The Washington herald., 1914-01-11
SDDONS MAKES aREPLY"

District Commissioners Says He Finds
Solace in Consciousness Of
Duty Done.
"For the frst time since took my
oath of ONCE. realize that the position
of District Commissioner Ii far from a
bed of roses realize that there are
cases where a Commissioner unjustly
becomes the target Of criticism. to
which he is unable to respond.
yet. compelled as he is, to keep his
mouth closed to such criticism, q Com
missioner finds solace in the consciousness
that he Ii doing his duty according to
bis best judgment"
This was the indirect comment OF
Commissioner Siddons last night upon
the case Of Deputy Fire Chief Sullivan,
In speech before the University Club.
the occasion being IAN evening with the
District Commissioner
Many Subjects Diseased.
Jest and earnest were mingled In the
speeches The Sullivan case was not d.
rectly referred to. yet numerous allus:ons
to 1t were made, humorous and serious
and President Parker and Secretary Ben
nett. OF the University Club, also made
addresses The relations between the
District and Congress in the administra-
tion Of the Districts affairs, legislation
In this field. national and municipal party
politics, and the power and lack of power
Of the Commissioners were some of the
subjects discussed.
A roar of laughter followed Mr.. Ben
netts Introductory remarks concerning
Commissioner Siddons. The Sullivan case
doomed up in this wise:
Gen. Sherman may have been a care
less man about fire. Mr.. Siddons Is an
awful careful man about fire.
Mr.. Bennett then praised Mr.. Siddons
a. safe. sane. and sound Official, q
gentleman, scholar. and a poet"
National politics should play no part
In municipal government. In the ma
tional administration, party politics is
unavoidable as long as the administra.
ton Ii in the hands Of q national party
National political Offices should be filled
solely by those who by conviction in
dorse and work for the aims and ideals
Of the national party that happens to
be in control
To Punish ssCripsinal.o
1T will be a sorry day for this coun-
try. however, II the movement striding
away from partisan control of municipal
government should STOP
In concluding. the speaker made a de-
cided hit with his listeners with the
suggestion that IF the club should ever
find that one Of its members happens
to be a criminal In performing the du-
ties of District Commissioner, I hope
that it will march en- masse to the
District Building and stay his violent.
hand"
Secretary Bennett announced the af-
fair TO be a "three-ring circus" In
Commissioner Newman as
the baby member" of the. Commits
sion. he paid a high tribute to Mr..
Newman's achievements before and
after he took bis present ONCE of
chairman of the District Commission.
In referring to Cuno H. Rudolph, Mr..
Newman's predecessor, Mr.. Bennett
said the latter could make more
speeches at the same occasion than
any other man, excepting Col Rooss-
Welt and Secretary Bryan"
Commissioner Newman's speech was
brief. He emphasized that the majority
of newspapers today. in his opinion. are
Independent to such an extent that they
have no concessions to make to any in
terests in their editorial policy and IN
the printing Of news. excepting to the
interests Of their readers He then re-
lated how in the same room where he
was speaking. he had suggested to Sec
rotary Tumulty the appointment Of Mr..
Siddons as District Commissioner, jok-
ingly referring to 1t as a 'crime"
We'll. will this fellow take it," Mr.
Newman said was the question of Sec
rotary Tumulty. Whereupon, the speaker
continued, ii took him and others about
two hours and thirty minutes to obtain
Mr.. Siddons' consent to accept the Of
fee. And now see what's Happening to
him." closed Mr.. Newman amid laugh
ter, referring to the public criticism Of
case.
Col. Harding was introduced by Mr.
Bennett as a IMAM who does things" a
man whose record can be compared to a
Cclebra cut.
Commissioner Harding opined that a
Culebra cut was a great hole in the
ground, somewhat slippery, with a ten
dency to slide" He disclaimed any re-
sponsibility for the great production of
the Mississippi Valley, as he had mo
means whatever to fertilize that soil"
IT should have served about twenty
years in my present ONCE" he contin-
and run for Congress. For then would
know what the duties OF Congress are.
especially toward the District
The greatest trouble Is that the sue
cess of a Commissioner in his ONCE de-
ponds largely on many things that are
absolutely beyond his control. The Com
being the spokesman of the
District, must, of course. tell Congress
what the needs of the District are.
yet, the Commissioners have absolute
ly no power or authority to influence any
vote of Congress on District matters. ex-
cepting by presenting to the members of
the House these needs on their merits.
But all we can do Is to let them act as
they think they ought to act, after listen
ing to us.
Decision of Cleveland.
In closing, Col. Harding pleaded for
closer cooperation Of the citizens with
the Commissioners and for proper legis-
Iation for the District
Col NJ. NJ. Parker, president Of the club.
related some of his experiences while
District Commissioner. One Of his stories
was especially well received It treated
with a campaign for the removal of a GER
tain clerk in one Of the District Offices,
the movement being led by Congress-
man and several Virginia Colonels', who
one day came into Col. Parker's ONCE
and demanded the removal Of the clerk
II