Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-02

II is to The STAR that the public is accustomed to
look for such announcements, and there IL always
expects TO find them.
But fortunately for the demand thus made in
behalf OF The STAR, other things not equal as
between Ii and any other paper published in
Washington. On the contrary. its claim is
strengthened by every consideration which should
have weight with public officers faithful to the
! trusts committed to their hands. Two leading
| considerations of this claim are these:
l. HE STAR maintains, and Is prepared to prove
on proper showing, under oath, that the regular
bona tide daily circulation in the District Of Column
pa Is more man t,cioe and hay greater than
hdt OF any other paper published here.
H. That, taking into account character and ex-
tent OF circulation (which alone form the true
Of advertising In THE STAR are not hair as high as
those or any other daily paper published here.
Another point, which must not be overlooked in
reaching conclusion on this subject, is the fact
that each of the other daily papers here uses
larger type than does The STAR for advertising
matter, 80 that as between other papers and it,
not only are taxpayers compelled to pay a greater
price per line Tor such matter elsewhere but they
are also made to pay such greater price for less
matter IN each tiae,-a difference which itself will
amount TO a material sum in an advertisement Of
considerable length, even II the rates were the
same on other bases.
The STAR claims, therefore, and insists that,
alike on the ground Of properly notifying the pub
lie In regard to those things which it has the
Questioned right to know, and that OF
OF public moneys, all advertisements eman-
ating from the Office of the District
whether they appear elsewhere or not, and espe-
cially is this claim urged in regard to taxsale adj
vertisements, or notices to delinquent taxpayers,
of the character of those now in course of publca
ton in another paper.
The propriety Of printing such advertisements
in the paper having the largest circulation Is adj
mitted not only by implication but in terms, by
the paper now printing series of them. which
holds out to its readers the idea that they are
printed therein because of its larger circulaton,a
pretense which is not only grossly unjust to this
paper, but which places the Commissioners them
selves in false and ridiculous attitude before the
public.
IN conclusion, the attention of the Commits
sioners is respectfully invited to the enclosures
herein. which set forth more fully and distinctly
the claims made above.
With great respect, yours, very truly,
President EreniIl0 Star Newspaper Co.
Mr.. Davis asked if the Commissioners sub
mitted to the insistence and demand of The
STAR made in this letter, and Mr.. Wheatley
said it had not that they had considered it
arrogant. and decided not to notice it.
MIR. Rowell asked the witness If there had
been any order forbidding Mr.. Cox or any one
access to the books of the Office.
The witness said he did not know of any.
Mr.. Webs REPLY
The witness was then examined by Mr.
Moves, who asked first whether any reply
had been made by the Commissioners to the
letter from Mr.. Kaufman. Mr.. Wheatley
said there had not been any by the Commits
sioners.
Did not Mr.. Webb reply to it," asked Mr..
Moves.
Not in his capacity as Commissioner" said
Mr.. Wheatley.
Mr. Moves stated that The STAR Office had
received a reply to the letter signed by Mr..
Webb as president of the board of Commits
sioners. He produced the letter and submitted
it in evidence, calling attention to the fact that
it was signed officially in the same manner as
the letter from Mr.. Kaufman was addressed.
1t was as follows:
WASHINGTON, September 7, 'ss.
s. III. KdnGnlann, Esq, President Euenfng Star
Newspaper Company
DEAR SIR: Your favor of July 9TH has remained
unanswered because of absence from the city,
and because have at no time since its receipt
been in condition TO make such reply as feel it
merits and must be excused IL now fail to meet
some of the points TO which you direct attention.
l feel sure that Mr.. NOyes has interpreted into
a positive promise on the part of my colleague,
what was meant simply as an expression of the
conclusion reached by the Board of Commissioners,
which to divide as fairly it could be done,
the advertising Of the tax sales among the several
newspapers of the city.
i think your letter proceeds upon an erroneous
estimate OF the duties of the Commissioners with
respect TO the advertisement of sales for taxes
Nothing in the law contemplates such an adyer-
tSement shall have for its chief object the pro-
curing of the largest attendance of bidders at such
sale. The main purpose of the advertisement is
10 give notice to delinquents so that they may
have an opportunity TO redeem their property be-
with respect to general taxes does not require any
advertisement Of the tax sale. at all: it provides
for the publication of tax arrearages in pam
phlet the number Of which is limited and the dstr
button of that pamphlet 10 all persons interested.
And none Of the laws regulating tax sales make
any special provision with regard to the method of
the advertisement of tax sales, but simply pro-
vide that such advertisement shall be made in the
regular issue of some newspaper published in the
District Of Columbia. Now If am right in what
have said about tax sales, il can make differ
ence in the principle of the thing that The EVEN
ING STAR has the largest circulation in the Dis
trict don't need any proof Of that fact, and If il
were in my opinion of the importance that you
give ii could agree with you that all sales shald
be made in your paper. / am also free TO admit
all you say touching the character of THE STAR
and of its circulation, and cheerfully admit ell
the strength that belongs to such characteristics.
But do not think that the law expressly or by
implication requires the advertisement of sales to
be in the newspaper having the largest issue or
possessing the other qualifications referred to- and
in the nature of things don't see why it should.
In this matter the Commissioners are striving
TO do what they think is fair TO all, without par
TALLY of any kind, and it seems to me that in
doing so they are doing right.
Very respectfully, (Signed) W. B. WEBB.
President Board Commissioners.
Mr.. Moves examined Mr.. Wheatley then at
some length. The witness said it had been
manifest to him that there was a change in the
attitude of The STAR toward the Commission
ers since the refusal to give THE STAR all the
special assessment advertising. Mr.. Noyes
asked if prior to that date it had not been Gus
tomary with The STAR to criticise the public
acts of the Commissioners?
mot without first consulting them" said
Mr.. Wheatley. He said that in this case they
had not been told what the charges were or
given opportunity to reply.
HE ENDORSED 1T THEN.
Mr. Wheatley said, in answer to questions by
Mr.. Noyes. that on the day following the
first publication STAR reporter had called on
the Commissioners. He was shown THE STAR
containing the statement of Mr.. Webb re-
printed by The STAR, with further state
ment by Mr.. Wheatley referring to it as repre-
senting the views of the Commissioners. Mr.
Wheatley said he did not now endorse the word
.'agent" used In Mr.. Webbs statement
Mr.. Wheatley was asked whether THE STAR
had not, prior to the occurrence related by Mr..
Wheatly, published numerous communications
concerning acts of the Commissioners. He
said it had, but generally got the views of the
Commissioners first. He did not remember es-
pecially the articles in The STAR. There were a
great many editorials His attention was called
to criticisms of the management of the water
Office, for which the Commissioners were di-
rectly responsible, and asked If that had not
occurred prior to this occurrence and prior to
the criticisms on the 'extra-legal real estate
bureau" of the Commissioners Office. MIR.
Wheatley did not recall much about these mat
tiers or the criticisms of the Commissioners re-
speeding their action in recognizing the school
board and opposing the new school board bill.
l., 4