Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-13
CROSBY CRITICS
HIT BY SIMMONS.
Charges Board of Trade De-
Sires to Continue Domino
ton of Government.

Sharp criticism of those who are OPP
posing Maj. Gen. Herbert B. Crosby for
the District commissionership under
the leadership Of Edward J. Murphy,
president of the Washington Board Of
Trade, was made on the floor of the
House today by Chairman Simmons of
the subcommittee now drafting the
District appropriation bill.
Mr.. Simmons declared that the fight
is really being made because the WASH
ington Board of Trade desires to con-
tinue domination of the Districts gov
eminent, and he said that they arc
lighting those who are best friends of
the District.
Representative Simmons pointed out
the friendship Of President Hoover
toward Washington, calling attention to
the fact that the President has taken
an interest in building up the Mall and
all Of the Capital projects. It was due
TO Mr.. Hoover'S personal approval of
the Municipal Center that the $3,O00,-
600 for 1t was authorized last Spring,
Mr.. Simmons said.
Business Men Refuse.
The President has endeavored to give
Washington the benefit of q progressive
government and q progressive develop
ment, said Mr.. Simmons. When he
came to appoint District Commissioners
he offered the positions to a number of
business men Of Washington, who re-
fused. He then selected Mai. Gen.
Crosby and at the same time let 1t be
known that he would tender the other
commisSionerShip to Herbert D. Brown,
director OF the Federal Bureau of En-
cheney.
The Board of Trade Immediately set
out to oppose the President, Repre-
sentative Simmons stated, on the
ground that Gen. Crosby is a soldier.
According to his own Judgment, this
was not the real reason for the oppo-
sion, Mr.. Simmons told his colleagues,
but because Gen. Crosby Is not in the
inner ring Of the Board of Trade that
dominates District affairs.
He also argued that criticism of his
conduct in having the Bureau of Ef-
flciency make a study Of the court was
not really based on that objection be-
cause lawyers, litigants and judges had
told him that what he did was abso-
lutely right. but the real purpose, as
Mr.. Simmons sees it for the attack on
himself was to lay a groundwork for
another attack to be directed against
Mr.. Brown when the President sends
his name to the Senate In nomination
for District Commissioner.
Fighting Best Friend Of d. C.
Representative Simmons declared that
when the President has named Gen.
Crosby and new engineer commits
Sioner, and Mr.. Brown from the Bu-
reau of Efficiency, instead of having
two OF their own friends on the board
OF District Commissioners, the Board
OF Trade will not have any Of its friends
on that governing body.
They are fighting the best friends
the District has when they do this, said
Mr.. Simmons.
He also pointed out that Mr.. Murphy,
who Is leading the fight against Gen.
Crosby for the District himself lives
in Maryland.
The scene of preparations for the
proposed city-wide campaign in oppo-
sttion to retired Army officer for a
civilian shifted today to the Chamber of
Commerce, following a conference yes
terday afternoon, at which the APP
pointment was discussed by civic, COM
mercial and labor leaders.
AS was anticipated, definite action
was not taken at the initial conference
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