Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-16
Organization of the Districts
New Public Commission
Practically Complete.
QUARTERS ARE FITTED
AND ALL OFFICERS NAMED
Much Credit for Rapid Progress
Due to H. c. Eddy-Economy to
Be Watchword Of the Body.

With its organization practically
complete for the present, the public
| utilities commission of the District OF
| Columbia. authorized by Congress two
weeks ago. will get down to- work in
earnest tomorrow.
1t is doubtful If the local govern
hold of a new function than it has in
establishing working basis for the
public utilities commission.
Not only have officers for this body
been chosen. but office quarters have
been fitted up and preparations COM
pleted for beginning at once con-
sideration of questions affecting the
District of Columbia's public service
facilities.
E. H. Thomas Is Legal Adviser.
Temporarily, at least, the new COM
mission will be more closely ASSOC
ciated with the engineer department
than with any other branch OF the
District government. It's officers are
Col. Chester Harding, Engineer Com
missioner. chairman; Capt. Julian L
sioner. executive officer; Daniel e.
Garges. chief clerk of the engineer
department. acting secretary. and III.
c. Eddy, formerly Of the District cleo
trio railway commission, engineer.
Corporation Counsel e. H. Thomas is
the legal adviser of the commission, while
Commissioner Rudolph is the only men,
Der of the board in addition to Col.
Harding.
Much of the credit for the rapid
progress made in getting the commission
ready for work is due to Mr.. Eddy That
official lost no time in fitting UP the
orrirv 4 h. H~l,<3
floor of the municipal building and trans
ferring to the quarters the various
papers and documents of the old railway
board.
Capt. Sch1ey on the Job.
Following the transfer Of number OF
his duties to Capt. Mark Brooke, Capt.
Schley yesterday gave attention to the
problem of getting the work Of the COM
Eddy in regard to some OF the matters
which the commission may give con-
sideration to at once.
Prior to the creation Of the commits
sion the old railway board, which was q
branch of the interstate commerce COM
mission, had completed a revised code
for the operation and equipment Of street
study and exhaustive examination con-
Quoted by Mr.. Eddy. had not been pro-
mulgated at the time the board went out
of existence.
1t is considered more than likely that
the code or one similar will be adopted
shortly by the new commission. Mr..
Eddy has this matter we'll in hand.
which will make it possible for the
commission to render an early decision.
Economy to Be Watchword.
recommendations to the commission
will be made through Capt Schley The
corps of officers selected will be sum-
cient 1t is thought to take care OF all
the business that may come before the
board for the present.
Economy is to be the watchword of
the commission. 1t is anticipated that
the principal expenditures will be those
incurred in the establishing Of valua-
tions on the properties Of the different
public service corporations operating In
the District. Effort will be made to
make the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. appropria-
ton allowed by Congress last as long as
possible, and for this reason q permanent
secretary will not be appointed ut this
time. Mr.. Garges, as chief clerk Of the en-
gineer department, will handle the extra
duties Of secretary Of the commission
without pay, while plans for q per-
manent organization are being worked
out.