The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-06
IndOrse RoOsevelt's Sugges-
ton for Investigation of
AShford's Office.
WANT THE INQUIRY
BEGUN AT ONCE
Cosby Also Expresses Approval of
the ReCommendation-Due
TO Officials.

President RooseveIts suggestion that
special commission be appointed by
Congress to Investigate the building de-
partment Of ne District meets with the
decided approval Of Commissioners
Macfarland and West, who expressed
themselves today as anxious that the
investigation shall begin as promptly
as possible.
II trust Congress win provide for the
special commission to Investigate the
Building Inspectors Office as recon-
mended by the President as the result
of Commissioner Neils Investigation"
said Commissioner MacfarIand. THE
District Commissioners are very desir-
Ous TO have the matter thoroughly ex-
amined and finally determined. There
fore they recommended TO the Presi-
dent that the inquiry Dg made, belieV-
ing that under all the circumstances 1t
was necessary Certainly, the Build
Inspector and his assistants are entitled
20 know who their accuseTs are and
what their charges are and 10 have the
opportunity TO meet them
Vests Views.
when / learned chat Commissioner
NELL was handicapped ia his inquiry by
inability TO summon witnesses and OBJ
tain testimony under 0a -h, said Com
that the power to subpoena witnesses
and compel witnesses WIS vested 10y
law IN the Commissioners and that I
was certain the Commissioners would
exercise this authority ia assisting him
In the Investigation, if he so desired, al
though. at the same tine, I explained
% him that Z thought an investigation
made entirely outside of the COmmis-
of procedure / am glad that Dr. Nei1
has brought the matter 20 Zhe attention
of the President. and I hope thaC the
special commission will be appointed,
and that IL viii be as thorough as pos
"If there are any charges or insinua-
lions OF improper conduct or dlsAOuesJys
The persons making those charges
should be compelled 20 come out mo
me omen. and etuer subsJanUate their
assertions or suffer the penalty or CIR
CuIatiug false reports.
$50 far as ] am concerned the pIO-
posed inquiry cannot be undertaken 100
pro mptly.'
Cosby Approves
Engineer Commissioner Cosby who has
supervision Of the building department
also EXPRESSED his approval OF the
Presidents commentators III there
is anything wrong IN the office or the
Building Inspector. the Commissioners
are. 0f course. anxious TO know or II
SO that the conditions may be cor
rected," said Major Cosby
OF on the other hand. the allegations
made against the depa rIuent are with
ogt foundation, the officials connected
Herewith are entitled TO vindicaron-
The department Is uuquesIOnably
hampered By the lack of an adequate
force and / hope the Senate amend
ments 10 the District appropriation l.lll- plI
providing for an increase ~ the mum
Der of the employees VIII be included IN
the measure
Urge Investigation.
President Roosevelt, Ia q special mes
aapa TO Congress. has recommended that
Congress authorize the appointment Of
a sueciaI commission TO make thorough
Investigation OF the District Building
Tnsnectfon Department. The President
asks an appropriation of $500 for the
purpose.
TEe President sent to Congress. along
with the message. a letter from the
Commissioner Of Labor, Dr. Nells and
SnacIaI agent Victor S. Clark, Of the
Rrreau of Labor. This letter relates 10
rhe inquiry they have made into JAe OF
flee of the building inspector. IL SHOWS
that they have not been t-ble 70 PROV "
+ra charges AGAINST the Building In
suectiUu Department FuFl4tI IMAM -i-tS'
the President has sent 10 congress th-
tracts from the verdict OF the coroner D
ury I'm the case OF the dea.h or Ray
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