Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-06
APPROVE OF THE PLAN
Commissioners Want Building
Office Investigated.
ASK A THOROUGH INQUIRY
Think the Matter Should Be Finally
Determined.
RIGHT TO SUMMON WITNESSES
Persons Making Charges Should Be
Compelled to Come Out
Into the Open
RIGHT TO SUMMON WITNESSES

The District Commissioners today in
dorsed the suggestion of President Roose-
welt and Commissioner Neill that Con-
gress provide for the appointment of a
commission, with power to summon wit
nesses and administer oaths, to investi-
gate the building department of the Dis
trict. They desire that the Investigation
of the Office be as thorough as possible.
All the light to be obtained on the opera
tons OF the office, they maintain. should
to whether or not its administration is
efficient.
The building Inspector and his assist
ants, it is remarked are entitled in all
fairness to be faced by the accusers.
Mr.. Macfarland's Comment.
Commenting on the Presidents message
to Congress Commissioner Macfarland
said:
''I trust Congress will provide for the
special commission to investigate the
building inspectors Office. as recommend
ed by the President, as the result Of the
inquiry made by Commissioner NeilI.
THE District Commissioners are very
Assirous to have the matter thoroughly
examined and finally determined. There
fore they recommended to the President
that the inquiry be made. believing that
under all the circumstances it was neces-
sary. Certainly. the building inspector
and his assistants are entitled to know
who their accuserS are, and what their
charges are, and to have the opportunity
to meet them.
MI. West Gives Views.
When I learned that Commissioner
Neill was handicapped in his inquiry by
inability to summon witnesses and OBJ
tain testimony under OATH" Commission
er West said. Il suggested to him that
the power to subpoena witnesses and
compel attendance was vested by law in
the Commissioners, and that I was GER
tain the Commissioners would exercise
this authority In assisting him in the in
vestigation if he so desired, although, at
the same time. l explained to him that l
thought an investigation made entirely
outside of the Commissioners Office might
be better method of procedure. l am
glad that DR.. Neill has brought the mat
ter to the attention of the President, and
/ hope that the special commission will
be appointed and that it will be as thor
ough as possible.
IF there are charges or insinuations of
improper conduct or dishonesty the per-
sons making those charges should be
compelled TO come out into the open, and
either substantate their assertions or
suffer the penalty for circulating false
reports.
SO far as I am concerned, the pro-
posed inquiry cannot be undertaken too
promptly"
Statement by Maj. Cosby.
Engineer Commissioner Cosby takes
similar view of the plan proposed by
Commissioner Neill.
II certainly hope Congress will make
provisions for the appointment of the
commission" he said. No one is more
interested in knowing the real conditions
in the building inspectors office than the
District Commissioners, and this plan will
give them that information.
THE Commissioners want to know if
there is anything wrong in that depart
ment, so that we can put our finger on
the sore spot and cure II. If the depart
meR is all right we also want to know
it SO we can continue the work with as
surance.
I'VE hope. however. that the appoint
ment of this commission will not interfere
with the passage of some Senate amend
ments providing for more men in the
building department. 1t is well known
that the building inspectors force is in
adequate because SO much work has been
recently put on his shoulders
The President's message and Com
be found elsewhere In The Star.