Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-20
Retired Lawyer Said to Have
Congressional Support
for Appointment.
GEN.CR0SBY'S OPPONENTS
DRAFTING PROTEST TODAY
Commercial and Labor Leaders
Believe Legal Opinions Will
Block Nomination.

Reports that Harry G. Kramer, a re-
tired lawyer, is being considered as
successor to Commissioner Sidney r.
Taliaferro were being circulated to-
day, while Isaac Cans, former president
Of the Chamber of Commerce. was In
conference with President Hoover at
the White House discussing, presum-
ably, the organized movement In op-
position to the appointment of Mai.
Gen. Herbert B. Crosby as successor to
Commissioner Proctor L. Dougherty.
Little is known of Mr.. Kramer, but
the rumors indicate he has the sup
port OF several members of Congress.
He lives at 1898 Ellicott street, and. it
is said, meets the residential REQUIRE
ments OF Commissioner.
Mr.. Kramer Is colonel in the Or
canned reserves and Is designated as a
STAFF specialist. His assignment is nro-
curement duty for mobilization in the
event OF a national emergency. In this
capacity he would work under the direc-
lion OF the Assistant Secretary of War.
he was promoted to his present rank
March %, 1926.
At the War Department it was said
that Mr.. Kramer was on Temporary
duty with the General Staff here. He
was lieutenant colonel in the Judge
Advocate Generals Department during
the World War.
Mr.. Kramer today declined to discuss
the subject. Meanwhile it was said
that members of the New jersey dele
CATION were preparing to submit his
name to the President.
Herbert D. Brown, director of the
United States Bureau of EFFICIENCY. IL
is known, had been under serious con-
SHERATON for Mr.. Taliaferros post, but
there have been indications that he
did not desire the position, and would
accept 1t only on condition that the
President was unable to find an ACCEPT
able candidate.
Discuss Opposition.
The purpose of MIR. Cans conference
with the President was not disclosed.
but reports from the White House were
That Mr.. Hoover sent for him to discuss
the opposition to the appointment of
Mr.. Cans declined to discuss the ma
ture OF the conference, saying he was
leaving the city for q visit and called
at the White House merely to pay his
AeSpeCCS 10 the PRESIDENT,
The conference between the President
and Mr.. Cans came as an aftermath of
a meeting yesterday afternoon between
a group Of commercial and labor lead
ers, at which 1t was decided to send to
the White House q resolution oppos-
ing Gen. Crosby's appointment. The
resolution is being framed today by a
committee composed of E. j. Murphy,
president Of the Board OF Trade:
Charles w. Darr, president of the
Chamber of Commerce; Mark Lans-
burgh, president of the Merchants and
Association, and John
P. Colpoys. representing the Central
Labor Union.
Reason for Cans Visit.
The President has been represented
as being at loss to understand Just
why there would be such a concerted
effort on the part of civic and labor
bodies In the Capital to obstruct him
in placing Gen. Crosby on the Board of
Commissioners. 1t was suggested by
one of the Presidents intimates that
the President selected Mr.. Cans because
of his wide knowledge of local affairs
and acquaintance with civic leaders to
learn, If possible, something of the ele-
mentS figuring in the opposition to his
of Gen. Crosby. Mr.. Cans
would not confirm this when he talked
to newspaper men after leaving the
Presidents office.
It was said at the White House again
today by one of the Presidents aSso-
ciateS that regardless of the fight on
Gen, Crosbys appointment, his name
would not be discarded and that when
the time arrived the PRESIDENT would
send his nomination to the Senate,
Moreover, the President was repre-
sented as still being satisfied that Gen.
Crosby's appointment would not be
illegal as has been claimed by many
who have read that section of the or
ganic act defining the appointment of
civilian Commissioners.
The trade bodies objections to be cited
against Gen. Crosby are being guarded
with utmost secrecy, and the resolution,
Z was announced, will not be made pub
&c until 1t is received by the President. It
IS believed, however, that the resolution
will call attention to the organic act of
The District providing that two of the
three members of the Board of Com
miSsioners shall be civilians and quote
egal opinions indicating that q retired
Army officer does not have q civil
status
Decide on Resolution.
The decision to send a resolution to
he President expressing the attitude of
The trade and labor organizations was
reached at a conference of representa-
ives OF these groups yesterday after
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