The Washington critic., 1889-02-02
THE SCHOOL SITE INVESTIGATION.

1HE SOHUUb SIZE lNNEoIluAIlUN'
The Differences Between tho "Star" and
the Commissioners Regarding Ohiciai
Advertising.
For nearly two hours yesterday afternoon
Mr. Taulbce's committee, or q fragment Of IT,,
listened to a trial Of the question Of animus
on the part Of that paper toward the Com
missloners, and the real question under in
vcstigation was lost sight of for that length
Of time. Mr. Rowell and Mr.. Baker were the
only members of the committee present.
While Commissioner Wheatley was on the
stand Mr. Davis, the Commissioners attorney,
said
at would seem from the testimony Of some
OF the witnesses, who have dcuicd the correct
ness Of interviews in the star, that the Star
itself, from all appearance, desired to unfairly
/ criticise the Commissioners. Is there any
| thug In your mind that would cause you to
think the star desired to attack the Commits
siouersP'
u.s. was tie reply.
Mr.. Rowell objected because the Star was
] not on examination.
Mr.. Theodore Noyes injected himself into
| the case, and said lie could show that the Star
was acting In the interest of the taxpayers.
| He insisted on the inquiry proceeding Mr..
| Noyes' request was granted.
Mr.. Wheatley then proceeded TO state that
! last July there was lot Of advertising to be
done by the District of property in arrears for
| special assessments, and the board decided to
J. give IL out in three batches the first to the
| star. the second to the Post and the third to
| Tue CRITIC. After the Star had printed the
| first batch, Mr. r. Il. Moves OF the Star came
| into his office and said he had heard an absurd
| rumor on the street, which was hardly worth
| denying, TO the effect that the Post was going
TO print some Of the tax list. lie told Mr..
| Moves that tho Post had already received the
| advertisement aud there was nothing absurd
about IT, Mr.. Noyes claimed that he had
promised It all to the Star, and witness told
| him that II would have been impossible for
him TO do so, because the board had previously
| decided to divide II as described. When Mr..
| Noyes was leaving he sald "This viii not be
| the last Of itn
Subsequently letter was received from Mr..
s. IL. kaufman, claiming for the Star all Of
the District advertising. Mr.. kaufman In his
| letter said: "That, taking into account char
ncter and extent Of circulation (Which alone
! form the true measure OF value In securing
| publicity the rates of advertising In the Star
are not half as high as those Of any other daily
paper published here.
'The Star claims, therefore, and insists that
alike on the ground OF properly notifying the
| public in regard to those things, which 1t has
| the unquestioned right to know, and that OF
wisdom aud economy in the expenditure OF
-,
from the office of the District Commissioners
should be published in its columns, whether
| they appear elsewhere or not, and especially is
| this claim urged In regard to tax sale adver-
| tisements or notices to delinquent taxpayers
of the character of those now In course of pub
| lication In another paper"
| COMMISSIONER wEBB's REPLY
In response to this Mr.. Webb wrote the fol-
lowing reply:
SEPTEMBER Z.
S. IT. Kaufman, Esq, President Ereniug Star
| Newspaper Company;
| DEAR SIM Your favor of July has re-
| mained unanswered because OF absence from
the city, and because have, at no time since
| its receipt, been In condition TO make such a
| reply as | feel Ii merits and | must be ex-
| cused now If fail to meet some OF the points
to which you direct attention.
feel sure that Nh. Noyes has interpreted into
positive promise on the part OF my colleague
| what was meant simply as an expression OF the
conclusion reached by the Board Of Com mis-
sioners, which was to divide rs fairly as could
be done the advertising of the tax sales among
the several newspapers Of the city.
| think your letter proceeds upon an errone'
| Gus estimate of the duties of the Commission
| ers with respect TO the advertisement OF sales
fort Nothingin the law contemplates such
| an advertisement as shall have for its chief OBJ
Iect the procuring Of the largest attendance o1
| bidders at such sale.
The main purpose Of the advertisement is tc
give notice to deinQuents so that thoys may
have an opportunity to redeem their property
| before sale. You will perceive that the pres
ent law with respect TO general taxes doessuot
require any advertisement OF the tax sale al
all; 1t provides for the publication OF tax ar
rearages In a pamphlet, the number OF whicl
is limited, and the distribution OF that pam
phlet to all persons interested. And none o
the laws regulating tax sales make nny specia
provision with regard to the method Of the ad
vertisement of tax sales, but simply provide
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, II can make no difference in the
principle OF the thing that the Etening Sta,
has the largest circulation IN the District
don't need any proof Of that fact, and II 4
were in my opinion of the importance that yol
give it, could agree with you that all sale;
should be made In your paper am also fret
to admit all you say touching the character o
the Star and OF its circulation, aud cheerful!
admit all the strength that belongs to suct
characteristics.
But do not think that the law expressl.
or by implication requires the advertisement
of sales TO be in tue newspaper having tn
largest issue or possessing the other qualifca
tons referred to, and In the nature OF things
don't see why 1t should.
In this matter the Commissioners ar
striving TO do what they think is fair to all
without Partially of any kind, aud II seems
me that IN SO doing they are doing right.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM b. WEBB,
President Board OF Commissioners, ID. G.