The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-23
DECLINED GOVERNMENT JOB.
Atlanta Man Had Something Better
of His Own.

Washington, Aug 22.-An Atlanta
man holds the record for having twice
declined an invitation to enter the pub
lie service after having passed a high
ly creditable examination before the
Civil Service Commission. For person
al reasons, the name of this remark
able gentleman is withheld by the
treasury officials. He is, however, said
to be one of the most enterprising and
prosperous business men in Atlanta,
engaged in the manufacture of general
machinery, engines, boilers, motors and
dynamos, and is doing business which
realizes something like $4,000 annually.
| This is as far as the description given
out by the treasury officials goes.
The circumstances surrounding this
somewhat unique and almost unprece-
dented case, were brought out by a cas-
ual visit of the hero of the story to the
Treasury Department yesterday He
was passing through Washington on
his way North to enjoy his summer va
cation which includes a trip to Halifax,
Nova Scotia, and the Buffalo EXPOSE
ton, including other points of interest
in that section of the country. He
simply called at the Treasury Departz
ment to pay his respects to the treas
ury officials and express his thanks
for the twice Offered appointment which
he was obliged to decline.
The records of the department. show
that more than a year ago this young
gentleman, who Is now less than 30
years old, conceived the idea of enter
ing the service of Uncle Sam in a cler-
ical capacity. He received a designa-
ton for examination by the Civil Ser
vice Commission. He passed an ex-
ceptionally creditable examination and
received a very high rating, especially
in mathematics and accounts. A few
months ago, the treasurer of the Unit
ed States, who is striving to strengthen
his force of bookkeepers and account
ants by taking in young and ambitious
men with view to promoting them 20
the higher grades, made a draft upon
the Civil Service Commission for a $500
year clerk. The civil service COM
missioners were attracted by the ex-
ceptionally clean papers of the young
man from Atlanta, because they were
so businesslike and presented such
neat clerical appearance, and accord
ingly certified him for the appointment.
The position was duly rendered him,
but he reluctantly declined IT, stating
that at that time he was busily en-
gagged in an enterprise with his broth
er, which he could not abandon. A
few months later, Treasurer Roberts
made another call upon the Civil Ser
vice Commission for a small saIaried
accountant, and again the Atlanta man
was notified that a position In the
Treasury Department was open to him.
In a very courteous, busnesslike let
ter, he, the second time, declined the
position for business reasons. In the
meantime 1t appears that he has be-
come part owner in the manufactur-
ing business which he says aggregates
about $4,000 a year.
During his visit to the department
yesterday, he created a very favorable
irnpfesison upon the officials by his
bright alert manner, his pleasing per-
sonality and up-to-date business ideas.
He was born in Pennsylvania and aft
erwards went to Wilmington, Del,
where he entered the Technical lnsti-
tute at that place, and completed a
four-year's course OF study. He OBJ
tanned the means for his college educa-
ton by selling morning and afternoon
newspapers while at college. After fin
ishing his course at the Institute. he
went to Atlanta, Ga, and there en-
gagged in business with his brother. In
this era of machinery and electricity,
success seems to have attended his