Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-25
BEGINS HIS WORK IN EARNEST
NEW ENGINEER COMMISSIONERS
STUDYING NEW DUTIES.
Maj. Judson Sits for the First Time
With Colleagues in
Board Session.

Maj. Will'am v. Judson. the now En-
gineer Commissioner of the District. was
at his desk early this morning and began
at once to take up matters which de-
manded his immediate attention and to
familiarize himself with the organization
Of the engineer department., the affairs Of
which he is to direct.
Il think 1t will take q new Engineer
Commissioner several months to under
stand fully the workings OF his depart
ment. SO that his opinion will have the
proper weight" Maj. Judson remarked.
Maj. Judson is consulting frequently
with Capt. William Kelly and Capt e.
NJ. Markham, the army engineers who are
assistants to the Engineer Commissioner,
and with the chief clerk of the depart
ment, Daniel E. Garges. Mr.. Garges yes
terday afternoon spent long time with
the new official in conference over mat
tiers that came up during the day.
Maj. Judson's first official act was to
sign check for $500 to be used for char
liable purposes. The check represents
the income of the Centennial inaugural
fund, established several years ago. to be
OF the District and is signed by the Dis
trict Commissioners as trustees OF the
fund. The check is drawn in favor Of the
Citizens Relief Association.
Favors Inauguration Day Change.
Maj. Judson expressed himself this
morning as being in favor Of the proposed
change of Inauguration day from March
to the last Thursday in April.
Il have lived in Washington and ]
know something about the usual inaugu-
raj weather" he said. land I think that
by all means the ceremonies should Be
held at a time Of year when good weather
may reasonably be expected"
Maj. JudsOn sat for the first time as
member Of the board of District Commits
sioners in board session this morning at
II O'Clock, when conference was held
with the officials OF the local taxicab
companies regarding reasonable rates to
trict At the conclusion Of the conference
ne talked briefly with his colleagues re-
garding the District government and spe-
cial matters now before 1t.
Capt. James F. Oyster, president Of the
board OF education. was presented to the
new Engineer Commissioner this morning
by Commissioner Mcfarland. AS the pur-
chase of school sites, the erection of new
school buildings and the repairing OF the
old structures are done under the direction
of the Engineer Commissioner. the board
of education officials hold close relations
and hold frequent conferences with him.
It Is. expected that Maj. Judson will have
to take up school matters In the near
passed at the last session of Congress pro-
vides for several new school sites and
buildings and the board of education is
anxious to have the work started as soon
as possible.
Heads Workhouse Commission.
Maj. Judson was today appointed by the
Commissioners chairman OF the commits
sion to take charge Of the preparation OF
plans for the new reformatory and work.
house. for which Congress made the in
i,ial provision in the last District appro-
priation bill He succeeds Maj. Spencer
Cosby. who resigned because of his trans
fer from the engineer commissionership to
other duties. The other members of the
commission are John JOY. Edison and JUS
tice Stafford.
Advertisements for the purchase Of TIVE
widely separated tracts Of land OF 1000
acres each, as sites for the penal institu-
tons have already been inserted in news
papers in this city and neighboring coun.
ties The offers are to be In the hands of
the Commissioners before noon April 10.