Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-11
CITY COMMISSION
TO HAVE new FACES
Rudolph and Fenning Places
Expected to Be Filled
Next Fall.

Reorganization OF the Board OF Dis
trict Commissioners with an entire
new civilian personnel now seems GER
tain before snow flies as a result OF
recent developments.
President Coolidge's apparently posi-
tive assurance that Frederick A. Fen
ming will retire to private life, despite
his present attitude, coupled with the
announcement yesterday by CuTio II.
Rudolph that he. too, plans to resign.
although yet indefinite as to the time.
will bring into the District Building
two new civilian Commissioners. Lieut..
Col. J.. Franklin Bell, the Engineer
Commissioner, however. seems salts
fed to serve the remainder Of his
three.year detail which comes to a
close next June.
In the face of persistent reports
from the Summer White House at
White Pine Camp, N Y, that the
President Is confident that Mr., Fen.
ming will step out. the Commissioner
maintains his strict reticence in regard
to this matter. Questions as to the re
ports merely draw from him his char.
acteristically laconic reply: II have
nothing to say"
Fenning Busy in Office.
Ever since the President let it be
known that he expected Mr.. Fenning
to resign, the Commissioner has been
attentively engaged in his duties at
the District Building, giving no hint
by word or action that he intends to
decamp. Runors have been current
that the event would take place when
Commissioners Rudolph has had a va
cation. But Mr.. Rudolph, according
to reliable information, has abandoned
all ideas Of protracted trip away
from Washington during the Summer
because of the unsettled state OF
affairs.
In announcing. his plans yesterday
relative to eventual retirement to pri-
vate life, Mr.. Rudolph emphasized
that he would not take such a step
right away" unless, of course, the
President should ask for his resigna-
ton. According to those who enjoy
his confidence, his resignation, most
certainly may not be written until
FAN. and perhaps not then. Some Of
his friends are insisting that he COM
plete his term in Office which expires
April Is.
1T is a matter Of common knowl.
edge around the District Building that
Commissioners Rudolph did not intend
to serve more than year Of his pres
ent term, but the course Of unforeseen
events has kept him in Office. Before
the close Of the first year, the health
OF his colleague, the late Capt. James
r. Oyster. began to fail, thus throw
ing upon him additional duties and re-
sponsibilities which he conscientiously
49, shit Cd -
appointee. Capt Oyster died, and
then Mr.. Rudolph did not think 1t
would be proper to quit before first
familiarizing his successor, Mr.. Fen
ming, with the state of affairs in the
District government.
Last Month Set for Move.
Mr.. Rudolph then tentatively set the
time Of his retirement to private life
for last month-the date OF his silver
wedding anniversary. It was to have
been In the manner of q gift to Mrs.
Rudolph, who has endeavored to per-
suade him to resign In order to fulfill
a long cherished desire to travel
expected development came--the SEN
sational Fenning case-and these
plans were torn asunder. And now
Mr.. Rudolph apparently has deter
mined to stick to his post against the
wishes of his wife, until finis has been
written on this affair.
As to the contemplated trip around
the globe, Mrs. Rudolph revealed yes
terday afternoon that It probably
could not be arranged before next
Spring, even II the Commissioner does
retire to Private life in the Fall.
II am very keen about going" she
said, shut ] have not yet made any
definite plans. hope, though, that
1t can be made early next year" J"
Mrs. Rudolph agreed with her hus-
band that the reports from the Sum-
mer White House that the Commits
sioner's physical condition formed the
basis for the rum0rs Of his proposed
resignation are entirely without found
alton.
II have never seen him more
schippy," she declared.