Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-20
Position Highly Important.
Took once June 5, 1925.

( Z =,
The resignation OF Mr.. Fenning
brings to q close the stOrmiest admin
istration. perhaps. Of any District
Commissioner. In office little more
than IS months, he has been O. target
OF almost continuous criticism.
Chief Justice Walter /. Mccoy OF
the District Supreme Court admins
tered the oath OF Office to Mr.. Fenning
June 5, 1925, and his advent into Office
was marked with rejoicing by promi-
nent individuals and organizations In
Washington, largely because he was q
native son" and had manifested con-
siderable interest In local affairs dur
ing his lifelong residence in the Cap
ital. His attitude toward the District
at the time Of his appointment was
described In these words:
MY hope for Washington Is that It
viii always be a city Of which all the
people of the country will be proud.
When citizens visit their Capital City
it Is my hone that they will find clean.
well kept streets, safe to pedestrians
and to vehicles; parks in which the
beauties Of nature can be enjoyed, q
police force courteous and helpful and
every attention given to the preser-
walton OF the public health and pro
lection Of property"
Headley Case Brought Row.
Al short time after he took ONCE,
however, the storm of criticism broke
when he recommended the removal
of Inspector Albert j. Headley, chief
Of the traffic bureau, and the promo
ton to this post OF Capt. e. w. Brown
OF the first police precinct. Except
for the statement that the recommen-
dalton, which was approved by the
Board Of Commissioners. was In the
interest Of good police administration,
officials at the District Building were
silent as to the reason for the change.
subsequently Mr.. Fenning revealed
before CONGRESSIONAL investigating
committees that Inspector Headley
was "rlot the man for the detail" and
that Traffic Director M. O. Eldridge
had complained that there was lack
OF cooperation between the two of
fees.
Mr.. Fenning then left the city for
e. vacation in Maine, and when ne re-
turned the Headley incident had be-
come more or less dormant. As he
was appointed TO succeed Capt James
r. Oyster, deceased, and his -selec-
ton made during the congressional
recess, Mr.. fleming had to be con-
,firmed by the Senate. When Congress
met in December he was confirmed.
While serving as Commissioners Mr..
fleming also continued his legal
duties, for which he maintained an
office in the Evans Building. His law
practice consisted almost entirely 81
acting az committee or guardian Tor
the persons and estates Of mental IN
competent individuals. of whom more
-. :. tVH0FlG
war. The total number OF wards
ne possessed in his closing days 81
Commissioner was upward Of 12O.
Congress Took UP Case.
Although appointed by the District
Supreme Court to act IN this hduciary
capacity, and although he was grant
ed compensation from the incomes 81
the wards estates BY that tribunal!
this practice became the subject Of
brought condemnation from the
majority report of the House judiciary
COMMITTEES, which irlvestig ated i'm
|peachnent charges brought against
him BY Representative Blanton Dem
ocrat, Texas. III this tnvestig ation be
was exonerated of any legal guilt, a.
though the COMMITTEES ernpha sized the
finding OF Justice Frederick III Sid
dons of the District Supreme Court
that d seIf-bOnding practice was com
trary to law. III this practice Mr.,
fleming ~ agent for q bonding com
pany received rs per cent Of the
prendIums paid for his bond by the
wards estates. Since the opinion 81
Justice SiddOns Mr. Fsnning has
taken steps to refund to the wards