Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-10
HARTMAN NAMED
TO UTILITIES POST
Rate ConSuItant Picked by
Hoover as Well Fitted
for Commission.

Harleigh H Hartman, railroad rate
consultant and lawyer and recognized
as an authority On public utility mat
ters, was named today by President
Hoover to the Public Utilities Commis-
sion of the District to fill the vacancy
created when the Senate at the last
session failed to confirm Col. Harrison
Brand, who had been nominated by
President Coolidge for second term.
In Mr.. Hartman President Hoover Is
satisfied that ne has selected a man
eminently well equipped to accept the
tasks that will confront him. Mr..
Hoover picked Mr.. Hartman after CIV
ing the matter long and serious study
and only after the qualifications OF
more than forty aspirants had been
thoroughly gone into. After looking up
MFR. Hartman's record as lawyer ana
as a special examiner for the Inter
state Commerce Commission, Mr:
Hoover is said to have felt satlsfed
that Mr.. Hartman's appointment Woulo
be a good one.
The White House, in announcing Mr..
Hartman's selection, did not make pup
lie names of these who sponsored ms
appointment other than to say that
members of the Interstate commerce
Commission who had reason to observe
closely Mr.. Hartman's ability, indorsed
him very highly.
Another Selection Soon.
Il was said at the White House to-
day that Mr. Hoover hopes to be able
to select a successor to John w. Child
ress, who has resigned as member OF
the commission, within the next week
or 10 days.
The, President has been represented
as being especially anxious to select
only those who impress him as having
the proper training and knowledge TO
serve on the Public Utilities Commis-
sion. 1t has been his purpose to cast
aside those whom he recognized as being
candidates for the commission prin-
cipally because of its importance in the
District and the salary attached to the
position and not because OF any special
training or qualifications.
The President realizes that the work
of this commission is highly important
and means much in the future develop
ment of utilities in the National Capital.
The President himself has more than
a casual knowledge of the problems that
confront the commission, such as the
appeal for a car-fare increase, the gas
valuation case now pending in court,
the settlement of the question regard
ing the bus terminals, and the question
of new agreement with the telephone
company regarding rates. Because
of importance of these problems, the
President has been casting about Tor
the best possible men for the two places
that he has had to I'LL.
Calls Upon President.
1t was not until late yesterday that
the President had met Mr.. Hartman
personally. After deciding to select
him for Col. Brands place on the COM
mission, he sent for Mr.. Hartman To
come to the White House for brief
conference.
It is understood that after his chat
with Mr.. Hartman and his opportunity
to give him the "once over" President
Hoover gave orders to have the commits
sion for his appointment made out and
be sent to the Senate today.
The White House feels that there will
be no opposition to Mr.. Hartman's con-
/ firmation and it is expected to come up
shortly. in order that Mr.. Hartman may
assume his duties without delay.
Mr. Hartman when asked about his
appointment today said that he felt
greatly honored and he hoped to be
able to serve to the satisfaction OF
everyone concerned.
Will Seek Improvements.
"I will work to bring about anything
to improve the public utilities If 1t is
in the public interest,"" the new Com
missioner declared. "If there is room fol
| improvement, and I believe there is,
| am confident the commission has the
/ power to bring it about" he said.
Mr. Hartman indicated an intimate
knowledge of the various problems nov
confronting the commission, gained
! through his long career as lawyer ant
consultant who has specialized in pub
| lie utilities He declined. however, Il
discuss his views at this time, pointing
out that his appointment has yet to bt
confirmed by the Senate.
The merger agreement now before
Congress for ratification. Mr.. Hartman
said he studied closely and followed 1t:
progress through the various stages from
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