The Washington times., 1924-03-11
COOLIDGE.
|SG|VEN
REPLY
Extensive Explanation 10 Ten
dered to President by
Commissioners.

District Commissioners Cuno n.
Rudolph and James F, Oyster
today rendered to President Cool
idge an extensive explanation Of
charges made against them, re-
garding their conduct on the Zon-
ing and Public Utilities commits
sions, by a group Of local civic
organizations.
ReappOintments Protested.
The allegations were in the form
Of a protest against the renom-
nation Of the two Commissioners
for appointment to second terms Of
office. March il. It was charged
that the Commissioners had not
served the best interests Of the
public in their determinations on
public utilities, coming and other
matters.
It was pointed out In the ex-
PLANTATION that Commissioners Ru-
dolph and Oyster were minority
members Of q coming commission
Of five, and, therefore, could not
be held responsible for the deci-
sions Of that body.
In regard to the Public Utilities
Commission, 1t was stated, the
Commissioners had exerted their
powers to bring about reductions
in the rates Of every local public
utility. ~5t
The contents Of the statement
given by the Commissioners tended
to show their interest in the vel
fare Of the community in all mat
ters which the protesting dele9a-
tons laid before the President at
the White House yesterday.
President Delays Action.
It was said at the White House
today that the President viii give
full and equal consideration to the
protests and to the explanations,
and will defer sending any nomina-
tons to the Senate until he IL
satisfied that the District will be
pleased with his choice.
Confident that their records are
testimonials Of their ability, fair
mindedness and integrity. the Com
missioners declared that inveStiga-
ton Of the charges would prove
them to be without foundation.
"Our stand has always been Tor
the best interests Of the people"
Commissioner Oyster declared to-
day, land I am more than willing
to stand with my colleague ON our
three-year record"
Rudolph Belittles Charges.
Commissioner Rudolph takes q
like stand. He says he does not
consider the charges grave because
records of the District government
disprove them. He says he IL
ready to answer them whenever
President Coolidge calls upon him
| to do 90.
In the meantime, the terms of
the commissioners are nearing en-
piration. The three-year terms Of
Rudolph and Oyster expire Friday.
President Coolidge IL expected to
make an announcement tomorrow
or Friday.
Friends Of Commissioners Rudolph
and Oyster rallied to their defense
today.
II President Coolidge decides to
nominate them, considerable opposi.
ton to their appointment IL ex.
pected IN the Senate.
The various organisations which
protested to President Coolidge yes,
terday will undoubtedly carry their
complaints to the Senate and seek
to prevent confirmation Of the ap.
pointments.
e. c. Graham, Of the Republican
committee for the District, who
Endorsed Rudolph and Oyster for
denomination, conferred with 6ecre.
tary Slemp shortly after noon today.
Graham said that the charges
against Rudolph and Oyster should
be clarified. He stated that Engi
neer Commissioner ]. Franklin Bell
was the logical person against whom
coming commission complaints should
be made. Other allegations he
stated, should rightly have been
made against other officials.