The Washington times., 1911-07-02
JUDSON SAYS HUB
REFORMS SHOULD
Be ADOPTED HERE
Commissioner Much I'M
pressed With BoSton's Mu-
nicipal Administration.

Consolidation of the street railway
companies under one system, the saw.
ing Qs thousands of dollars annually by
placing clocks on gas lamps and othel
rebrms in municipal administration
which were observed by Commissioner
Judson on his recent visit to Boston,
have brought up for consideration the
adoption of similar measures here.
While in Boston Commissioner Judson
had several conferences with state and
city officials.
"One measure in which was particu-
larly interested" said the major today,
was a bill sent to the Legislature by
the governor providing for the consoli-
dation Of the two street railway COM
panies. 1t would be well If we could
get consolidation here. Boston has a
universal transfer system, but aside
from this, other advantages would ao-
crue to the public. The cost of opera
ton would be decreased from to 10
per cent With the placing Of trans-
portation facilities under one manage
ment and under the control of a public
utilities commission, which the Com
missioners are urging. undoubtedly the
result would be a vastly improved ser
vice.
Gas Clocks
For the improvement of the lighting
system Boston has a scheme which may
we'll be used to advantage in Wash
irgton. Clocks are placed on the gas
lamps by which the gas is lighted and
extinguished automatically, and at the
same time all over the city. The esu-
mated saving on each lamp is $3.50
year, which in Washington would re-
suit in a total saving approximately
$4,000 annually. l am inquiring care
fully into the details of the plan with
the view of it's adoption.
'One idea in the school system at
tracted me. The city is building a
large business high4 school in which will
be located the administrative offices Of
the public school Pupils in attendance
will be brought into contact with the
ways Of transacting business and given
a practical understanding of business,
auditorial and statistical matters IN
connection with schools
Boston has a city planning commits
sion, under which plans are made for
the improvement of the park system,
highways, and all which tends to the
Identification of the city. The COM
mission is permanent organization. IN
this respect it is unlike our Mcmillan
tions for park system have not yet
been carried out.
Far Behind Here.
1T is sad to think that the city in
which the idea of a city planning COM
mission originated is now so far behind
many other cities in this respect.
In Boston, street spaces used for pri-
vate purposes are hereafter to be paid
for. In Washington acres of public
spaces are occupied for private pur-
poses without compensation to the pub
lie
I'm one direction Boston is not ahead
of Washington. l visited the prison
camp, which is conducted on the same
plan as the workhouse at Occouuan
Instead of confining men in the struc-
lures Of brick and steel, they are housed
in light, airy, and frame structures, a
change from the old order of things,
which experience both here and in Bos-
ton has proved to be most beneficial
not only to the prisoners themselves
but to the community at large Expert
penologists in Boston believe that the
system should replace all others
In order to carry into effect the i'm
provements under consideration some Ie-
gal action will be necessary, II is un-
derstood, and may be requested by the
Commissioners at the next session of
Congress