Evening star., 1924-03-18
D. c. APPOINTMENTS
WAIT UPON REPORT
Commissioners Tell Presi-
dents Representative Facts
Under Question.

President Coolidge will not make
up his mind regarding the appoint
ment of two civilian Commissioners
for the District of Columbia until
he has been furnished with report
from Rush l. Holland, assistant at
torney general, who has been per-
sonally making an inquiry into the
administrations of Cuno H. Rudolph
and James F. Oyster. who are being
considered for reappointment.
1t will be a day or SO before
Mr.. Holland concludes this friendly
inquiry" as dercribed by the White
dent and give his opinions regard
ing the charges made against the
two Commissioners by citizens Of the
city, which eleventh-hour opposition
was responr ible for blocking the re-
appointment
In making this explanation at the
White House today one of the officials
laid much emphasis upon the fact that
the Department of Justice is not making
an investigation into the activities of
the two civilian Commissioners nor of
the affairs of the District government.
Judge Holland was selected by the Presi-
dent to personally handle the matter
for him. He is to listen to the exp:ana-
tions made by the two Commissioners
of their acts as members of the zonlng
commission and the Public Utilities
Commission, and other acts as members
of the board of Commissioners which
have been complained about by some of
the citizens opposing their reappoint-
ment
Not Probing for Scandal
The White House in discussing this
matter is especially anxious to make
it clear to every one that the inquiry
being conducted by Judge ROLAND is
not with the view to unearthing a
scandal or that the two present
civilian Commissioners are suspected
of dishonesty or corruption
1t was explained that the President
has been anxious that Commission
ers Rudolph and Oyster be given
every opportunity to answer and ex-
plain their acts and decisions during
their three years in office that have
been mentioned in the protests
against their reappointment. Realiz-
ing his inability to give the two Com
missioners a proper hearing because
of lack of time. the President turned
the whole matter over to Assistant
Attorney General Holland.
In the meantime the President has
given no intimation Of his final ac-
ton in this matter. In commenting
upon this today one of the Presi-
dents assistants stated that he is
confident that President Coolidge
has given to no one any Indication
that he has already made up his
mind. Nor has he indicated to any
one any preference of choice of the
various names presented to him dur
ing the past week to consider in con-
nection with making these two ap-
pointments.
Impre~sed by Endorsement.
The President is known still to be
deeply impressed with the indorse-
ment of the two civilian Commission
ers by such a large number of trade,
civic and political organizations. all
of which will go a long way in in
fluencing him when he receives
Judge Hollands report and he is
ready to reach a decision.
1t was said also at the White
House today that no new names have
been received at the White House
since yesterday. when those of Mai.
Gems. lansing Beach. chief of engi-
neers; William M. Wright, chief of
supplies of the Army. and George
Barnett, former commandant of ma
rines, were proposed.
When asked today regarding the
inquiry made by Mr.. Holland for the
President, Commissioners Rudolph
and Oyster said they thought it would
be improper for them to make any
comment. They admitted, though,
Holland and answered frankly many
questions and, explained to him why
they did certain things that have
been complained about.