MAJ. J. FRANKLIN BELL APPOINTED D.C. ENGINEER COMMANDER
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 12, 1923, Major J. Franklin Bell* was appointed Engineer Commander of the District of Columbia by President Warren G. Harding. Major Bell will replace Colonel Charles Keller who resigned to take a civilian position.
Major Bell is the namesake of his uncle, Major General James Franklin Bell who was US Army Chief of Staff 1906-1910.
*J. Franklin Bell was born on Nov 9 1876 & graduated United States Military Academy 1902. JFB was assigned to the Corps of Engineers & served in the Philippines & in France during WWI. He earned a BS & MS at Washington & Jefferson College.
SOURCE
"Maj. Bell Named As Commissioner, Succeeds Keller," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 12, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
