Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-17
NEWMAN'S ACTIVITIES
BENEFIT TO DISTRICT
So Declares W. D. Mackenzie, Who
Replies to Criticism of
Commissioner.
Suggests, in View Of Circumstances,
Some Attacks Upon Him Smack
Of Persecution.
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
In The Star of the 18th instant there
appeared a letter signed by Mr.. J. L.
Heiskell denouncing Mr.. Newman for not
resigning the Office Of Commissioner. Mr..
Heiskell asserts without proving) that
Mr.. Newman has never had the con-
fidence Of the public" and that not 1
per cent Of the population Of the District
would approve him in his present atti-
tude or in any Of his policies with re-
spect to the city Of Washington as ema-
mating from the Municipal building since
he assumed control" These are very
sweeping statements, and in the interest
of fair play ask space in your columns
for a brief reply thereto.
Mr.. Heiskell has not favored US with a
bill of particulars. but he evidently ex-
poets us to believe that Mr. Newman has
been guilty of some awful crimes against
the welfare and prosperity of the Dis
trict people. Before We condemn him,
however. suppose we examine some of
his policies and see how dreadful they
really are.
Mr.. Newman and his colleagues on the
been in office only little over a year.
Within that brief period they have done
to secure just assessments of
real estate In the District. They have
replaced two members of the old board
Of assessors by two competent and trust
worthy men. They have lent their sup
port to the George bill, which was draft
ed to provide the necessary machinery
for the abolition of inequalities and dis
ordinations in the assessment of prop
erty. That this bill was defeated was
due to circumstances beyond their con-
troll.
Propounds Query.
Is it a crime to adopt policy which is
designed to tighten the burden of taxa
ton on the small homes of this city and
to compel certain wealthy tax dodgers
to come across and pay their lust
share of taxation?
Mr.: Newman and his colleagues. as
members OF the public utilities commits
sion, have taken the initial steps to
carry out the law for the physical valua-
ton of the public utilities of this city.
When completed. this valuation will no
doubt form the basis for lower rates and
better service. Mr.. Newman and Mr. Sid
dons have also given able and uncom-
promised support to the Crosser bill for
roads. Is it a crime for a Commissioner
to do everything possible to secure for
the District people lower street car fares
and smaller gas, electric lighting and
telephone bills?
In his notable address before the Com
mercial Club last April. Mr. Newman
very frankly and fearlessly recognized
the fact that it is necessary to devise an
equitable substitute for the half-and-hal
system. in view of the growing opposition
t.,
posed an alternative plan under which
federal property would contribute to the
local revenues in proportion to its as
sessed value and the burden of local
taxation would be largely shifted to land
values. Is it a crime. when an old fiscal
ahead and plan a new policy which will
be just to all concerned?
Aids Local Interests.
Mr.. Newman and his colleagues have
also done all in their power to secure
adequate appropriations for the support
and development Of our educational
charitable and recreational institutions
Is it a crime to help to make Washington
a model city?
Among the people of the District, there
is not a widely developed civic spirit.
This is largely due to the lack of suf-
frage But among the few who are well
informed on District conditions and needs
1 venture the assertion that those who
appreciate the work of the present ad-
far outnumber it's critics. II
Mr., Heiskell will interview the leading
labor unionists of this city and some of
our leading social workers he will dis
cover that Mr.. Newman has hosts of
friends in Washington. He has not a
few supporters among the business and
professional men Of the city.
In the judgment of the writer who has
lived here for the past twenty-four years,
the policies initiated by Mr.. Newman
and his associates during the past year
have in them more Of promise for the
common welfare and betterment than
anything ever attempted by previous adj
ministrations.
Only One Grievance,