The Washington times., 1914-07-20
NEW NEW YEAR ENTERED
BY COMMISSIONERS:
important Work Done by Dis
trict's Governing Board in
Twelve Months.

Twelve Months.
The Board of Commissioners entered
yesterday upon the second year of its ad-
nInistration. One year ago yesterday
oliver P. Newman and Frederick L.
Siddons took the oath of office as Com
rrissioners of the District, succeeding
Cuno H. Rudolph and Gen. John A.
Johnston
Fighting opposition on the part OF the
home rule committee. which is seeking
10 prevent his continuance in otnce' |
Commissioner Newman bears he unam-
nous Endorsement of the executive COM
mittee OF the Park View Citizens Asso-
citation. Resolutions unanimously in |
dorsing the administration of Commits |
sioner Newman and deploring the ef- |
forts of those seeking his removal were
adopted unanimously at recent meet |
ing.
Many Changes in Methods.
During the last year many important |
changes in administrative methods have
been inauyruated Ey the Commissioners. |
Their first important task was the prep |
aration of the estimates for the hscai
year 1914 In considering the needs of
the District the board invited sugges-
tions from all the citizens associations
Attention was given all Of these Sug-
gestions in compiling the budget, which |
rotaled $l4, ,49l ,0l44S.- The amount ap-
propriated by Congress is approx
lnately sl2, 100000. Changes IN the per-
sonnel of the District government, have
heen few. Mathew Trimble, member |
of the board of assistant assessors, was
,Df hn irSt off n al
Trimble was succeeded by W. L. Beale
Samuel ]. Kalbfus, also member Of the
board of assistant assessors, was |
succeeded by z. W. Oyster. On october
! F. a Thomas, corporation counsel,
resigned and Conrad II. Syme was ap-
pointed as his successor. A few months
later Ben l.. Prince was appointed
Collector Of Taxes to succeed Charles
= Rogers. Charles F. Nesbit was ap-
pointed SUPERINTENDENT of insurance
10 ucceed George W. 1ngham- The OF,
ice of Assistant Corporation Counsel
was given Roger ]. Whitford.
Busy As Utilities Board.
Az members of the Public Utilities
Commission. the Commissioners have
had busy year in which much has
Ieon accomplished l.
In November the hoard began an in
vestigation of the washington Railway |
and Electric Company, which resulted
seuaration of the business of the street |
railway COMPANY and the Potomac Elec-
trio Light Company. subsidiary cor
poration.
Suit 10 recover 5000 in fines for al
legged failure TO obey an order of the |
Public Utilities Commission to Keep |
separate it's accounts from those of the |
Washington Railway Company was re- |
Gently instituted in the District Supreme |
Court by CORPORATION Counsel Syme, 1
counsel for the commission. 1t is the |
intention. Mr. Svme announced, to in
stitute suits for 5000, fine of 800 a !
day. at the end of each month until 4
compliance is made with the order.
Another important act of the commits |
sion was the denial of the application |
of the Washington Gas Light Company
10 mefge with the Georgetown Gas |
Light COMPANY.
Following an APPROPRIATION of s1O0,0oo |
for the work of the Public Utilities Com |
mission. the services of an expert corps |
Of public utility accountants were OBJ
tanned
Valuation of. the properties or the |
public utilities is now being made. 1t |
IS estimated that the work VIII be |
completed by Iune Is. 1915. after which ]
the commission will take I'D and decide /
the question of rates.
Alley Bill Pet Measure
The aIlev bill. providing for the eiini-
nation OF all the inhabited alleys Of the
District is one of the Commissioners Il
pet measures. and they have strongly
recommended its enactment
Approval of the CTosser bill. providing
f0r the municipal ownership of street
railways, was given in lengthy report
to Congress.
Strict enforcement of the building reg
ulatiOns has been demanded. number
Of suits were instituted against property
owners to compel them to provide suit
ble fire protection, or to enjoin the use
OF their premises.
The new traffic regulations were
drawn by the Commissioners, aided b.
Corporation Counsel Syme and Major
Richard Sylvester, superintendent of po-
lice force. after weeks of personal in
vestigation OF traffic conditions
In the midst of the discussion relative
TO the abolition of the 'half-and-half''
plan. Commissioner Newman made clear
his ideas on the subject in an address
delivered at luncheon at the CONNER
cial Club. The plan advocated by Mr..
Newman was that the Commissioners
be authorized to levy tax rates on all
assessablc property TO produce the
amount necessary. the Federal Govern
nent 10 contribute as its share an
amount equal to the tax rate II il were
applicable TO Government property, ex-
elusive OF streets. trlangles and circles,
Rock Creek Park and Potomac Park.
The area embraced in these parks Is
$50 acres. a much larger park area
than is found in other American cities.
Face Important Tasks.
In entering upon the second year OF
their administration the Commissioners
face a number of important tasks. An
nuaI reports of the heads Of depart
ments will soon have TO be given con-
sideration, then will come the prepa-
ration of the estimates for the fiscal
year 1915. The work OF the Public
Utilities Commission is expected to take
Up much Of their time in the next six
months
pythiaus Catherine for