The evening times., 1900-01-22

The Attorney for the District, Andrew
b. Duvall, has called the attention of the
Commissioners to the inadequate force
in his Office. and to the meagre salaries
that are paid TO those who are employed
there. The act creating the Office of
Attorney, passed in 1871, provided that this
office should have entire charge of the
law business of the District under the
direction of the Governor, and should
assume the responsibility for all suits
entered against or by the District Govern
ment.
Further it provided that the Attorney
should be required to furnish opinions in
writing to the Governor whenever re-
quested TO do so, and he should perform
such professional duties as might be re-
CURED of him. The Assistant Attorney
was required to be in constant consulta-
tion with the Attorney, and is charged
with the preparation of all cases for court
This law is still in force except that the
Attorney is responsible to the Com
missioners instead of the Governor When
the present form of District government
was organized the Attorney was also
charged with the prosecution of all cases
in the Police Court for violations of the
District ordinances. and a special assist
ant was provided for this purpose.
In his statement to the Commissioners.
Attorney Duvall says:
The appropriation for 1879 for the At
torney's Office was as follows: For Attor-
ney, S4,e00; assistant attorney, $1,000; as
sistant attorney, $3.50; clerk, $500; messen-
ger, sl92; in all $S.0l@.
The current appropriation for the At
torneys Office is as follows: Fer Attorney,
$4,000: assistant attorney, $4,000; special
assistant attorney, 81 1900: law clerk,
81, 200; messenger, $500: in all $1,000.
In the meantime the population of the
District has very greatly increased, and
the volume of the office business and court
litigation has been augmented at least
threefold. The working force of each de-
partment OF the municipal government
within these last two decades has been
largely increased. while the appropriation
for the efficient discharge of the important
duties Of the law department has been
advanced less than 81 coo.
In cities having about the same popula-
tion as the city of Washington, and with a
less volume of municipal legal business. it
has been found that true economy demand
ed more generous equipment of the law
department. For instance, the city OF Buffa- |
10 provides for corporation counsel. |
$1,000; city attorney, $4,000; deputy city !
attorney. $500; two deputy assistants. at |
S2,e00 EACH managing clerk, sl4O0: |
clerk, $1,000: two messengers, 5000 elch; /
two stenographers. 5000 each. and a pcIi e /
officer assigned by the police department. /
The city of Pittsburg provides for a !
city attorney, s., 900; first assistant. 81. 500.
with a clerk, 1000 and a stenographer. |
$1,000; three assistants. $500 each; a /
clerk, $20e0, and a stenographer, 81 900.
The city of Cleveland provides for a /
corporation counsel, $1,000; first assistant,
$500, second assistant. 81 500: third as /
sistant, $3.50; docket clerk. $3.50; stenog- |
rapher, Sl.l00, and office stenographers at !
$3.50 and $3.50. respectively.
The city Of Detroit provides for a cor
poration counsel. s., ,000: chief assistant.
$4,000; second assistant s.. 500; third and |
fourth assistants. 81. 800 each; one chief |
clerk. $1,000; one copy clerk 81 900. and
enc or more policemen assigned to office.
Newark, y. j., provides for corpora
ton counsel, $4,000: corporation attorney,
$4,000: assistants attorney, sl,500, besides
clerks. etc.
In each Of these cities the attorney is
free from expense for office rent Street
CouutlHndliOD cases nave required much
Tine and attention from the Office for sew
aral years past. The last Congress direct
ed the institution of twelve such cases, |
md proceedings have accordingly been
aiken. The preparation for and the prose
,ution of these cases would fairly occupy
he time and attention of one skilled at
orney. Special counsel was provided by
congress in the matter Of the prosecution
# the cases under the late highway ex-
ension law. The present pending con-
lemnation cases will require more time
nd professional attention than the pro-
eedings under that act
The Attorneys Office is net even pro-
ided with a stenographer. Such assist
nee, absolutely necessary for the conduct
business, has to be secured by the At
orney using the appropriation for the
Messenger and adding thereto. at his own
xpense, sufficient sum to obtain the
ervices of an office stenographer
Il respectfully submit that an appropria-
on should be made for a stenographer.
nd there also should be a first assistant |
ttorney, as is provided by the ordinance |
{ the city of Pittsburg who should have |
large Of all legal proceedings and all liti-
alton relating TO condemnations for |.
reefs. alleys, sewers etc. and the as |