The Washington times., 1919-11-25

cord with the other two members Of
the Public Utilities Commission. His
most notable difference was In re-
gard to the valuations of the WASH
ington Railway and Electric Company
and the Capital Traction Compaoy.
He courageously took the position
that these properties should have been
valued much higher than found by his
colleagues, basing his conclusions
mainly upop decisions Of the United
States Supreme Court His colleagues
likewise depended upon these same
decisions, but did not construe them
exactly as Mr.. Gardiner did.
Gardiner Makes stateneDt.
After making public the correspond
ence with the White House Commits
sioner Gardiner gave this interesting
statement:
The letters of resignation and ae-
.ceptance speak for themselves, and !
have nothing to add thereto except
to say that have a young and grow
ing family and / found 1t impossible
to live on the salary of District Com
missioner, and II became absolutely
necessary that I should return to tho
practice of my profession in order to
earn sufficient sums to properly pro
vide for them.
The statements heretofore made
In the press to the effect that have
been supporting certain candidates
who are desirous of being nominated
by the President az my successor. are
without foundation In fact have
not supported the candidacy Of any
man, nor will do so. believing that
1t would not be proper for a District
Commissioners to suggest to the Presi-
dent or to anyone else the name of
his successor.
Il have, as one who has lived in
the District Of Columbia for many
years and who expects to live here
for many years to come, a deep in
terest in having a man who has had
wide experience in business or con-
siderable legal knowledge as District
Commissioner.
Lesson Learned.o
II desire to say that / have learned
three lessons during my encumb ncy
of the office Of District Commiss oner:
First-The statement which l have
so often heard. that every man in pub
lie life Is condemned, Is not correct.
My experience has taught me that at
least 90 per cent of the citizens of the
District of Columbia are willing and
anxious to do every thing that is pos
sible to advance the interests of the
city and to support those administer
ing its affairs.
Second have also learned that
every member Of both houses of Con-
gress has deep interest in~Washing.
ton as their Capital and are ready
and willing to help the District in
any way that they can. 1t has been
my experience that they have at all
times been willing to give the Dis
trict everything that they felt that
they could give, and IL at times we
did not get all that we tn ought we
were entitled to. i am entirely con-
vinced that 1T was due to our imabil-
ity to give them full information on
the subject under inquiry.
Third have also learned that the
newspaper men Of Washington, es-
pecially those with whom have come
in close contact in the District Build
ing, are fair. frank and honest with
me. have learned to trust them at-
solstely.
I'm conclusion I desire to say that
those employed by the District Gov
ernment are in a very large measure
able. honest, conscientious. loyal. and
that they are not paid more for the
valuable services that they are render.
ing to the District and its people is a
source of much regret to me.
81 hope that Congress will soon real
ize that unless they increase the SAL
ary OF the District Commissioners. the
President will have great difficulty in
securing capable men to accept and re-
main in office"
nonon oao,,1o