Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-11


any subordinate of the power
commission. Under the law the
commission appoints these officers
untrammelled. If the power COM
mission shall fall to employ honest
and capable officials, 1t is within my
power to remove such officials as
well as the members of the commits
sion. have not and shall not
hesitate to exert that authority.
The House Of Representatives has
the right to impeach any public
official and II the power commission
shall be derelict in the performance
Of its duties, the orderly and con-
stitutional manner of procedure by
the legislative branch would be by
impeachment, and not through an
attempt by the Senate to remove
them under the guise of recon-
sidering their nominations, or any
attempt to force administrative
agencies to q particular action.
Fitness Was Investigated.
"Tn july last, I nominated TO the
Senate Col. Garsaud and MessrS.
Draper and Williamson as members
Of the new commission. Their char
acter and fitness for its duties were
inquired into by a committee Of the
Senate and favorably reported. Ow-
ing to the press Of business in the
last session, these nominations were
not considered at that time. Their
names remained before the country
for four months and in December
renominated' them to the Senate to-
gether with Mr.. George Otis Smith
and Mr.. Frank r. McNinch.> The
qualifications of all five members
were again searchingly investigated
by the committee, the nominations
we're favorably reported to the Sen
ate and they were confirmed on De-
cenber 10 and 20, after full consid-
Grafton and debate.
mfr. George Otis Smith has been
In public service, as O member and
head Of the Geological Survey for
80 years through Democratic 90 well
as Republican administrations. He
has distinguished himself as an inde-
pendent devoted public official with
o larger knowledge of water power
resources of the United States than
any other man. He was chosen as
chairman of the commission Col.
Garsaud is an eminent engineer and
had distinguished service as colonel
in the Army during the World War.
Mr.. Draper served for 10 years as
chairman of the Public Utilities
Commission of his State with the
universal approval of the citizens of
that State. Not single member Is
in the remotest way connected with
power interests.
Upon confirma ton, official notice
was forwarded to me by the secre-
tary of the Senate In accordance
with the presidents OF many years.
/ thereupon ISSUED the commissions
and the appointees were duly sworn
into ONCE.
Notice to Employees.
"Messrs. Smith, Draper and Car
saud, the only members who were
then in Washington, met and as
Sumed the responsibility of Office,
and understand, notified all en-
ployes of the old commission that
under the new law their employ
ment was automatically terminated.
Arrangements were made with the
Civil Service Commission TO tenn
ROA0AAy AOA11A1AAI b4AS AACLAIOA Till
ployes and further action was de-
ferred upon the secretary, o solicit
tor and an accountant, and others,
until meeting of the full commits
sion, including Messrs Williamson
and McNinch, which was held early
In January.
"At that time all employees, includ-
ing the three men whose dismissal
has been the subject of controversy,
were informed they could apply for
reappointment and their qualifca-
tons would he examined. / am in
formed that the solicitor and ac-
countant have applied for reappoint-
ment, but no action has been taken
by the commission upon their appli-
cations. The chairman of the COM
mission has, however, expressed dis
approval especially of the former
secretary and the solicitor because
Of ng-continued chickering's and
controversies among employees Of the
old commission.
II regret that the Government
should be absorbed upon such ques-
tons as the action of the Power
Commission in employment or nom
employment of two subordinate ON
Gals at q time when the condition
OF the country requires every con-
structive energy"