Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-27
.JUDSON ON STAND
IN TODAY'S QUIZ

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Continued From First Pa8e.p
have been discounted in the present
price"
Mr.. Douglas said also that perhaps
the real estate ring wanted reouc-
ton In price.
The testimony turned to the cost OF
filed by the builder for $4,000 and
cross-bilI for $4,000 flied by the COM
pany. Col. Judson said the cost would
be 1851 900 plus $4,000 minus s3ooV.
and that these figures entered into the
assessors calculations.
Mr. Douglas began a systematic attack
on Col. Judsons valuation or the Soutn-
ern building. Mr.. Douglas wanted 10
show 1t to be greater and Col Juosoi
less. After argument Col. Judson az
lowed $4,000 to be added as An arch'-
tect's fee and then they dropped into a
long argument over $4,000 said TO nave
been spent by the United States trust
Company. Of which Eldridge Z. JORDAN
is pi esident.
Commissioner Judson answered. quickly;
IF the trust company were to move
out and leave the fixtures in that build
ing that amount should be added In part.
but l understand the trust company has
a special contract which gets them
cheaper rent: and that they nave an
equity In those fixtures.
Mr.. Douglas said. at the end of eonsid-
cradle colloquy. that the building cost
1857 900.
Representative Redfield asked what
would be the effect of bank moving out
of a building and leaving vaults. etc. on
the premises. which would not be used
and would have to be taken out before
another tenant was found. Col. Judson
said there would be a loss.
Mr.. Douglas intimated the Southern
building held a twenty-year lease with
the United States Trust Company.
The case I spoke Of" said Mr.. Red
field, was where a bank had a long
term lease
Col Judson said that he understood
there was a lease. but that ii had liberal
conditions. and that ii might be better to
put the lease in evidence
REIMBURSEMENT Discussed.
Mr.. Douglas asked about the men Sc
lected to reappraise the Southern building
property.
II selected Harold Doyle said Col
Judson, because I believe he is the best
expert in the city. selected W. ID. Hoo
Yer because I know him Well and know
he is of unblemished reputation and has
wide knowledge. / wanted to get the ap-
pointment out of the hands of the super
intendent of insurance. l think his pre-
vious selection was unfortunate. l have
come to place great reliance on Mr.. Hoo
YER.
Mr.. Douglas asked
Before you appointed Mr.. Hoover
didn't you ask him one morning at break
fast what the value of that land was and
he said SD foot?"
Commissioner Judson said he didn't re-
call that Then he said:
II do understand, though. that Mr..
Hopewell Darneille, who was selected by
the Insurance company TO appraise the
building, went to Mr.. Hoover and asked
him about the building and then said
Never mind-I don't want you. You are
too low
Mr.. Z. A. Stellwagens name was
brought in again at this juncture. Mr..
Douglas wanted to find out all about con-
versations between Col. Judson and Mr..
Stellwagen.
Didn't Mr.. Stellwagen suggest the
appointment of Messrs. Doyle and
Hoover"
No
How many times did you talk with
Mr.. Stellwagen?"
II don't know"
approximate. then"
About ten times. ! talked to him
this morning
Thinks Well of Doyle.
Mr.. Doyles name was used frequently.
Col Judson said he had done much
work for the District.
Hes a chronic witness for the Dis
trict?" suggested MIR. Douglas.
well, he is frequent witness"
"And he always depresses valuations?"
No. he doesn't. He makes fair valu-
ations."
Gould and Charles +. Carusi and an
actuary called on Commissioner Judson
to talk about one of the statements in
relation to the insurance companies.
Judson said they had
found no fault with the statement with
What exclaimed Mr.. Douglas. Don't
you remember they challenged nearly
every fact and figure in it?'
Persists in Line of Questions.
Mr.. Douglas persisted in an effort to
learn what part E. A. Stellwagen had
in framing up the Commissioners state
ment of criticisms against the COM
panies. Mr.. Stellwagen had an oppor-
tunity to read if, said Commissioner
Judson.
Mr. Douglas questions all led up to
this:
Don't you know that stellwagen's
firm of Fisher & Co. is in the insurance
business, and don't you know that the
Fire Insurance Company is
playing the deuce here by cutting rates
and worrying the other insurance COM
panies? Are you sure Mr.. Steilwagen'S
interest in the Commercial Fire Insur-
ance Company was not In regard to fire
insurance premiums!
"Oh, no. | regard Mr.. Stellwagen as
above that j regard him as a high
minded man who wants to clean up
business here" replied Col Judson.
The Commissioners statement to the
public. which has never been published,
was questioned by Mr.: Douglas. He
called 1t misleading and inaccurate.
Suggestion of Quiet Method.
Col. Judson said that c. F. Nesbit had
gone to him and suggested that a quiet
method be adopted to smooth the insur
ance trouble.
Mr.. Douglas inquired: Don't you re-
Judge Gould went to you and
suggested that the companies would fol-
low any suggestion of the Commissioners.
and said the publicity connected with an
open investigation would be harmful
MIR. Douglas added: What you wanted
was publicity
II wish no harm to any individual, but
publicity often cures many evils, was
the reply.
what Col Judson wanted was public
ty-answer yes or no.
II would rather not answer yes or
no.
Col Judson explained that there had
,aen reports made which deceived the
public and that counter-publicity might
De needed
Nr Douglas went back to the Commits