Evening star., 1925-05-19
JAMESE. OYSTER
DEAD AFTER LONG
SERVICE FOR CITY
Commissioner Was Identified
With Development of Ma
tionaI Capital so Years.
HEALTH BEGAN TO FAIL
AFTER DEATH OF WIFE
Highly Praised by Associates.
Rites Will Be Held Thursday
at Calvary Baptist.

Having given his best to the city
he loved and for which he labored
many years, Commissioner James r.
Oyster passed away early this morn
ing at his apartment, 240O Sixteenth
street, at the age of "a
All Washington today Is mourning
the loss of a stalwart citizen and an
able public official, for Commissioner
Oyster numbered among his friends
those in the humble walks of life as
well as Government officials and lead
ers in the commercial life Of the
Capital.
Although he had been one of Wash
fngton's three governing heads for the
past four years. his untiring activity
Tor the upbuilding and betterment of
the Nations Capital dated back many
years, to the time when, as a leader
In local trade and civic organizations,
he helped bring about the Washing
ton of today.
Failing for Year.
Displaying that same courage which
marked his long career, Commissioner
oyster fought bravely against the i'll
ness which finally overlook him. His
health began to fail following the
death of Mrs. Oyster in January, 1924
but he went on for nearly q wear
working necessarily for his comnou.
nifty as a member of the Board of
Commissioners
About five months ago his strength
began to ebb, but his renaarkable
spirit kept up, and he continued to
transact the business Of the depart
ments under his guidance until a few
days ago.
The end came at 1915 o'clock this
morning, with the Commissioners
daughter, Miss Helene Oyster; his
son, Norman Oyster, and a business
side.
Commissioners Rudolph and Bell
met in special board session at $50
O'Clock this morning and, after pass
ing resolutions of regret over the
loss of their associate, adjourned out
or respect for his memory.
Flags at Half STAFF.
Commissioner Rudolph announced
that nags on all District institutions
will be at half STAFF for 80 days.
Announcement also was made that
during the funeral services work at
the District Building will be suspended
as further mark OF respect.
Funeral services will be conducted
at O'Clock Thursday afternoon at
Calvary Baptist Church, Eighth and
H streets, and burial viii be at Oak
Hill Cemetery.
While the services will be sinple
in compliance of the wishes of the
Commissioner, it was deemed fitting
that the uniformed members of the
Police and Fire Departments should
pay official tribute of respect to their
deceased superior.
Guard of Honor Designated.
Commissioner Rudolph announced
that a detachment of eight mounted
police will escort the cortege. After the
church service so members of the
Police Department and the same
number from the Fire Department
will form guard of honor. A
captain, lieutenant, sergeant and pri-
vate from the Police Department and
similar group of officers of the
Fire Department will be. active pail
bearers. Honorary pallbearers will
be announced later.
The officiating clergymen will be
Rev. A. Freeman Anderson and Rev
w. s. Abernethy. DR.. Anderson was
personal friend of Commissioner
Oyster and is coming from East Or
ange, n. j., for the funeral service.
DR.. Abernethy is pastor of the Cal
vary Baptist Church.
While Commissioner Oyster had al
ways been an active worker in any
undertaking for the improvement of
his city, his true devotion to Wash
fngton was apparent to those who
came in contact with him during his
four years as a Commissioner.
Veteran employees of the city gov
ernment say that seldom has a Com
missioner taken a deeper interest in
the affairs of the department intrust-
ed to him.
1t became his duty following ap-
pointment in March, 1921, to super
wise the police, fire, health and play
grounds departments and the office of
weights and measures. And while
ever alert to see that all of his agen-
cies gave the public the best service
the activities of those two important
agencies-the Police and Fire Depart
mentS.
Backed Up Departments.
He held conferences daily with the
heads of Police and Fire Departments,
and when he thought they were right
| in anything they undertook to do
| backed them to the limit.
Commissioner Oyster seldom refused
an interview to the thousands who
came to him during his four years in
office, to lay before him problems re.
lating to his departments.
The Commissioner never took an
extended vacation during his entire
term, conf1ning his periods of relaxa-
ton to short outings of one or two
| days at a time.
In addition to the constant atten-
ton he gave to the everyday problems
of his departments, Capt. Oyster, as
he was more familiarly known, was
vigorous in his advocacy Of many
pieces of legislation needed for the
growth and welfare of the city.
Favored Fiscal Equality.
| He firmly believed in the half-and-
! half plan, under which the Federal
Government bore an equal share OF
the expense of Capital maintenance
for so many years. A few years ago
Congress changed the ratio to 60.40,
and more recently the lawmakers tenn
porarily departed entirely from the
fixed percentage basis and appro-
priated a lump-sum of 100000 as
| Uncle Sans part of District main
tenance. Commissioner Oyster was
opposed to this departure from a long
standing fiscal policy between the Fed
eral and District governments, and
! frequently reiterated his support of
the fixed-ratio basis.
| The Commissioner WAS one of those