The Washington herald., 1910-11-08

In a speech that was punctuated time
and again with hearty applause. Maj
W V. Judson, Engineer Commissioner of
the District told seyenty-hve representa-
tive citizens OF Georgetown last night in
just what light he regarded their requests
for improvements. He did not mince
words and talked straight from the
shoulder to his audience. which was COM
posed OF members OF the Georgetown
Citizens Association. whose special guest
he was
The Commissioner told them that their
estimates for improvements and for the
beautiiication OF certain sections were
particularly modest. and had evidently
been submitted only after much thought
and consideration by the different stand
Ing committees which had the affairs in
hand.
When 1t comes to asking Congress for
money 10 be used in improving the city"
the major laughingly said. 7 am sup
posed TO be unusually backward; I might
say, / am called stingy, but / assure
YOU that there isn't parsimonious bone
in my body or in the body OF my col.
leagues
May Advocate Measures.
Continuing Mai Judson said:
We have many public hearings In the
District Building at which all Interested
parties, except the Commissioners. have
opportunity to express their views and 10
uphold the same By spoken and written
argument. Upon the stump in other COM
nunities. but not here, members Of the
local government may advocate measures
and explain their position.
IF the Commissioners Of the District
OF Columbia be modest men, not spe-
cially seeking the lime-light of newspaper
publicity and too busy with District work
or too little possessed OF the gift OF
sloquence often 10 address their fellow
citizens, il might readily happen that
their purposes. policies. and PRINCIPLES
would remain unknown. Perhaps the
Commissioners should seek opportunity 10
lay these before the community
1T is the purpose OF this board Of Com
missioners TO give 10 the District of
Columbia an administration based upon
the laws Of Congress. and. so far as pos
sible in administering these laws, TO make
Washington the great Federal city.
In dealing with individuals and inter
ests within the District we endeavor
TO drive from our minds every consider
alton except as to what is just and right
We extend no special favors When
any individual seeks a decision that is
more favorable 10 himself than the law
Intends. il is refused. When he seeks
a decision more favorable than some. reg
<ulation OF the Commissioners. on a fair
Interpretation, admits, consideration is
given as 10 whether such regulation
should be changed so that all NAV re-
Ceive exactly the same treatment where
the conditions are the same. No individ-
uat can secure an Interpretation more
favorable than another.
Relative Merit Counts.
'In filling any position in the District
service We have but one end In view.
10 secure the best man that can be OBJ
tanned for that position. We give con-
sideration 10 nothing but relative merit
in making promotions and appointments.
mo list of public improvements 10 be
made or recommended IS prepared as the
result Of any log-rolling process. whereby
such list would become what is known
as a pork barrel The Commissioners
know no northeast. northwest. southeast.
or southwest section. The relative i'm
portance 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 to
every detail OF IT, Much initiative must
be left 10 subOrdinates, as in any busi-
ness OF like dimensions. Some citizens
cannot understand this and the neees-
sity for the orderly conduct of business,
but too frequently expect the adverse ac-
tion OF department heads to be over
ruled on appeals personally made 10 the
Commissioners.
I'VE demand OF cur subordinates not
only honesty and efficiency. but absolute
impartiality. We stand ready to insure
that our subordinates to remain in Office,
shall possess these qualities, but. possess
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