The Washington times., 1894-10-31
CONCERNS OF THE DISTRICT
Transfer of Capt. Derby, Commits
SiOner POWell's Assistant.
CAPT. BEACH HIS SUCCESSOR
Intimation that There Was Outside Pressure
in Favor of the Change-License Matters
"A sneg in the Way of Certain Glasses
of Applicants-Tax Deed Opinion.

When it became known yesterday at the
District building that the transfer of Capt.
George Nee. Derby, the efficient assistant TO
the Engineer Commissioner, was to be made
to another line Of duty at New Orleans. to be
succeeded by Capt Beach, there was a gen.
eral expression of opinions as to the causes
leading to the exchange, and general regret
among the captains many friends.
1t was freely intimated that there was
especial reason, but not TO the captains dis
credit by any means, for the transfer of an
officer whose record for industry and capa-
bility in the discharge of duty was so merl-
torious. and number of certain corpora
tlons were accredited of having hand in it..
Engineer Commissioner Powell said 10 a
TINES reporter that there were no charges
whatever from any official quarter against
Capt. Derby. So far as he himself was con-
cerned, he regarded his assistant as an ac-
complished officer. and would be pleased to
retain his services for the good Of the Dis
trict. 1t was not true. so far as he knew, that
the corporations had anything to do with the
change.
The chief engineer of the Army. he said, had
use for efficient officers TO take charge of the
many prominent posts in that branch of the
service, and had selected Capt. Derby for an
important trust. The Army has the first right
10 its officers. of course.
Hewanted it emphasized that there were, so
far as he knew, neither charges nor complaints
against Capt Derby's management of his
Office.
Commissioner Ross said he was not advised
OF the reasons for the transfer, and had no
opinion TO express.
Capt Derby SAID he was not aware that the
order had been issued, but he had no doubt
il would be. He regretted 10 leave Washing
ton, he admitted, rs he had made many
pleasant acquaintances here, and the associ-
ations are most congenial.
When asked if he knew of any reasons for
the transfer he replied:
1T is usual to leave a man here for four
years. leave after service of about a year
and a half do not know of q single COM
plalnt upon any score from my superior
officers. nor do / believe that they entertain
any. l have been constantly on duty here in
the interest of the public, and it is not IN
likely in the course of my duty have caused
somebody displeasure-somebo outside. l
know of no just cause of complaint of my
work here
1t is understood that Commissioner Powell
spent an hour or more at the War Depart
the order changed, but the result proves that
he was not successful.
The division OF the labors OF Capt Powelrs
two new assistants will not be made until the
two report for duty.
Capt Derby's successor is Capt. Lansing
H Beach, at present stationed at Galveston,
Tex. He was a classmate of Capt Burr who
will be his co-worker under Commissioner
Powell.
The assessors Office will present a busy
2 enc to-day, doubtless, since the many who
from habit or necessity defer until the last
moment the filing of their applications for
license under the excise laws will find them
selves confronted with a condition that pro-
crastination will not fit
There are reasons to suppose that not all
who apply will obtain ''the papers," II is a
well understood fact that the board will
closely scrutinize The applications, and clean
record will be necessary
Not to forestall the action of the board, but
merely as an indication of coming events. a
TINES reporter was informed yesterday of the
case OF a young wife who had appealed to GER
tain saloon keepers to refrain from selling
liquor to her husband. worthy mechanic who
had permitted drink to get the better of him.
They persisted in disregarding her wishes.
and, acting under advice, sne filed written
notice as provided by law, and this is under
stood to have been ignored. The reporters s
informant confidently predicted where these
facts are shown TO the satisfaction of the
board, each applicant so charged would be
turned down.
Another case was cited where nickel-in-
the slot machine had figured as an aid to a
saloon. Out of leniency only the penalty was
not inflicted, the machine alone having been
sacrificed. That is another class of cases
which, if the facts shall be conclusively
shown. will tend strongly to defeat the appli-
cant for renewal of the license
The number of retail applications filed up
TO 3 o'clock yesterday was slightly in excess
of the number in hand October 80, 1893, while
the applications for wholesale license were
decreased. The difference in the amount of
revenue represented by both was a matter of
SlI 600 in excess Of last year on that date
The decrease in wholesale applications is
believed to be due to the determination of
many to abandon the wholesale method in
favor Of the agency for manufacturers, as
mentioned previously in The TINES
But one application for liquor license was
passed upon by the board Of excise yesterday,
that of John c. Wittekindt. No. 200 street
northwest, for transfer. which was allowed
Judge Cole recently rendered an opinion IN
the case Of J. ID. Fuller vs. the District Com
missioners, upon the application for a writ of
mandamus requiring the Commissioners and
the collector OF taxes to proceed to sell GER
tain real estate (the Kimmell property. on C
street northwest. near Sixth street, held by
the Commissioners to be barred from sale by
the act Of March 3, 1871
The act was construed by the board to limit
the right of the holder under certain lien GER
tilcates against the property
The court granted the writ. directing the
sale OF the lots under the act of the general
assembly of the District of 1873.