Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-08

of the local government are striving to
make Washington the ideal city Of Amer
lea.
The Parkview Citizens Association
elected its delegate to the Federation OF
Citizens Association and the North
extended debate relative to adopting an
important amendment to it's constitution.
The Randle Highlands Association trans
acted routine business
Answer to Criticisms.
In his address before the Georgetown
Citizens Association, Engineer Commits
sioner Judson took occasion to answer
criticisms that have been aimed at him
recently in his official capacity. His re-
marks were straight from the shoulder
and there was no mincing of words.
The Commissioner complimented the
association upon the conservative manner
In which recommendations for Georgetown
improvements are submitted. He described
them as invariably modest and forwarded
to the board Of Commissioners only after
the equity of the requests had been care
fully considered When the Commissioner
finished his address the association ten
dered him a vote Of thanks at the sug-
gestion Of Albion X. Paris, its presi-
dent.
IT am frank to admit that believe the
Engineer Commissioner ifs more thorough
ly in harmony with Washington and the
things Of Washington than any Engineer
Commissioner we have ever had" Mr..
Paris said "He fully appreciates our
natural advantages and the place that the
city must assume as the seat of the
national government
Following the Engineer Commissioner
address the members of the association
were presented to their guest by Mr. Par
ris and members of the associations ex-
ecutive committee. An elaborate buffet
luncheon followed. Before adjournment
Col. Henry Blount, one Of the older men,
bers OF the association, proposed that the
name Of John Howard Payne be given to
the Montrose tract In the event it 10 pur-
chased as q site for a Georgetown park
John Howard Payne, Col Blount said. won
international fame as the author of
Home, Sweet Home" His remains are
buried In Oak Hill cemetery, In close
proximity to the proposed park site.
How Commissioners Work.
Maj Judson said:
I'VE have many public hearings in the
District building at which all interested
parties, except the Commissioners, have
opportunity to express their views and
to uphold the same by spoken and written
argument. Upon the stump in other COM
munities. but not here, members of the
local government may advocate measures
and explain their position
IF Commissioners of the District Of
| Columbia be modest men, not specially
seeking the limelight Of newspaper pub
! licity and too busy with District work or
too little possessed of the gift Of elo-
| quence often to address their fellow citf-
zens, it might readily happen that their
purposes. policies and principles would
remain unknown. Perhaps the Commits
sioners should seek opportunity to lay
/ these before the community.
1T is the purpose of this board of
4 u. I'll
| Columbia an administration based upon
/ the laws ef Congress. and, so far as
/ possible in administering these laws, to
! make Washington the great federal city.
! I'm dealing with individuals and inter-
| ests within the District we endeavor to
| drive from our minds every consideration
| except as to what is just and right.
No Partially Is Shown.
1--WE extend no special favors When
| any individual seeks a decision that is
| more favorable to himself than the law
| intends, it is refused. When he seeks a
| decision more favorable than some regu-
lation of the Commissioners. on a fair
/ Interpretation, admits. consideration is
| given as to whether such regulation
| should be changed so that all may re-
! ceive exactly the same treatment where
| the conditions are the same. No indi-
! vidual can secure an Interpretation more
| favorable than another.
| I'm filling any position in the District
| service we have but one end in view, to
/ secure the best man that can be obtained
| for that position. We give consideration
| TO nothing but relative merit in making
promotions and appointments
F., No list of public improvements to be
| made or recommended Is prepared as the
result of any log-rolling process, where
by such list would become what is known
as a pork barrel The Commissioners
know no northeast. northwest, southeas,
or southwest section. The relative i'm
Iportance of all proposed improvements
is carefully weighed. and lists are pre-.
pared strictly in accordance Herewith.
The work of the District government,
Is now of such volume that the Commits
sioners cannot give personal attention tc
every detail of il. Much initiative must
be left to subordinates, as in any bust.
ness of like dimensions. Some citizens
cannot understand this, and the neces
sity for the orderly conduct of business
but too frequently expect the adverse
action of department heads to be over
ruled on appeals personally made to tbs
Commissioners
Impartiality Demanded.
/