Evening star., 1952-06-08
; in Running
For Recreation
Board Vacancy
Gichner, jacob,
Bethlehem Eyed
For Wender's Post

DettSlHSim Eyeu
For Wender's Post
Three men are in the running
to I'LL the vacancy on the Dis
trict Recreation Board created by
the resignation of Harry S. Wen
der, it. was learned yesterday.
They are:
Retired Army Col. Edwin S
Bethlehem. 65, administrative and
probate lawyer active in local
patriotic affairs and a past Ma
sonic Grand Master here.
Herbert j. jacob, 62, patent
lawyer and former national vice
commander Of the American
Legion.
Henry Gichner, 46. general
manager of the Fred S. Gichner
Iron Works, amateur photogra-
pher and sandlot baseball umpire.
All said yesterday that while
they have not sought appoint
ment to the Recreation Board,
they would accept it as a public
service.
Unaccountably Delayed.
Mr.. Wender announced a year
ago that he would not stand for
reappointment when his term ran
out on May 20. The appointment
of his successor has been unac-
countably delayed by the Com.
missioners.
Mr.. Wender has served on the
board since it was created in
1912. He was elected its chair
man each year during that time.
The board Will meet Tuesday
with the election of a chairman,
vice chairman and secretary as
the order of business. There is
little chance the vacancy will be
filled before the meeting.
Commissioner F. Joseph Dono-
hue is on leave and is scheduled
to return to his Office Wednesday,
Engineer Commissioner Bernard
L. Robinson and Commissioner
Renah F. Camalier intend to await
his return before filling the
vacancy.
36 Years in the Army.
Col. Bethlehem said he is bud
dies" with Mr.. Camalier. Both
rank high in District Masonic cir
cles.
Col. Bethlehem retired from the
Army in 1948 after SO years serv-
ice. He is now national executive
officer of the Military Order of
World Wars, and a member of the
Board of Trade and the District
Bar Association.
A native of New York, Col. Bet
teIheim was graduated from Co
lumbia University. After coming
to Washington. he received mas
ters and bachelors degrees in both
arts and law from George Wash
ington University.
He lives with his wife. Doro-
thy, at 1927 Massachusetts, avenue
NV. His law Office is located at
TOO I street NV.
Known for Photography.
Mr.. Gichner is a son of the
founder of the 54-year-old Gich-
ner Iron Works. He obtained his
degree in mechanical engineering
at Cornell University. His pho
tography has won him a number
of prizes. His umpiring of sand
lot, high school and service games
has gained him a wide reputation
in local baseball circles.
Mr.. Gichner has served on an
advisory citizens committee OF
Juvenile Court, the education COM
mittee of the Board of Trade and
the citizens committee investigat-
ing school vandalism. He has
conducted photography courses
for the Recreation Department.
Mr.. Gichner, his wife Isabelle.
and their four children, Susan, 18;
Bette, IS; David, 13, and Flora.
10, live at 6115 Thirty-third
street NV.
Pilot in World War I.
Mr.. jacob, like Mr.. Gichner,
Washington-born, is graduate
of Georgetown University Law
School where he also won a mas
ters degree in patent law. He also
studied engineering at George
Washington University.
A veteran of the first world war,
in which he served as an obser-
vation pilot lieutenant in the Air
Corps, Mr.. jacob later moved
all the way up the line in the
National Cathedral Post No. 10.
American Legion. He later rose to
department vice commander and
commander and in 1850 was
named national vice commander
of the Legion. Since 1916. he has
been a member Of the National
Veterans Preference Committee
of the Legion which he represents
on veterans preference matters
before Congress
He lives with his wife Her.
mione at 1905 Gramercy street
NV, and maintains his law Of
flee in the National Press Build
ing. The Jacobs have two sons,
Herbert. jr., 20, and Robert, 81.