Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-19

campaigns upon high principles with
clean and unselfish candidates"
Praised by Opponent.
Even the New York Evening Post,
which is very difficult to satisfy in any
way, speaks in the most complimentary
manner of Mayor Gaynor's appointments,
and says that, las he proceeds with his
selections for important Offices, he raises
his previous high level anything. His
selections are all admirable. He has
sought character, expert knowledge and
administrative capacity, and has let all
the rest go. Mayor Gaynor has not only
gone outside OF Tammany, but has gone
to a range of ideas about municipal gov
eminent which Tammany cannot under
stand. We shall have At least four
year trial of heads of departments skill
ed and ambitious only to fix standard
of administration which the citizens will
heartily approve. and from which they
will allow no backsliding in the future.
Mayor Craynor deserves the fullest recOg-
milton for what he has done and for what
he is trying to do. Those who opposed
his election will be the first to applaud
and support him i'm every effort he makes
to make the city worthy of him.
The mayor has also taken very nigh
ground in regard to finances taxation and
the disbursement Of public money. and
has given notice to his appointees that the
waste and extravaganza and the loose
conducted must be stopped at once. For
example, he refers to the water supply,
and expresses his wonder that a waste
which would not be tolerated In private
business is regarded as quite the Gus
tomary thing. He has announced that
the problem of waste in the public service
will be the oneo thing TO which ne VIII
devote his immediate attention and that
so far as he can control 1t through his
power over the city department II Will
claim his time and energy
For Honest Valuations.
The other day when the city tax books
published he summoned his new tax
commissioners and the members OF the
board of estimates to hear a lecture on
political influence in assessments and tax
alton undervaluations. corruption and
poses to correct.
Il had determined not to reappoint two
of you,' he said, but on careful con-
sideration 1 felt that justice required me
to give you an opportunity, and every
thing has to yield to justice. You have
each been informed of my main purpose.
have selected you to make the valua-
the entire city. The law requires fair
sale value to be adopted. Establish a
basis and then make 1t uniform.
Favor no one. and see that your depu-
love or money. If political leaders come
asking for favors In valuations. tell them
to go away; that that day has gone by.
Politics must be banished from your de-
partment. Let every deputy who sets
down a manifestly wrong valuation be
a
trial, but only to an opportunity to make
an explanation. The sooner they are
brought to realize this the better. 1t is
doubtful if they ought to be in the COM
duties are not formal, but require the
constant exercise of judgment and discre-
ton.
Try to find out some owner trying to
corrupt deputy. and we will have him
indicted. No meaner person exists than
one capable of trying to get rid of some
part Of his taxes by throwing it on his
neighbor. No jury would spare him"
Judge Gaynor looks little like Richard
Croker, being few inches taller. and he
has the same heavy jaw, which denotes
firmness of character and determination.
He is also a reticent man, and, like
Croker, always speaks in low tone.
He is never demonstrative, but Is abb
solutely .unemotional and utters MS most
serious and forcible expressions in low
monotone. without emphasis. He is not
cordial to strangers. and does not offer
them his hand. At the same time he is
not rude or even impOlite. He looks a
visitor squareIy in the eye and remains
silent and attentive until the visitor has
explained his business, and gives his an
swer quietly in few words. He states a
proposition clearly and succinctly, and has
a judicial way of expressing an opinion,
which he acquired on the bench. Al
though American born. there is a slight
burr in his speech which suggests the
north of Ireland. He is not an agreeable
man; he is not mixer; but he is fond
of dogs and children. and has a family
of eight little ones to whom he is de-
voted