Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-21

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Washington Chamber of Commerce;
Mark Lansburgh, president of the
Merchants and Manufacturers Associ-
alton: John B. Colpoys, representing
the Central Labor Union; Barnum A.
Levitan of the Columbia Heights Bust
ness Mems Association, and H. M.
Welsh of the Georgia Avenue Business
Mems Association.
Text Of Letter.
The text of the letter follows:
The President, the White House,
Washington, d. c.
Dear Mr.. President:
The civic and trade organizations of
the District Of Columbia listed below de-
sire to express to you their deep gratitude
and sincere appreciation of the interest
you have taken in the development and
government of the City of Washington,
and to thank you for your efforts, as
noted in the press Of this city, to Sc
lect from among its ablest citizens
Commissioners for the District Of CO.
lumbia.
ct is with deep regret, however, we
note press reports to the effect that you
have rendered the appointment as one
OF the civilian Commissioners of the
District of Columbia to a major general
of the United States Army.
We most respectively call to your
attention the organic act of June IL,
1878, providing for q Board of Commits
sioners, one of whom shall be an Engi-
neer offcer of the United States Army,
and the other two of whom shall be
appointed from civil life, with the
qualifications set out in the act, and in
that connection call to your attention
he
feel bear out this contention, namely:
That q member of the military arm of
the service of the United States Is not
eligible for appointment as Commits
sioner OF the District Of Columbia from
civil life and this status is not changed
by his retirement from the service.
I'VE believe the letter and spirit of
the organic act that requires two per-
sons to be appointed from civil life
should not be set aside.
PLEASE be advised that this COM
munication Is not in any way to be
deemed as a reflection upon the char
acter and ability Of the Army officer
whose name has been suggested in the
press, nor upon any other officer in the
United states military service.
In view OF the foregoing, may we
earnestly urge that you appoint to the
positions Of civilian Commissioners of
the District of Columbia bona fide resi-
dents who can legally qualify, with full
confidence that you will grant our
request"
Kramer Calls at White House.
Harry G. Kramer, a retired lawyer,
who has been living in Washington for
several years, and who was reported as
being under consideration by the
President for appointment as Commits
sioner, called at the White House to-
day Mr.. Kramer's name had been
suggested at the White House early in
February by Representative WolVerton
OF New Jersey. Mr.. Kramer did not
see the President today, but one of the
latter's secretaries informed him that
he had reason to know that he was not
being considered for the place.
Mr.. Kramer said that he was not a
candidate, although some of his friends,
Representative Wolverton being among
them. had attempted to prevail upon
him to accept the place In the event it
were offered. Mr.. Kramer said he was
anxious to have it understood that he
was not seeking this appointment and
that he much preferred to remain in
private life.