Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-28
UTILITY CHAIRMAN
TO retire MAY 81.
Hoover, Accepting ChiIdress'
Resignation, Praises His
Fine Service.

President Hoover yesterday afternoon
accepted the resignation of John W.
Childress as q member of the Public
Utilities Commission to become effec-
tive May 81.
Mr.. Childress. the first and only
chairman the new commission has had
since its creation more than two years
ago. sent his resignation to the White
House late Friday. In accepting it,
President Hoover said
Il have received your letter of April
rs conveying your resignation as a
member of the Public Utilities Com
mission. In accepting it I wish TO ex-
press M appreciation for the devotion
and fine service you have given in the
public interest"
Accepts New Post.
Mr. Childress resigned TO accept a
position with the newly created United
States Lines, Inc. He will be the
corporations general agent for the Dis
trict Of Columbia, Maryland and Vir-
ginia.
The resignation of Chairman Chill
dress creates two vacancies on the
commission, one of which must be filled
before May 81, otherwise the commits
with its remaining Inernber--Col. Will
liam u oAY1A EnWfnAar CNY11NHt@Mfnf1o az
Of the District. The other vacancy
was caused by the failure of the Senate
to confirm former President Coolidges
nomination Of Col. Harrison Brand, tr.
Soon after the announcement Of MFR.
Childress' resignation reached the Dis
trict Building, speculation was again
revived as to the probable successor of
the chairman as we'll as Col Brand.
Although no fntfnatfon has come from
the White House as to whom the Presi-
dent had under consideration for Col.
Brands post, it IL known that there are
at least half dozen candidates for
the position. These include William
Mckinley Clayton, veteran chairman of
the public utilities committee Of the
Federation OF Citizens Associations,
and William A. Roberts and Maj. Clay
ton E. Emig, both former vice chair
men OF that committee.
More Candidates Expected.
The resignation Of Mr. Childress.
of candidates to the list, since PYesi-
dent Hoover will have two vacancies
instead of one TO fiIl Earl v. Fisher,
executive secretary of the commission,
and b. Nick. Bachman, its chief ac-
countant, already have been promi-
nently mentioned for the position.
Both Fisher and Bachman have been
connected with the commission for a
number Of years. and have won the
confidence and respect of the public
through their work. They also are
thoroughly familiar with the outstand-
ing public utility questions which have
confronted, the commission in recent
years.
The fact that the two new members
Of the commission win have TO face
three important problems a. soon a.
they take Office and the necessity for
background of knowledge Of each OF
them Is believed in public utility cir
Giles 10 strengthen the possibility Of
either Fisher or Bachman being ap-
pointed to one of the vacancies. These
questions are the important merger OF
valuation case and the application for
q higher fare which the Capital Trac-
ton Co. is expected to Ale with the
commission in the near future. Bach
man and Fisher both are familiar with
these problems, which. 1t was said
would take person unfamiliar WITH
them six months or more to study and
grasp.
to be a Republican and the other a
Democrat. Col. Brand was the Repub-
lican on the commission and Mr..
Childress the Democrat. and President
Hoover. It is believed, probably viii fol-
low this set-up. Politically Mr.. Bach
man is a Democrat and Mr.. Fisner 2
ReDubIican. the former being native
of Tennessee and the latter native
Of Ohio.
Homes TO Dispose Of Problem.
BEFORE he retires, Mr. Childress said
he hopes to be able to dispose OF tne
uroblein of establishing union tcrmi-
naI for the various motor bus lines en-
gagged In interstate transportation. ne
Mans to can q conference Of the Dus
onerators in the near future 70 discuss
plans for the terminal.
Mr.. Childress has been an ardent ad-
yocate Of q union bus terminal ever
since he was appointed TO the commits
sion, and through his EFFORTS largely
the recent movement for the establish
ment of such a depot was inaugurated
With Mr.. Fisher he planned TO inspect
model bus terminals in other cities. put
the trip was cancelled because OF rul-
ing OF Maj. Daniel J. Donovan, District
auditor and budget officer, which pre-
vented the Commissioners from allowing
these officials funds with which to pay
the expenses.