Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-29
PEOPLES COUNSEL
CHOICE DIFFICULT
Telephone and Token Users
Eliminated Under Law,
President Suggests.

In the opinion of President Coolidge
there are very few people in the Dis
trict of Columbia who would not be
disqualified for appointment as peo-
pies counsel of the Public Utilities
Commission If the law governing this
appointment is to be given a literal
Interpretation.
The President pointed out yesterday
that Congress has gone to such
lengths, making 1t impossible for any
one to hold this office who has any
connection with or interest in a. public
utility; that there is some question as
to whether a person who has ever
entered into contract for the use Of
n telephone may not be disqualified
tlnder the law.
While not saying he was going to
assume that the entering into a tele-
phene contract would disQualify any
one, the President, after a close study
of the wording of the law, Is satisfied
that such a literal construction could
serve as the basis for an argument.
If the law is interpreted literally, 1t
might be taken that the telephone con-
tract was sufficient cause to prevent
an appointment to this place, he con-
tends.
Tokens Might Be Barrier.
In fact, the President is not certain
but what the purchase of tickets or
tokens on the street railways, which,
he presumes, would be a contract be-
tween the person purchasing them
and the street railway corporation to
would not disqualify. He Is
quite sure, though, that 1t would on
a close Interpretation or literal inter
uretatiou of the statute,
In mentioning these possibilities the
President was represented as explain
ing that he wanted to show to what
length Congress went, and to let the
public know how he has been embar-
rassed and handicapped because OF the
manner in which Congress has tied
his hands In making appointments
under the law, he has found 1t espe-
cia.lly difficult because Of the reStric-
tions under the law to obtain the serv-
ices of persons who undoubtedly would
be willing to serve, who are of expert
ence and ability, and who, outside of
this statute, are recognized as persons
of high standards. This legislation
has so limited his choice that he Is
finding it hard to get a man of expert
ence and outstanding ability. because
he may within certain specified time
have owned some securities in a cor
poration or may have had some con-
tract or other direct or indirect con-
nection with some public utility.
Residence Clause Cited.
That part of the law requiring the
person to be appointed to this place to
have been a bona fide resident Of the
District of Columbia continuously for
a period of at least five years also has
added to his troubles, and has limited
the field to select from. according to
the President. However, 1t Is that
part of the law prohibiting a person
from serving in this position who
shall have during period Of five
years preceding his appointment di-
rectly or indirectly been interested in
any local public utility, or in any
stock, bond, mortgage, security or
contract of any such public utility"
that has become so irksome and OBJ
1ectionable to the Executive.
This opinion of the law In question
was given by the President following
g. denial on his part that there has
been any secrecy surrounding the Sc
lection of men to public office in this
CITY since he has been President. 1t
being his evident intention to answer
criticism to the effect that his appoint
ments have been marked by secrecy.
CONTINUED on Page 4. Column ~