The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-04
Refusal of Business Men TO
Put Complaints Into At
fdaVitS the Cause.
PRESIDENT CONFERS
WITH COMMISSIONER
Long-Mooted Question About the
Building Department Still IN
settled-RepOrt in Soon.

It is s ated on highest authority
that the Presidents attempt TO probe
the alleged abuses in the District
Building Inspectors Cmces along the
lines which the Chief Executive di-
rected Commissioner Of Labor Charles
p. Neiu to proceed, has absolutely
failed.
The failure is due entirely. it is
said, 70 Commissioner NeilIs inability
20 get certain prominent Washington
business and professional men who
have, cOnddenuaaly acquainted him
with circumstances Of alleged incom-
potency and official abuses IN Inspec-
tor Ashford's Office, to come forward
with ahdavits
Commissioner Ne IFS tnformants are
said 10 have pointed our instances Of
official misconduct and an utter lack
OF businesslike methods, but when he
has requested them to put their
Knowledge in writing in not a single
case have they been willing to appear
publicly as compIainants against the
Building Department.
rms, therefore has made an investi-
kduon that promised al the outset to
determine positively and satisfactorily
long mooted local quesuOn-Whether
or not, as has been SO frequently de-
clared, the Capitals Building Depart
men was being conducted unWisely and
lhcompeLenTly-an absolutely fruitless
task.
COnfers With President.
Commissioner Neu called at the
White House today and went over the
situation with the President. What
passed between them Commissioner
NeilI declined 20 say. but It is definitely
Known that the investigation, along the
lines which the President proposed TO
Ar. Neil in q letter some time ago.
has come 70 an abrupt halt ANY future
action has been left to the President
20 determine.
III Is certain, hOWeyev. that To make
q probe effective, some method of COM
pelIuE witnesses TO testify must be- de
Nls-d. The President. il is understood.
VIII ask advice before he proceeds far
Jher. lie is reluctant 20 let the matter
drop, luasmuch as he thinks some Of
me complaints against the admin.stra-
ton OF the District Building DEPART
ment may be Wel founded.
At tbs outset OF his investigation
Commissioner Neil felt assured that
he could proceed without difficulty. but
ne was soon convinced that all would
not be smooth sailing
Afhdavits Refused.
He talked personally with several
local men OF excellent standing, and
from them received ample evidence of
bad administration, IL is said, but when
be requested afddavIts he was con-
1rontea with retusaI5. He persisted.
but when his lufOrmauts insisted that
their names be withheld the COumia-
siOnCT realized the helpIessuess of his
task. He then decided 10 lay the mat
ter before the President and did so to-
day.
The Commissioner report viii be in
the hands Of the President probably to-
morrow or SATURDAY and its contents
viii disclose 20 the public just what
obstacles he has met Eith i'm the con-
duct Of his Investigation.
While che President feels keenLv the
failure of his plan, he IS NOT without
appreciation for Commissioner NeuIs
services, and realizes the fun extent OF
the difficulty under which the inyesti-
gator labOred. Whether there VIII 8a
another Investigation IS left to con-
lecture but III is thought that the
President. when he receives Commls-
siOner NeilIs report win append ls lt
suggestions that may aid materially iu
bginEiuE the matter to a. focus.