Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-15
Complete ExoneratiOn Fol-
lows Efficiency Bureau In
quiry Into Scandal"
REINSTATEMENT, THEN
RESIGNATION, SUGGESTED
Report to Be Made to District Com
missioners Will Show No
Evidence Of Corruption.

Complete exoneration of Col. l. c.
Moller of any wrongdoing in his ad-
ministration as assistant to NJ. o. FL
bridge, director of traffic, and recon-
mendatioE for Moller's reinstatement
to the Office from which he was sus-
pended by the District Commission
ers as the result of revelations before
the Gibson House subcommittee inves-
tigating District affairs, will be en-
bodied in the finding Of the Bureau of
Efficiency, which has been conducting
an investigation of the Traffic Bureau,
IT was stated officially today. The
bureau report will be made public
shortly
The bureau. it is understood authen-
tlcally, will say that Moller was only
"indiscreet," and that there is no i'm
plication of dishonesty in his dealing
with the Grouse Kinds Co., from which
the District purchased the traffic sig
nal lights about which the Moller case
revolved.
Would Let Him Resign.
But because the Bureau of Efficiency
feels convinced, after its investigation.
that Col. Moller was so indiscreet and
displayed a certain amount of inef-
ficiency and poor judgment in the pur-
chase of traffic lights, in recommend
ing his reinstatement the bureau prob
ably will recommend also that he be
permitted to resign shortly thereafter
for the good of the service" accord
ing to the term generally used in the
Government in cases of this kind.
The authority for this information
intimated also that the bureaus re-
al (NfNl
MOller's reinstatement in the service
without the understanding that he
resign, but because of the fact that
the public of Washington may have,
to a large extent, lost confidence in
the administration of the Traffic Bu-
reau, it is held doubtful if this will
be recommended. However, 1t has
not been definitely determined.
Also. it is pointed out that the in
discreet manner in which Col. Moller
handled the contract and purchases
for the traffic lights and signals shows
clearly his lack of business expert
ence and capacity for administrative
office and that it would be best for
the District government, in the opin-
ion of the Bureau of Efficiency, if
some one else should serve in his
place.
lHFec NOuISCS
When these points of recommenda-
ton have been settled definitely,
which will be very shortly, the bu-
reau will transmit the report and
recommendation TO the Commission
ers. In reaching conclusion on
these points, the bureau is consider
ing the following three courses:
An indefinite suspension, which
was given him by the District Com
missioners, converted into dismissal
from the service.
Reinstatement to office, with a
statement that his purchases lndi-
Gated indiscretion, but not dishon-
esty or corruption.
Lastly, reinstatement with exonera-
ton from all personal charges. but
with the understanding that he be
permitted to gracefully resign soon
afterward.
Although these three courses are
being considered by the bureau at
this time. it is felt by those who are
in a position to know that the last
course will be the one finally recon-
mended. 1t is explained in this con-
nection that the bureau is anxious to
make this compromise in order tn
do full Justice to Col. Moller and at
the same time not to embarrass the
Traffic Bureau or the District govern
ment.
Report to Give Details.
This report necessarily will deal
with the various details of the revela-
tions laid before the Gibson subcom-
mittee and will therefore report re-
garding the responsibility of Traffic
Director Eldridge and Maj. Z. j. Dom
CVan, auditor of the District, who, ac-
cording to Moller before the subcom-
mittee, had knowledge of his prepara-
ton of his specifications for the pur-
chase of traffic signals as well as the
alleged Irregularities incident to the
signing of pay vouchers for the ma
terial received from the contractors.
No intimation was given as to the
probable report the bureau will make
regarding the extent of the RESPONSE
bility of Eldridge and Donovan.
This report will not be made pub
lie by the bureau when ii is trans
mitted to the District Commission
ers. The advisability of publicity will
be left entirely to the discretion OF
the latter.
Prompt Action Assured.
Definite assurance was given at the
District Building today that prompt
action WOulQ De tdken ny tHe OOHl-
missioners in determining the fate OF
Col. Moller upon the receipt OF the
report OF the bureau OF efficiency. The
Commissioners, it was indicated, would
be guided in their action by Mr..
Browns recommendations.
Although Moller linked the names Of
Traffic Director Eldridge and Auditor
Daniel j. Donovan in the case, no ac-
ton was taken by the Commissioners
in respect to these two officials.
Ever since the Gibson committee
completed it's inquiry into the Traffic
the Commissioners, in CO.
operation with the bureau Of efficiency.
have been quietly probing deeper into
the case. The Commissioners, however,
have been reticent regarding any
further developments. and promised
that when the efficiency bureau sub
mitted it's report they would AK re-
sponsibility" and take whatever action
was necessary In the interest of the