Gen.
Harry TAYLOR. acting chief of engii-
permanent assignment will not be
made until Gen. Beach. who is now
| in Colorado. returns to this city in
a short time.
$50 far as possible. I shall give the
people and interests, railroads. gas,
electricity and all others, a square
. deal. The people can demand no more
nor be satisfied with less" Col. Keller
said today. He added that this would
be his general policy so far as he
could define it at this time. He said
he appreciated the compliment of his
selection by the President and would