Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-01

members of Congress and prominent civic
workers.
Newman and Siddons Named.
June D. President Wilson nominated
Oliver P. Newman, newspaper man, and
Frederick J.. Siddons, lawyer. to be Dis
trict Commissioners. On the following
day the excise board nominations were
sent to the Senate These included the
names of Frank b. Lord, John Il. Colpoys
and Gen. Robert G. Smith.
! Opposition developed to the confirma-
ton of Newman, Lord and Colpoys. The
former was attacked on the ground that
he was a nonresident within the mean
ing of the law, and an organization OF
citizens, known as the home rule COM
mittee. was formed i'm order to carry the
fight to the courts. The Anti-Saloon
League opposed the confirmation of Lord.
while opposition was made TO Coipoys on
the ground that he had been hostile to
the Jones' Works bill.
The Senate confirmed the nomination
of Commissioner Siddons July Z. July
Is that body also approved the nOmina-
ton of Commissioner Newman, and four
days later, July 10. the new board of
Commissioners formally entered upon its
duties in the conduct of District affairs.
Prior to this, the District appropria-
ton act, carrying the new excise law,
had become effective July 1, with the
beginning of the new fiscal year, but
there was no excise board to enforce the
latter measure Opposition to Lord and
Colpoys resulted in the withdrawal Of
these nominations by the President. Jo-
seph c. Sheehy and Henry S. Baker Were
then named for the two positions and
confirmed The new excise board or
ganized September :
Investigation of Assessor.
The District assessors Office was in
vestigated during the latter part of
July by the House District committee
This probe resulted in the Commits
sioners later removing from Office Sam
uel I. Kalbfus, assistant assessor
While the investigation was at it's
height Matthew Trimble, assistant as
SCISSOR, resigned and William l.. Beale
was appointed to succeed him. No rea-
son was given by Mr.. Trimble for his
resignation. E. w. Oyster was appointed
as successor to Mr.. Kalbfus.
The public utilities commission put in
busy summer and fall investigating
number of important matters. including
the question of universal transfers and
the commission jurisdiction over taxicab
companies. Several bond issue applica-
tons were passed upon. The commits
sion in November instituted an inquiry
into the financial status of the Washing
ton Railway and Electric Company and,
last month took under consideration an
application for the merger of the Wash
ington and Georgetown Gas Light COM
panieS.
Excise Regulations Made.
September % the excise board made
public rules and regulations which it had
adopted for the government Of the liquor
traffic in the District The resignation of
f. H. Thomas, who for twelve years had
served as corporation counsel of the Dis
trict, was announced October l. Conrad
H. Syme was appointed as his successor
The Commissioners, early in October.
began work on the Districts annual esti-
mates. During this month the eligibility
of Commissioner Newman to hold office,
which had been attacked by the home
rule committee, was upheld by Justice
Anderson in Circuit Court No 2
Formal study of Washingtons needs
with a view to presenting to President
Wilson definite recommendations looking
toward the establishment here of model
municipal government was commenced by
the Commissioners in October. con-
ference for this purpose was held between
the District heads and Henry Bruere of
the bureau of municipal research of New
York city.
Estimates for Coming Year.
The Commissioners estimates, providing
for appropriations totaling S14 491 ,614 40.
were made public by the House of Rep
resentatives December l. The sum is an
increase of $3,O99.3 $3.50 over the appro-
priation act for the current fiscal year.
They also forwarded to the Senate, in
response to resolution passed by that
body, a report furnishing information as
to the business methods of the Chesa-
peake' and Potomac Telephone Company.
They approved bill, drawn by COM
mittee of civic workers, providing for
the elimination of all inhabited alleys in
the District within a period of ten years.
and gave consideration to a large number
of matters affecting the physical and So
cial welfare of all people of the National
Capital.
| The appropriations committees of the
House and Senate wrought important
! Legislation for the District of Columbia
during the regular session of Congress
/ which ended March 4 last.
The Lincoln Memorial.
An omnibus appropriation bill pro-
vided for local improvements. The
! Lincoln memorial, to cost not exceed
vision was made to connect Potomac
| Park with Geological and Rock Creek
parks. Estimate OF cost of memorial
bridge across the Potomac river and
! the construction of a hall of archives
\ was directed, and a site was provided
| for the proposed George Washington
/ Memorial. A government building for
I the geological survey at a cost of
| S596,000 was authorized A building to
commemorate the services of the wom-
en- OF the civil war and for the use of
the headquarters OF the American Ma
tional Red Cross, to cost $1,000 of
which sum the Red Cross is to pro-
| vide $300.0 900. was authorized
The local. legislation of the District
committees effected during the twelve
| months included the passage Of loan
shark law severer punishment OF I'M
| authorized use Of automobiles: extern
sion of street railway line along Nc
| Comb street and Massachusetts ave-
nue. to the District line; new harbor
regulations; increased license fees for
drivers of public vehicles; amendment
i Of the charfar NJ ha rl,o -