The Washington times., 1910-11-08
Tells Georgetown Citizens
Association Welfare of
City Is Their Aim.
PORK BARREL ABSENT
IN THE CAPITAL CITY
Says There Is No Such Thing as
Logrolling, and That Only
Merit Counts.

The purposes policies and principles
OF the District Commissioners was the
subject Of an address made last night
by Engineer Commissioner W. V. Jud
son 10 the Georgetown Citizens Asso-
citation in the lodge room in Potomac
Savings Bank Building at NJ street and
Wisconsin avenue northwest.
Major JudsOn. who was present by
special invitation of the association,
said that at the many public hearings
held in the District Building all inter
osted parties except the Commissioners
had opportunity to express their views
and THAI for that reason the Commits
sioners' purposes. policies, and pTinCi-
pics often remained so unknown.
It was their object, he said, to give to
the District Of Columbia an administra-
ton based upon the laws of Congress,
and. so. far as possible, in administering
these laws, to make Washington the
great Federal City.
Explains System.
In dealing with individuals and in
terests within the District" said Major
Judson, ave endeavor to drive from our
minds every consideration except what
IS Just and right In filing 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 n making promotions and
appointments.
NO list Of public improvements to be
made or recommended is prepared as
the result Of any logrolling process,
whereby such list would become what
IS known as pork barrel The Com
mlssloners know no northeast. north
west, southeast, or southwest section.
The relative Importance of all pro-
posed Improvements is carefully weigh
ed and lists are prepared strictly in
accordance herewith"
The volume Of tie business of the
District is now so large, Major hudson
continued, that the Commissioners. could
not give personal attention 10 e,-erZ,
detaii Of II, and necessarily left much
lnluatlVe TO SubOrdinates Some citi-
zenSi lie said, did not understand this
Dut 100 frequently expected the adverse
action of department heads 10 be over
ruled on appeals made personally TO the
Commissioners.
Impartiality Urged.
I'VE demand Of our subordinates not
only honesty and efficiency, but abso-
lutte impartiality," Major Judson said
We stand ready to insure that our sub
ordinates, 70 remain in office, shall
possess these qualities, but, possessing
them, shall be supported and sustain
ed IN dealing with the many exceedingly
perplexing problems which arise, where
IN private interests conflict with each
other, or with the public interest. %
Economy is sought in every branch
OF the commissioners administration,
said the Engineer Commissioner. but il
e hH wolf Faa rNE r.e.aHa-
every proper municipal function should
be performed at least as thOrOUghIy
here as in other American cities He
SAID the authorities seek to provide
generously 'iI lor every purpose that
would, In the end, either promote econ
omles or obtain permanent results that
would improve Washington.
The check on extravaganza in other
cues. where the taxpayers know that in
the long run their taxes must equal the
sum of all expenditures, Major Judson
said, Is lacking in the District Of Co.
iumbia. where taxes are levied at a rate
definitely fixed by law Extravaganza.
unethical and unwEss in the genera i
case, would, If practiced in the District.
but delay the day when Washington will
be a complete and admirable CITY. prob-
erly performing its function as the Ma
tiOnal Capital
Economy the Slogan.
In other words, he explained. the
Commissioners practice economy, not as
a boarding process, but so that they
may more quickly secure the accom-
plshment of the many great and ex-
pensive improvements that cry out to
be dOaa
The Commissioners emphasized the
Federal interest not only when they
We're seeking 10 raise money. said Major
EadSon, but when they were expending
u, since II is by reason Of the Federal
interest here that the Federal Govern
ment IS the largest contributor TO the
revenues Of the District, and because,
too, the Commissioners were convinced
that the taxpayers would find that their
interest ran parallel with the Federal
interest.
If this city grows and prospers il
Will be because II is well managed as a
capital city, Major JudsOn declared.
Touching the subject Of taxation of
agricultural lands, the Engineer Com
missioner said that if taxes on them