Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-04
FINANCES HIS THEME |
MAJ. JUDSON'S ADDRESS BE.
FORE SUBURBAN CITIZENS.
Stated Fund for Permanent I'm.
provements-C. C. Lanscaster
Endorsed for Office.

An address by Maj. w. v. Judson, En-
gineer Commissioner. on the Districts
finances and the Endorsement of c. c..
Lancaster for District Commissioner
were features of a meeting of the
Northwest Suburban Citizens Asso-
citation last night in Masonic Temple,
Tenleytown. The meeting was largely at
tended, members of other citizens asso-
citation being among those present.
The address of Mai. Judson was con-
fined solely to explaining the financial
plan Of setting aside stated sums Of the
District revenues each year for the pur-
pose of reducing the District debt and
furthering the permanent improvement
plan At the conclusion of his address
Maj. Judson was piled with questions on
District affairs by members OF the asso-
citation. especially the proposed reclama-
ton of the Anacostia flats and the i'm
provement of county roads. The Engi-
neer Commissioners remarks, it was ex-
planned, cleared up many questions on
which the members of the association
were little hazy.
In explaining the reason for the
contemplated legislation, whereby the
revenues of the District may be so
manipulated in the future that large sums
ments, Maj Judson stated it was the
only reasonable and feasible plan which
he thought could be devised.
THE District does not want to borrow
money If 1t can help it, declared the
Engineer Commissioner. Experience has
shown that where a municipality borrows,
say $1OO,0OOOOO, for permanent improve
ments. or anything else, it pays back
something like OO,OOO.0OO or $3OO. 900, 600
for the privilege. Why not save this big
txyba / ri
ly belongs? BY our present plan we hope to
reduce materially the Districts debt, and
in twelve years time perform about So
100000 worth of permanent improve
ments."
District Share of Cost.
In the matter of retaining the Ana
costa flats, Maj. Judson said be believed
1t was only fair that the District pay
for the contemplated improvements above
the navy yard bridge, and that the nation
bear the burden of the improvement cost
below the bridge. The work should be
begun as quickly as possible, he said, but
pursued slowly
The reclamation, I would say, should
cover period of about ten or twelve
years." Maj. Judson said. 1T must
necessarily be slow, on account of the
nature of the work.
During the period when the Engineer
Commissioner answered questions put to
him by members Of the association it de-
veloped that he was heartily in favor of
making the county roads of the District
the finest In the country. Pursuing the
ideal wofk in this direction, he said, was
impossible, however, because Of the enor-
nous expense such improvements would
entail.
But I'm going to do all 1 can. assure
you," he said, for furthering the ends Of
tie District Good Roads Association"
The Endorsement of Mr.. Lancaster.
president of the association. for Commits
sioner was in the form of a resolution in
troduced by DR.. J. w. Chappell.
The resolution provided for the appoint
ment of committee of twenty-five to
call at the White House and urge the ap-
pointment Of Mr.. Lancaster. This COM
mittee, 1t was announced, will be named
in the next few days.
Resolutions regretting the retirement of
II. B. F. mcfarland from the board of
District Commissioners, urging the pas
sage Of q bill by Congress providing uni
versal transfers and condemning the use
Of strong electric headlights by street
cars in congested sections were intro
duced and passed.