The Washington herald., 1913-12-28

MAI. CHESTER HARDING, u. =. A.,
Engineer Commissioner of the District
be shaped. has not been forthcoming I'm
any statement OF the Commissi9 ners.
Therefore, the most important features
Of the last years administration OF local
affairs have been those acts of the pres
ent District heads which have tended to
give body to their broad declaration of
policy, and to show the spirit and I'M
derstanding in which they are approach
ing the task OF its realization.
Aim Rt Social Reforms.
Both as District Commissioners and as
members OF the public utilities commits
sion. created at the beginning of the
present year. the new men have given
unmistakable evidence OF the lines along
which they desire to accomplish a model
government. They have shown that they
see a model government in the greatest
health. happiness and well-being of all
the citizens They have made clear that
their reforms will be social reforms, the
accomplishment of better sanitation, the
correction of injustices between class
and class and section and section, and
the utmost development of all those
functions OF the municipal government
having to do with the physical well-be-
ing OF the people.
Such a program represents a sharp de-
parture from past policy. Heretofore
physical development of the city has teen
the goal, with the end in view of building
the most beautiful capital in the world
upon the north bank of the Potomac.
The watchword has been: Washington,
the beautiful" The new goal is one OF
social development, with an object Of
making living conditions in Washington
better than in any other city. Its watch
word might be: washington, the city
Utopian."
Instead of building additional boule-
wards, the new Commissioners would
strike at the causes of disease among the
people and lessen the cases; instead of
erecting imposing engineering works, they
would eliminate the sordid misery of the
alley slum;' instead OF developing beau
tifuI parks in sparsely settled neighbor-
hoods, they would provide plenty of play
ground room wherever there are children
to play, and instead of acquiescing in
means for the upbuilding and beautifica-
ton OF the city. they would establish
fair dealing between the public service
corporations and the people, likewise be-
tween the municipality and the different
communities within it.
Contents of Budget.
BY far the most important Indication
OF the Commissioners intention was fur
nished in the District budget that. they
submitted to Congress. This document
was the result Of personal tours Of in
spection by the Commissioners through
many sections of the city, of data asked
by them from residents OF all sections,
and of close study of the reports and
other information obtained from heads of
departments under them. In it Congress
De lOdO
house. a municipal hospital. hospital
for inebriates, a reformatory, new oath
ing beaches, convenience stations, au-
thority for the preparation of plans for
a model municipal market, for the estab-
Iishment of a model fish market and in
proved fish and vegetable wharves, pro-
vision for increased efficiency of the
health department, and for an impor-
tant increase in grounds and work OF the
department. The budget was
a carefully planned program for social
betterment. As reported by the House
District Committee, it has lost much of its
character.
The new board began its work July 10, |
when the two civilian Commissioners were |
sworn into Office. 1t selected as its presi- |
dent oliver p. Newman, young man |
holding the definite belief that govern |
ments are institutions for social service, |
and a man, further, possessed Of sufi-
cient experience, energy, and courage to |
lead in the endeavors for the realization |
Of this service to the full. Associated |
with their clean-cut president in the guild
ance of local affairs, are two level-eyed 1
men, fearless, progressive, and, like Mr.. |
Newman, with no connections to foster |
or favors to curry. People Of the Dis
trict have learned during the brief period /
Of the new municipal administration that
they will have no occasion to question |
the motives of the new Commissioners.
Mr.. Newman's Training.
Commissioner Newman is newspaper
man. His experience with governments
of municipalities, of various States and
of the United States has been wide. In 4
his capacity of news writer, he was one
Of the principal figures in the campaign
for the Iowa idea" From his West
Point training and the severe training at
Iendant upon successful newspaper ca