Evening star., 1953-02-26
Delay in Picking
Commissioner
TiesUp District
VitoI City Decisions
Held Up as Donohue
Awoits Successor
By John V, Homer

RepuDncan organization fail.
ure to nominate successor to
Commissioner F. Joseph Dono-
hue has left the District Gov
ernment without positive direc-
ton or leadership.
Almost nothing is being done
to shape long-range policy,
though vital decisions must soon
be made on the new city budget
and a multl-million-do dollar pub
lie works program.
Commissioner Donohue, q
Democrat, submitted his reSigna-
tion to President Eisenhower
January %. Since then he has
heard nothing from the White
House.
Mr.. Donohue is president Of
the Board of Commissioners.
Expecting to hear at any mos
ment that his replacement had
been chosen. he has made no
effort to discharge major duties
that the new Commissioner
would assume.
Action Expected Quickly.
The retiring Commissioner
said frankly today that he has
mo heart" to undertake the big
tasks, now that he's on the way
out. He said, too, that he is
eager to resume the practice Of
law.
With pressure mounting for a
decision on the Commissioners
appointment, it appeared today
that action can be expected
within a week. Some informed
Republicans predicted President
Eisenhower would make the ap-
pointment Immediately after he
returns from a golfing week end
at Augusta, Ga.
This indicates that leaders Of
the local Republican organiza-
ton are ready with their nomi-
nations.
The development comes amid
reports that Republicans are
seeking way to ease out Com
missioner Renah F. Camalier.
too.
Representative Miller, Repub-
lican, of Nebraska, said a second
Republican may be appointed to
succeed Mr.. Camalier despite
the latter's refusal to resign.
Camalier Still Determined.
Commissioner Camalier was
appointed by President Truman
last June. He likes the job and
reiterated today that he intends
to serve out the full-three-year
term to which he was appointed.
Representative Miller has in
formed the White House that
there is no chance the House
would pass a bill to increase the
number Of Commissioners from
three to five. Such a change
was urged by President Eisen-
hover and a bill to that effect
was drawn by Senator Case, Re-
publican, of South Dakota.
According to leaders of the
COP in Washington, the field
of candidates for Commissioner
has narrowed to a few citizens,
with these three regarded as
running in front:
l. Samuel Spencer. 42-year-
old lawyer and veteran of COM
bat service in the Navy.
2. Claude w. owen, Ct, presi-
dent of a wholesale plumbing
and heating concern and a for
mer president Of the Washington
Board of Trade.
3. Mrs. Howard A. Coffin, wife
OF a former Representative and
currently the Republican Nation
al Committeewoman for the Disx
trict. She has not actively So
licited the job.
Politicians in both the Repub-
lican and Democratic Parties
agreed it is unlikely the Presi-
dent will appoint a Negro Com
missioner at this time. This as
sumption is based on the ap-
parent decision to kill Senator
Cases plan for increasing the
number of Commissioners to FIVE.
The politicians are divided on
predictions about a woman ap-
pointee. Representative Miller,
pointee. Representative Miller
said he believes Mrs. Coffin
stands an excellent chance. On
the other hand, Joseph C. Nc
Garraghy, the G. o. P. chairman
for the District, expressed doubt
that a woman would be chosen.
Big Jobs Ahead.
Three jobs. requiring much
study and much work, lie ahead
OF the Commissioners.
The first pertains to the Dis
trict budget for the next fiscal
year. The present proposal is for
(see COMMISSIONER, Pg. A-2)