Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-27
Judson Taken to Task.

The report charges in so many words
that Commissioner Judson just as soon
as Mr. Stellwagen had seen him, became
the active agent Of the four financial in
situations just referred to. to have tho
valuation of the Southern building kept
down at as low a figure as possible: for
the purpose. We believe. that nearby
property might not be raised for taxable
purposes.
The report states that less than half a
dozen witnesses testified that the ground
upon which the Southern building is sit
uated is worth i'm the neighborhood OF 81
a square foot; the statement following
that 1t Is singular coincidence that
these witnesses are the heads of the near
by financial institutions whose property is
assessed at much less than they them
selves admit ii to be WORTH
On the other hand. the report states a
large number OF disinterested witnesses
place the value of the real estate proper
at prices ranging from $45 to so or more
a square foot, the overwhelming con-
sensus OF opinion among these witnesses,
according to the report. being that the
real estate is worth $45 square foot. As
the property contains 22,2l2 square feet
this would make the real estate worth
$999. $40.
After further discussing the value oc
the Southern building property and tha
method of selecting appraisers and mans
ner of appraising. the report says:
"All of the Testimony introduced upon
the subject shows that the appraisers
were duly and regularly appointed. with
out fraud or corrupt motives in such APP
pointment. and that they were competent
and honest. and discharged their duties
impartially. and free from selfish inter-
est; and the testimony further shows be-
yond question that this property is worth
S2.OOO0o. We, therefore. see no reason
whatever for disturbing the appraisemenp
made by these men,.
Exoneration of Ingham.
In regard to the general competency
of Mr.. Ingham. superintendent of insur>
ance, the report calls attention to what
is styled 1.-The fatty contradictory states
ments OF Engineer Commissioner JUDI
son." The report states that in his testi-
mony Col. Judson declared he had OPP
posed Mr.. Ingham's appointment from
the time his name was first suggested.
and that he simply acquesced in thu
inevitable and voted for Mr.. Ingham, still
believing him to he incompetent, but
knowing that his vote was of no avail,
The report calls attention to "A letter
written by Col. Judson to Senator GAL
linger about fifty-seven days prior TO tho
appointment of Mr.. Ingham, In which the
Engineer Commissioner stated that h.,
was I'm favor of the appointment OF Mr.
Ingham.
In regard to a question OF alleged COL
fusion between the superintendent OF In
surance and the insurance companies for
the purpose or making a raise Statement
as to the financial condition OF the latter,
the report declares that the correctness
of Mr.. Ingham's statement was establish
ed beyond all question and his statement
is further substantiated by the New York
expert accountants employed I'm the in
vestigaton. who declared that each NJ
these insurance companies is absolutely
solvent.
The report goes into the history AMI
financial methods of insurance companies
concerned in extreme detail and unquali-
fiedly exonerates the companies from any
suspicion OF bad business methods. poor
management or questionable practices OF
any kind.