Evening star., 1926-10-20

continued from First Pagel
private life has been fairly well
known in Washington. He had fire.
Guently expressed himself upon the
subject to his friends and callers at
The District Building. But those who
have known this. hut who have Won
siered why he has so long postponed
his decision, are answered 10y this
frank explanation. Even late in the
Summer. when Proctor J. Dougherty
had been appointed to succeed Com
missioner Fenning and things in gen
pral We're quicting down to normal.
commissioner Rudolph declined to
respond to his inclinationS or to ac-
ceed to the urging of his intimate
friends TO then retire. His reason at
that late period for holding on. as eX-
lIlained by him. was he did not like
10 desert at u time when the eSti-
mates of appropriations for the Dis
trict for the next fiscal year were in
the course of preparation. lie could
not bring himself to leave at time
when his experience and knowledge OF
such an important matter was needed.
His leaving in the face of this inn
purtant task would have meant that
The entire work would have fallen
upon Col. Franklin Bell the Engineer
commissioner. inaSmuch as Commits
with this subject.
Reluctant TO Quit.
With the completion of this exact
ing work, commissioner Rudolph felt
that he affairs of the District govern
1nent were in such Il shape as to per
unit him to step ont gracefully.
Naturally enough when the time
came for him to make definite deCi-
n ~, 1,1 al,
tance that he finally reached one. The
wears he has put in at the District
Building, while they have meant hard
work and long hours. were really
very happy ones. the commissioner
confessed. and he feels very sure that
ne will feel lost and lonely for some
time after entering upon a life of re-
'irement. Aside from the knowledge
that his administration has been
marked with many accomplishments.
and that he has been taking a leading
part in the developments of the Ma
tional Capital, he has made many
more friends among those citizens
who have had business with him and
among those who are directly aSSo
"iated With the local government.
Commissioner Rudolph's present
term would not have expired until
April Is next. He was first appointed
TO the board hy President Taft That
was back in 1910. Gen. John \. John
son. retired. was the other civilian
Commissioner At the time. He was re-
appointed to a second term by Presi
dent Taft January IL. l'l3. but the
Senate had not confirmed the nOmna-
tiOn when Woodrow Wilson became
President on March !. The latter ap
pointed Oliver Newman Il local news
paper correspondent. IL succeed Nh
Rudolph.
President Harding. in March. 1921.
appointed Mr.. Rudolph to the board.
and when the latter'S term expired in
April. 1929. he and the late Capt.
James r. oyster. who was then his
civilian colleague on the board. We're
reappoiuted by President Coolidge
Commissioner Rudolph indicated
after seeing the President that he
would remain in office at the. latter's
convenience. but he intimated that he
believed the President would find it
convenient To accept his resignation
formally and 70 let him retire within
a few weeks.
Upon asked what he VII do when
lie retires. Commissioner Rudolph said
~ the White House todav For
awhile m going to play and travel.
Dn August - last. | celebrated the
nfty-tirSt anniversary of my business
and professional career: SO | feel
am entitled 10 good respite. The
story published in one paper some
time aco that ! would take M the
management Of Rudolph & West Co,
Is erroneous. | severed my Connec-
ZION with this corporation l. years
ago and have not since that time even
exercised Stockholders privilege
ly- voting in any OF its meetings. Al
most Immediately after rumorS of
my prospective retirement were pub
Nshed, I received several fiattering
offers 10 join business and banking
concerns. all OF which | felt con
strain to decline for the time being.
I shall miss the genial cOmpanionship
uf Col. Bell and commissioner Dough
t.rtv-two outstanding figures in the
GALAXY of fine officials who have occu-
pied the responsible positions of Dis
irlrt commissioner. My service rec
ord is unique inasmuch as I have
lad the honor TO serve under four
Presidents"
To the query as 10 what are the
outstanding accomplishments during
his long term of service, Commission
er Rudolph replied: "No one can claim
credit for the beneficial legislation