Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-28
PEACE AND TRANQUILITY MARK 1880 In DISTRICT ADM
8 NEW COMMISSIONERS
APPOINTED DURING YEAR
Gen. Crosby Remedies Police Force,
Great improvements Budgeted.
Borland Law Remedy Urged.

Washington, was transferred TO Alaska
to become the engineer member Of the
Alaskan Roads Commission, and Mai.
Holland l.. Robb, fresh from two-year
u ..rse at the Army General STAFF School
at Fort Leavenworth, was detailed as
his successor. Maj. Atkins left behind
him in Washington an enviable record
of service, the most notable achievement
of which involved the acquisition of a
major portion of the site for the Dis
trict's municipal, center.
Another vital change in the admin
istrative personnel of the District oc-
cured July /. when G. B. Hunt, veteran
engineer of highways, was retired after
80 years of service. The Commissioners
filled his post by the promotion of Capt.
Herbert G. Whitehurst, chief engineer
and co-ordinator. The advancement of
Capt, Whitehurst was regarded as just
reward for his many years of service to
the District a part of which he was in
the capacity as Assistant Engineer
Commissioner.
Police System Studied.
Gen. Crosby, who came into Office
charged by the President with the task
of STRENGTHENING the police department,
and reducing crime in the District,
began almost Immediately to make an
exhaustive study of the police force
with a view to making 1t model for
the nation His theory for achieving
this goal was first to build a solid
foundation with the proper personnel,
and this he has aimed to do by re-
moving those men who did not follow
the preceptS laid down in the police
manual of conduct, He has endeavored
to build up a force of men having as
their three fundamental elements
courtesy, humanism and discretion.
Gen. Crosby also has been tnstru-
mental in making two major changes
in police activities-he brought about
the motorization of the patrol force OF
the second police precinct by putting
foot patrolmen on duty in automobiles
and directed the Capitalization OF the
vice and liquor squads under the COM
mand of Inspector T. Il. Bean. Botn
changes resulted in more effective po-
lice work.
Budget Sets Record.
The most important work the Com
missioners have done as board dur
ing their brief tenure, however, was the
preparation of the Districts annual
budget for the 1892 fiscal year, which
is now before Congress SIS, calling for ap-
preparations totaling SAT, 796 ,047 Though
$6Ol 1886 less than the amount appro-
priated for the current fiscal year, the
new budget in reality is the largest
ever submitted because of a provision
reserving 100000 for beginning con-
struction of buildings in the municipal
center area. This 100000 reserva-
ton would bring the actual 1882 bud
get up to an unprecedented total OF
9.296, DAT.
The new budget provides a number
Of outstanding improvements OF major
importance and continues appropria-
tions necessary for the progressive pro-
gram Of relieving congestion In the
public schools through the elimination
Of oversize and part-time classes and
the dimsy one-room portableS.
Urge BOrIand Law Change.
Two other important administrative
actions of the Board of Commissioners
was the preparation and transmission
to Congress of proposed legislation pro-
viding for an amendment of the Bor-
land law and a bill to give them re-
sponsibility for traffic control In the
District.
The traffic bill resulted from an in
tensive investigation of traffic regula-
ton and control made by special ad-
visory council created by the Commits
sioners in the Summer. The proposed
amendment of the Borland law was
recommended to counteract the effect
of a decision of the Supreme Court and
will give the Commissioners the power,
in their discretion, TO "abate, reduce
or adjust" assessments which aggrteved
property owners prove to their salts
faction are inequitable.