Evening star., 1921-10-06
KELLER PLEDGES
TQSERVE DISTRICT
CONSC|ENT|0USLY
New Engineer Commissioner
Given Oath of Office at
Ceremony.
|COl.KUTZ PRAISED HIGHLY
ON HIS YEARS OF SERVICE
Board Room at District Building
Crowded at Official Induc-
ton Services.

A pledge to do all in his power to
promote the best interests of the Ma
tional Capital was made to the people
of Washington by Col. Charles Keller,
the new Engineer Commissioner. when
he took the oath of Office at the Dis
trict building today.
Col. Keller also took the oath of
the Public Utilities Commission. and
at meeting tomorrow morning prob
ably will be elected chairman of that
body.
Washington" said Col. Keller. "is
not only the most beautiful but the
best governed city in the country. 1t
is only fitting that this should be true
of the National Capital. l think the
explanation of this lies in the charac-
ter of your government and from
the fact that since the beginning of
your present form of government the
commission has been made up of able
men.
Il realize that the character of the
city and it's well being is due largely
to you ladies and gentlemen, who
have helped make the city what it
is. and l am sure you will continue
to strive to make it better and more
beautiful
Col. Keller Expresses Thanks.
Col. Keller expressed his thanks to
Gen. Lansing Beach, chief of en-
gineers; the Secretary of War. and
the President for having honored him
with the appointment as District
Commissioner and added:
Il trust that nothing 1 do while in
Office will serve to make them regret
having appointed me. ] intend to CO.
operate with the civilian commits
cfn II I, <Ix;,
thing possible to promote the well
being of all the people Of the Dis
trict."
Speaking to the several hundred
District officials who filled the board
room. Col. Keller continued:
Il invite all of You to come to me
at any time with the work of your
respective departments. While I know
the city of Washington. 1 know too
little OF the detail work of Englnec :
Commissioner. -.
Washington behind Him. *
In. opening She ceremonies G ~
sioner Rudolph told Col. Keller Wash
ington is behind him to man. The
Fchairn,an Of the board of Commits
SfoneFs said:
'We are gathered this morning to
witness the induction into office of
our new Engineer Commissioner. Col
Charles Keller. who will. on sub
scribing to the oath of Office, relieve
our friend and associate, Col. KutZ.
Our regrets in parting with Col
kutZ are mitigated by the knowledge
that he goes from us to a new detail,
where he will be in control of one of
the most important districts under
the jurisdiction of the Engineer Corps
of the Army-an assignment which
comes as a recognition of his unusual
ability and emphasizes the excellent
judgment of his chief. who has him.
self been in charge of the central dis
trict and knows from personal ex-
pcrience the high character of serv-
ice required to properly fill the posi-
tion. The appointment is an honor
well merited by Col. Kutz.
1--WE congratulate those of the CEN
trail district who will become the
beneficiaries of an efficient and pro-
gressive administration by him. and
the people of Cincinnati as WELL who
are gaining an estimsble and diStin-
guiShed citizen.
Gen. Beach knows also the needs
of the District of Columbia. because
he filled most acceptably for a num-
ber of years the position of Engi-
neer Commissioner. leaving behind
him a record for achievements sur
passed by none. He has always man.
ifested a deep interest in everything
making for the advancement of the
National Capital and in the welfare
or our people, ana We can therefore
rest assured that in designating Col
Keller he is sending US a man who
will measure up in every way to the
full requirements of the Office. Col.
Keller is not a stranger to US. He
is known to Washington and he
knows Washington, and Washington
is back of him to a man. We well
come you. sir. most heartily, to the
District service"
Commissioners Oyster paid brief
tribute to Col. KutZ and welcomed
Col. Keller as a member of the COM
mission.
The oath of District Commissioner
was administered by Daniel f..
Garges. secretary to the board of Com
missioners. while Morgan H. Beach,
clerk of the District Supreme Court,
administered the oath of Public
Utilities Commissioner.
Following the ceremonies a recep-
ton line was formed to permit the Of
ficials and employees of the city to bid
goodbye to Col. kutZ and to welcome
his successor, Gen. Beach, chief of
engineers. attended the exercises
Col. Keller. accompanied by Col.
Kutz. his predecessor, called on Presi-
dent Harding at the White House
this afternoon and extended his good
wishes. Col. KutZ, who made the in
PRODUCTION, took this opportunity to
say goodbye to the President and to
his p1aa S,ro a Saryinsr npder