Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-21
WAR SECRETARY'S VIEWS
Course of the Engineer Commission
er of District Approved.
AUTHOR OF LOCAL ECONOMIES
Compliment Bestowed by Head of
coined by the Colonel.

The Secretary of War stated today
that Lieut.. Col. William V. Judson. Dis
trict Engineer Commissioner, had been
ordered to duty on the isthmus of Pana-
ma, lin response to request preferred
by Col Goethals some time ago. asking
that Col Judson be detailed to his assist
ance on the Panama canal"
Action on that request said Secre-
tary Stimson, has been delayed until
now in order not to inconvenience the
work of the District of Columbia. Dur
ing Col Judson's four-year tenure of the
| Office of Engineer Commissioner he has
been earnest and effective in his advo-
cacy Of various improvements and re-
forms in the administration of the city
of Washington
Substantial economies have been ef-
fected in the lighting service, more ade-
have been obtained and there has been
marked Improvement in the system OF
street cleaning without increase of cost.
He has also earnestly advocated impor-
tant improvements In legislation. such as
better control over public utilities and
over private building operations, the in
stitution of a better merit system IN ap-
pointmentS to office and remedial legisla-
tion to put end to abuses in the bus-
ness of insurance. In all of these mat
appreciation of the War Department.
Complimented by Rudolph.
Praise for the work of Col. Judson as
Engineer Commissioner is contained in a
statement given out today by Cuno H.
Rudolph. president Of the board Of Dis
trict Commissioners.
Col. Judson will leave for the Panama
Canal Zone. the new post to which he
has been transferred by the War De-
partment within a week or two. Speak
Ing of his services to the District since
he became Engineer Commissioner March
10 1903. Mr.. Rudolph today said:
1.-The professional experience and en-
terpr1se OF Col. Judson has been of great
service to the municipal administration
OF the National Capital. improvements in
the construction, repair and care of road
ways, the betterment of the street lighting
and the street cleaning and reIuse dis
posal services have been highly creditable
to his initiative and supervision. His ex-
ceptional interest in the betterment of the
park system and the extension of that
system to include number Of tracts in
Danger OF being diverted to commercial
uses especially entities him to a high
place in the estimation of those who most
acuteiy appreciate the enhancement these
acquisitions are to the scenic attractions
ana SdluDrlty OF the District"
1T Is no secret that Col. Judson is
pleased over the transfer, which means
that he is to assist In the work of COM
pletfng the worlds greatest engineering
feat-the building Of the Panama canal
He has been greatly interested in the con-
isthmus since he became District Com
missioner.
Col. Judson's Comment.
1T is very hard thing. but periodical
with an engineer officer, to cut all the
threads that knit him to his job" said
Col. Judson today. But it is hardest
to contemplate the things one would have
done, but could not. An Engineer Com
missioner is surrounded by near-oppor-
tunities for great local public service.
II suppose no one. in District matters,
is compelled by the nature Of his duties
to become more cOnversant with District
needs than he. nor more acquainted with
the limitations and virtues OF our local
system. These things being true, an en-
Gineer Commissioner. or civil Commits
sioner. for that matter, possessing some
Imagination. may seem to preach or to
strive to overreach.
AS to the things / have been doing
here, and the Things l have been trying
to do. they are an open book, for l have
talked about them publicly on many oc-
casiOnS.
Had Col. Judson remained the Engineer
Commissioner of the District until the
middle of next month his period of serv-
ice here would have been exactly four
years. During his incumbency he has
carefully studied and recommended much
desirable legislation, his one idea being
that the federal capital should be a model
city so that other municipalities might
come to Washington for tried and saIis-
factory practices, which would amply lie,
pay the country at large for all OF it's
local expenses.
Suggestions He Has Made.
He has urged that number of func-
tions, including street paving and gar
bage disposal, could be carried on more
cheaply and efficiently by direct munich
pal effort than by contract, while he has
preached the development of the nearby
water-power Of the Potomac river to
take care of the city's public lighting
In addition to other things. Col Jud-
son has sought legislation that would Sc
cure definite program for the execu-
tlon or public works. the acquisition of
park lands and the extinction of the Dis
tr1cts debt. He has advocated a law
that would give the public greater con-
troi over private building operations.
Col Judson today said his successor.
Maj. Chester Harding, Is one of the
strongest officers In the Engineer Corps
OF the army. and is especially fitted for
the assignment as District Engineer Com