The Washington times., 1913-07-21
DISTRICT HEADS
VISIT CAPITOL
Newman and Siddons Make
Acquaintance of Men With
Whom They Will Work.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

statement regarding future policies. II
was announced today. will be issued by
the new board. 1t is understood, how
ever not to be the purpose Of the Com
missioners to order any drastic changes,
but to take a careful survey of the situ-
alton before reaching a decision In the
many matters Of Importance which are
before them.
One of their first duties will be a re-
arrangement of departments. This,
Commissioner Newman, president OF
the board, said today will be decided on
in the next few days. In the mean
ing the plan adopted by the former
board, will have charge of the auditing
and accounting departments. which in
clude the office of the Collector Of
Taxes, Auditor and Assessor, as well
as the OFFICES Of the Corporation Coun-
sci, superintendent of Insurance. Board
Of Charities, Board Of Children's
Guardians, workhouse, washington
Asylum and Jail, and all unassigned
matters.
Commissioner siddons will have
charge of the departments under former
Commissioner Johnston, including the
Police, Fire and Health Departments.
Office of Superintendent Of Weights
and Measures. Engineer Commissioner
Harding, of course, continues in charge
OF all engineering IHdtteIs.
New Men Early At Desk.
Commissioners Newman and Siddons
were early at their desks and were en-
gagged during the morning in receiving
the heads Of the various departments
who called to pay their respects and to
confer on routine affairs.
Work on the estimates for the fiscal
year 1915 will begin Immediately. The
law provides that the estimates shall
be in the hands of the Secretary of the
this is the largest annual task the
Commissioners have to undertake,
weeks of study Will be required in order
to keep the total to within twice the
estimated amount Of the revenues Of
the District and at the same time give
heed to the needs of the departments
and various sections OF the city. Com
missioners Newman and Siddons, having
made 4 close study of municipal affairs
for years. are especially we'll equipped
for the task.
All matters OF Importance in the con-
duct of the new administration will be
decided on in board session, and fire.
quent conferences, it was said, will be
held between the Commissioners.
Immediate consideration is to be given
also by the new board to the many
problems in connection with the en-
forcement of the public utilities law.
Engineer Commissioner Harding will
continue as chairman Of the Public
Utilities Commission, the public utilities
law providing that the first chairman
shall remain in office until the first
week in January. 1914. For the first
time since the public utilities law went
into effect the three District Commits
sioners are members Of the commission.
Those who have talked with the Presi-
dent regarding WASHINGTON affairs have
fot tANN, haN
sires to make the District government
model for other cities OF the country.
He is said to want Washington to have
the most up-to-date, YET economical,
administration OF any city IN America;
he wants the best streets. the best light
ing, the best policing, and the best
sanitation. Moreover, he - said to want
as to make the richer property owners
bear a proportionate share OF the bur
den Of taxes.
Reforms Wilson Suggets.
Among the reforms which the Presi-
dent, but more particularly the Presi-
dents wife, wishes to bring about here
is an elimination OF unsightly. disease
breeding alleys throughout the city
The President, realizing the depend
ence of the District on Congress, is said
to be particularly anxious that there
SnOulO De harmony between tne IOID-
missioners and the House District Com
mittee. That is why. in picking the
new Commissioners. the President fire.
quently consulted with members of the
committee. Among those members
often in consultation with the Presi-
dent is Chairman Ben johnson, of the
committee, and II the latter can be
said to reflect the views of the Presi-
debt, It is significant that recently he ex-
pressed himself as outspoken in favor
trict residents.