Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-02

Tindall, facing Mr. West.
Il do" subscribed Mr.. West.
The signing of the written oath fol-
lowed
Corporation Counsels Eulogy.
Corporation Counsel Thomas introduced
by Secretary Pratt, extended the, con-
CALCULATIONS Of employees of all depart
ments Of the District government
Commissioner West,'' he began. 81
have been deputized to extend the con-
CALCULATIONS of the departments under
your charge and of the officers and en-
pioyes of this District, and to express
our pleasure on your third nomination
and confirmation as Commissioner of this
District.
The President, who is fully informed
of the needs of this community, skilled in
municipal affairs, advised Of your eff
cient administration and the municipal
gurated, has again summoned you for
public duty. The confidence of the Presi-
dent has been ratified by your immediate
confirmation by the Senate at this time
when political reasons might have post
poned consideration. These things give
additional honor to the event.
The office of Commissioner of the Dis
trict of Columbia is honorable and i'm
portant worthy the ambition Of the FORE
most citizen, not because OF its emolu-
ments, which are insufficient to support
the dignity of the office, but because it's
administration calls for firmness of char
acter. discrimination, poise and athletic
intellectually.
District Government Distinguished.
This is the capital of the United
States. Its laws are made by the national
legislature, which comprises the best
ability of the people of the whole coun-
try, and the administration of the local
government Is open to the gaze of the
nation.
The Commissioners, as executive Off
GERS, have the Congress of the United
States for their common council. and a
constituency comprising the President, the
high officials Of the national government
and citizenship above the average Of
most communities. In 1880 Judge Story
said:
LIT must have been obvious that, as
Congress must forever have an interest
to protect and aid the city. 1t would for
this very purpose be most impoHtic to
lay any distractions to the most free ex-
ercise of its power over it. The city was
designed to last in perpetuity-capitol!
immosil saxum. No human foresight
could take in the great variety of events
which might render great changes in
plan, form and location of the city in
dispensable for the health. the comfort
and the prosperity of the city
THE seventy-nine years which have
since elapsed have worked great changes.
The city Is moving toward the boundary
Of the District, and for thirty years the
District has been more economically and
successfully governed than ever before
in It's history. Within your term of office
the municipal government of the District
has been put on a scientific basis largely
through your efforts.
Accomplishments of West.
1T is now known, through the reforms
you have instituted. at the end of every
business day the exact amounts received
and disbursed in the financial depart
ments of the District; the precise sum
each day to it's credit in the treasury of
the United States is known; the police de-
partment has been reorganiZed; negIi-
gence in the administration Of the Wash
ington Asylum corrected: the audit sys-
tenn centralized, so that it has a check on
every receipt and expenditure; the pur-
chase of supplies is no longer made in
the open market, but only after competi-
tive bidding; effective automobile and
taxicab regulations have been made and
are being enforced. and all District con-
tracts by your orders have been placed
under the control of a supervisory board.
These are only few of the reforms
The citizen is now notified of any mad
vertence which has led to failure to pay
taxes. by no0ee given before every tax
sale to every owner and soon we hope to
see you realize the modern and thorough
ly equipped bathing beach which you are
trying to establish.
1--WE who are under you directly assure
you Of our loyalty and our aid in carry
ing out all your improvements for the
benefit Of the people and the public serv-
ice and all extend hearty good will and
best wishes for your continued success as
Commissioner Of the District
Commissioner Vests Response.
In replying Commissioner West spoke
with much evident feeling.
Il desire to express my sincere appre-
citation of the thoughtfulness and friendly
spirit which has led you to participate in
the simple ceremonies this afternoon he
began. ESPECIALLY do I appreciate the.
commentator which Mr.. Thomas, acting
as spokesman, has seen fit to bestow upon
me.
Let me Say. however. that if during
the two terms which it has been my honor
and Dr. vilege to serve as one of the Conn
missioners of the District of Columbia
anything has been accomplished In the
way of improvement these results have
been due to the earnest, loyal and sym
pathetic support which you have given
because / have had the wisdom to see
that the suggestions which you have made
and which it has been my pleasure to
adopt were wise and valuable.
1T SO happened that in the assignment
of duties devolving upon me when / be-
came Commissioner the bureaus which
had to do with the business administra-
ton of the District were intrusted to my