Evening star., 1926-03-27

KNOWN TO CHIEF
Law Practice Might Be Con-
tinued, President Told
kppointee.
BIZ j. RUSSELL YOUNG.

The White House has let it be
known officially that the President had
no objection to Frederick A. Fenning
his legal work, when he ap-
pointed the latter to the board Of
District Comm ssioners.
This matter was gone into thor
oughly that night nearly year ago.
In the Presidents study at the White
House, when the offer was made TO
Mr.. Fenning to appoint him to the
vacancy caused by the death Of Capt.
James f. Oyster. After comforting
with Mr.. Fenning for more than an
hour the President was satisfied that
he measured up to the standard he
was looking for in the man to fill this
important post, and when the ques-
ton OF Mr.. Fenning continuing his
law practice was discussed the Presi-
dent offered no objection.
In making this known officially at
the White House the Presidents
spokesman pointed out that President
Coolidge had no personal objection to
Mr.. Fenning continuing his private
work, and knew of no law govern.
ing the appointment of Commission
er that prevented 1t. Besides, the
President, rea a'izing that the $500 sal
ary of a Commissioner was not sufi-
cient to attract the caliber of man he
wanted, said at the time that he
wanted the appointee to make as
small a personal sacrifice as possible.
Ignores Part Of Query.
The Presidents attitude was made
known at the bi-weekly conference of
the President and the newspaper cor
respondents at the White House late
yesterday afternoon. In answer to a
question as to the Presidents attitude
toward the fight being made on Com
missioner Fenning by several mem-
bers of the House, and il he knew of
the nature of Mr.. Jennings law prac-
tice and approved his continuing 1t.
the Presidents spokesman ignore d
that part OF the question relating TO
the fight being made on Mr.. Fenning,
but frankly discussed the remainder
of the question.
The explanation was to the effect
that the President and Mr.. Fenning
had a talk at the time the Commits
sionership was offered to the latter;
that the question of Mr.. Fenning's g
law work came up. and as the Presi-
dent knew of no legal bar to a District
Commissioner engaging in private
business while serving on the board.
and not wanting the man he appoint.
ed to make too great a personal
sacrifice to engage in this public
service. he offered no objection to a
continuance OF the law work.
Spokesman Is Candid.
While the Presidents spokesman an
swered candidly, he did not go into any
great detail. He therefore omitted
stating specifically whether the exact
nature OF Mr.. Jennings law work was
divulged during their conference at
the White House. The President g
spokesman did state, however, that
the President could not at this time
definitely recall all the details. and
could not at this late date repeat the
exact conversation. However, there
was no uncertainty In the mind Of the
President about agreeing to Mr.. Fen.
ming continuing his outside work.
The President also was represented
as being informed that il has been
customary for civilian members OF the
Board OF Commissioners engaging In
private work. so long as their duties
as Commissioner were not neglected.