sentences:  Clements favored the physical valuation of railroads, which would aid in accessing taxation and allow the Commission to better evaluate rate increase requests.In 1911, after serving a month as acting chairman, he was elected chairman for a one-year term despite the reported opposition of President William Howard Taft, who wanted Republican Edgar Erastus Clark appointed chairman instead.However, at the time, the Commission invariably appointed its senior member as chairman, and Clements was elected.