The Washington herald., 1921-09-23
new DC. ENGINEER
FIRM BELIEVER OF
OPEN DOOR POLICY
Col. Charles Keller In
vites Advice on Prob
lens of Office.

1
termed himself q good listener"
and declared his intention OF seek
ing the counsel of authoritative ad-
visors before acting on some Of the
perplexing civic problems which
will require his Immediate atten-
tion.
Col. Keller was appointed yester-
day by President Harding to sue
coed Col. Charles w. Kutz, who be-
gan his duties in that capacity on
October 81, 1914. Confirmation OF
the appointment by the Senate Ii
unnecessary so Col. Keller will as
sumo his new duties as soon as his
successor Is appointed. probably
early next week.
Faces Big PrsbIepsa.
Arrangement of depreciation rates
for the public utilities and con-
duct Of the building program al
ready started will be some Of the
problems which will face the new
Commissioner. who will be chair
man of the Public Utilities Commits
sion. almost as soon as he enters
upon his new task.
Depreciation rates will receive
his special attention, Col. Keller
said yesterday. when he stated that
he believed the problem offered the
Public Utilities Commission were of
vital Importance to the welfare Of
tho city.
Discussing the numerous building
and Improvement, projects either
recommended or being realized. Col.
Keller said that he was well enough
acquainted with the wishes of the
District citixens to appreciate the
need OF their fuifiilment and he
hoped to be able to cater to every
proposition which would add to the
happiness and convenience OF
washingtonians-
Open for suggestion.
IT will always be in a receptive
mood to hear suggestions and re-
quests Of the public which ! have
been assigned to serve. Their
every wish will receive my high
est regard" said the Capitals new
est ruler yesterday a few hours
after his appointment.
In addition to numerous impor-
tant engineering feats accomplished
since his graduation from the
United States Military Academy
thirty-one years ago. Col Keller
was awarded the Distinguished
Aetvice Medal and elected to the
French Legion OF Honor for his
services during the war lie di-
rected military engineering and
engineer supplies and was deputy
chief Of engineers OF the A. E. F.
Col. Keller's duties In the ONCE
Of the chief OF engineers included
supervision Of papers and reports
dealing with the District water
supply system, Improvement of the
Potomac and Anacostia rivers. an5
river fronts. memorials and Federal
projects. so that his recent assign
ment has fitted him in some de-
gree for his new duties. He re-
sides at 1884 Kalorama road
Laud Kuts's work.
Regret at the loss Of Col. Charles
Willauer Kutz as a city head was
expressed by his fellow Commits
sioners. Walter c. Allen, executive
secretary of the Public Utilities
Commission. and practically all of
the District employees. who have
been associated with him during his
unusually long term.
Col. Kutz has BEEN Engineer
Commissioner Of the District since
October 81. 1914. with. the excep-
tion Of year during the war when
he served in France, being pro-
NOTED to the rank of brigadief
general. In relieving Col. Kutz.
Secretary of War Weeks lauded
his work as "eminently satisfac-
tory" and explained that he was
now needed for other duty devolv-
Ing upon the Engineer Corps.
| T,,A
Commission, application of the
zoning law. assumption of garbage,
ash, and trash collections, and
building of Central. Eastern and
Dunbar High Schools and Gallinger
Municipal Hospital have marked
the Kutz administration. He came
into office just after the creation
Of the Public Utilities Commission
and his work as its chairman has
won enviable praise.
Oyster Praises Retiring Chief.
Commissioner James F. Oyster,
who has titled the retiring COM
missioner General" ever since his
temporary promotion during the
war. said II am certainly sorry
to see Gen. Kutx leave the ONCE
We have worked well together and
know that we will all miss the
man who has infused his person.
ality into his work and made such
q success of II. He has all of the
details Of the utilities commission
business at his finger tips but our
loss Will be the Engineer Corps
gain"
Commissioner Rudolph voiced
similar sentiments and declared
that the outgoing Commissioner
had been a fine city head.
Col. Kutx declared that he had
enjoyed his service as District
Commissioners and was confident
that Col. Keller would be a cap
able successor. Col. George Hoff-
man Of the Engineer Corps will
succeed Col. Keller, 1t was learned
last night,
Assignment OF Col. Kuts to al
new post will not be made until
Gen. Beach. chief of engineers, re-
turns from Z Colorado. next week.
Gen. Harry Taylor. acting chief
of engineers Rafd last pi-hf