Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-22
CAPPER PROMISES
TO SPEED ACTION
ON COMM|SS|ONERS
Plans to Call Committee To-
gether Next Week to Con-
slider Appointments.
OPPOSITION TO CROSBY
TO BE TAKEN TO SENATE
DR.. Reichelderfer and Former Cav
airy Chief Prepare for
New Duties.

Early action by the Senate on the
nominations of Maj. Gen. Herbert B
Crosby and DR.. Luther H. Reichelderfei
to be District Commissioners was fore
cast in an announcement today by
Chairman Capper of the Senate District
committee that he would call the COM
mittee together next week to consider
the appointments.
The date for the meeting has not
been fixed, but Senator Capper in
dicated that it probably would be about
the middle of the week so as to provide
ample time for any reaction that may
develop.
Already Washington's trade and labor
organizations, that opposed Gen. CROSBY
on the ground that his selection would
constitute q violation of the District
organic act, have served notice OF their
intention to carry the fight to the SEN
ate. No opposition has been mace,
however, to the appointment OF Or.
Reichelderfer.
AppOintees Prepare for Work.
DR.. Reichelderfer made preparations 70
familiarize themselves with the prob
lens of the municipal government. Dr..
Reichelderfer said he planned to visit
the District Building some time next
week to meet the retiring Commission
ers and the department heads. In view
of the opposition of the commercial and
labor organizations, Gen. Crosby let IT
become known that he likely would
postpone his visitation until the Senate
acts on his nomination.
An announcement by both of the ap-
uointees that their induction into office
would not be followed by sweeping
changes has served to dispel fears at
the District Building of drastic shakes
up. Some establishments IN organiza-
ton may be made, it was indicated, but
these are not expected to affect the
personnel.
Gen. crosby, in accordance with the
wish of President Hoover will take over
supervision of the Police, Fire and Traf-
fic Departments, which commissioner
Dougherty now directs.
The Health Department, which also
Is under the supervision OF Mr.. Dough-
erty. probably will be transferred TO
DR.. Reichelderfer, who Is TO succeed
Commissioner Sidney F. Taliaterro.
This would give DR.. Reichelderter ad-
ministration of all welfare and health
activities of the municipal Government,
for which he is peculiarly well quail
fed as a result of his long experience
as a practicing physician, in addition
to his executive training as an ottlcer
of the National Guard and as president
of the District Medical Society.
AS successor to Commissioner Tal1a-
ferro. DR.. Reichelderfer also viii heao
the legal and financial departments OF
the District government, Wnlcn ncIuoe
the corporation counsePs once, Ine
auditors office, the tax assessors once
and the office of the collector OF taxes.
There is a likelihood that in the antlcl-
mated reorganization DR.. ReicheloerIer
NAV shift the corporation counseIs
ofhce to Gen. Crosby in exchange LOT
the Health Department.
The plan of departmental organlza-
ton. however, will not be WORKED out
until the new Commissioners take ONCE.
DR.. Reichelderfer and Gen. CROSBY nave
not vet met and neither knows what
the other has in mind, tnougn poCL
of them have told newspaper men tnat
they will take Office without any pre-
conceived ideas or plans:
Both DR.. Reiehelderfer and Gen.
Crosby have been swamped with con-
EXAMINATIONS since their appointments
were announced yesterday at the WnlIe
House. DR.. Reichelderfer who Is more
widely known in Washington, since ne
has lived and practiced here since boy
hood has been kept at his telephone
almost constantly, answering the calls
of his friends.
Opposition Completes Plans.
The commercial and labor organiza-
fions have virtually completed theli
plans to fight Gen. CrosbyS conflrma.
ton by the Senate. 1t will be basec
solely on the contention that Gen
Crosby is not civilian and his appoint
nent conflicts with the organic act o.
the District, which provides thaG tn'
two civilian Commissioners snail p'
appointed from civilian ranks.
The executive secretary OF tn
Board of Trade, has been IN
structed to prepare petition to be sent
to Senator Capper requesting q nearing
before his committee when 1t consider
Gen. CroSby's nomination. Ohclas Of
the Board of Trade, the Washington
Chamber Of Commerce and the Mer'
chants & Manufacturers Association al.
ready have been authorized TO sign II
Cottrell also will get the signatures o.
representatives of the groups tha
joined the three commercial organlza'
lions in their protest to President
Hoover against Gen. Crosby's appoint
ment. These include the Central Labor
Union, the Columbia Heights Business
Mems Association and the Georges
Avenue Business Mems Association.
According TO present plans, the pro-
testing organizations will delegate
Charles W. Darr, an attorney and presi'
dent of the Chamber of Commerce, Il
argue the legality of Gen. Crosby's ap'
pointment, IL the Senate District com
mittee grants their request for a hear
ing. Darr already has marshaled ar
array of court rulings and decisions Of
the controller general to support thu
contention that Gen. Crosby Is not Z
civilian, even though he is on the re-
tired list of the Army.