The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-08

''The plan Of Maj. Judson for managing
the finances OF the District is not only
fine illustration OF engineering ability. but
il amounts to a stroke OF financial ge-
niusn
IT. these words William F. Mattingly
characterized the work of the Engineer
Commissioner in moving vote of
thanks at the meeting of the Board OF
Trade last night 20 the author OF the bin.
who was present and had explained its
features 10 the members.
The Judson plan OF managing the mu-
nieipal finances for the next twelve years
was the order of business at the special
meeting of the Board Of Trade last night
The report Of the committee on finance
was presented last week at the regular
meeting of the body. The lateness OF the
hour precluded its proper consideration.
and the meeting last night was set apart
specially for the purpose.
Col. TruesdeII Explains Plan.
Col George Truesdell. chairman OF the
COMMITTEES. who presented the report,
made a long statement in defense OF its
adoption In this statement, Col Trues-
dell reviewed District history, legislation,
and the policy Of Congress since the pass
age Of the organic act in 1873 He showed
what mad been accomplished and what
might be hoped for under tina policy of
Congress, which that body has adopted
and adhered 10 through the years OF mu-
nicipal activity. since the abrogatIon OF
faa xfoT Fr.vr. r,F ~
Col Truesdell showed that bond issue
was hopeless He showed that the
drifting policy which had piled up a
floating Indebtedness Of about S4O0o.0O0
was tantamount TO an intolerable condi-
ton, as it could not be predicted when
Congress might call upon the District to
pay the debt and cripple its revenue for
current needs.
The Judson plan was explained and
shown TO be simple, feasible arrange
ment to dispose OF a troublesome mat
ter, simply between now and 1923, by the
payment OF the funded debt and the
floating debt. In small installments.
through a period OF twelve years. Fur
thermore. It was shown that the plan
also provides for current needs, as we'll
as for reasonable amount yearly, for
large expenditures on extraordinary i'm
provement. beginning with something
over 100000 in 1911 and increasing year
by year as larger revenues should be
come available
Sets Forth Financial Facts.
a good part Of Col Truesdelrs speech
was devoted 70 a statistical statement OF
the probable income for the next twelve
years, in the effort TO prove that the plan
proposed in the bill drafted by Maj Jud-
son would meet the issue.
Maj. Judson was present by the invita-
ton Of the board and made a short ad-
dress explaining the plan. He pointed
out that the important feature was the
enumeration of the extraordinary i'm
provements and placing them in the cate
cory or adopted plans TO be considered
In future only by the appropriations COM
mittees OF the two houses OF Congress
Maj. Judson showed that the bill would
stop the advance OF money by the United
States and the consequent enlargement
Of the floating debt It provided for all
the needs Of the municipality and also
for wiping out the present Indebtedness
by 1923. Mai JudsOn's statement was
brief, but so clear as to carry conviction
and after answering a few questions
raised by the members the adoption OF
the report was put to vote and carried
unanimously.
Efforts to Amend Fail.
One or two efforts to amend the report
were unsuccessful, that clause Of the "a.
port referring to the Improvement of the
Anacostia River being eliminated at the
suggestion OF the Engineer Commissioner
The report was discussed by John J.
Weaver. c. c. Lancaster. NJ. I. Weller.
and Theodore ". Noyes.
After the adoption of the report NJ
the committee, votes Of thanks were ex-
tended to Col, Truesdeu and his COM
mittee and to Maj. Judson for their re-
spective labors in behalf of the measure
Before the report Of the finance com
mittee was taken un two items in thA
report Of the committee on parks ana
reservations, presented at the last Yaeet- |
ing by Judge Charles Bundy. wera .or-
sidered ard voted down. They were with !
reference to the care OF the parkgngs in
front or houses by the District and the |
proposed purchase Of the Carpenter tract
in the suburbs OF Southeast Washington
for park purposes.
a verbal report, presented by Adds I. |
Browne, on the teachers retirement hin
indorslng the measure. was adopted. A
motion presented by Mr.. Kern, referring
the matter or the refusal OF wholesale
groeers to sell supplies under certain
conditions. WAS also adopted.
Directors Hold Meeting.
At the regular meeting of the board OF
directors yesterday several Important
matters were disposed Of
A communication was received from P. !