Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-25
MANY APPLICATIONS
Seekers After Positions in the
District Service.
PROSPECTIVE OFFICES
THE ASSISTANT ASSESSORS IN
CHARGE OF PERSONAL TAX.
Question Pending Before Congress
Doubt as to Appointing Power
President or Commissioners.

IS
According to present prospects there VIII
be seven positions to fill, and 1t seems to me
there are million applications already IN
hand" declared Mr.. H. H. Darneille, the
District assessor, today, in speaking of the
offices created in the District service under
the terms of the Senate amendment to the
District appropriation bill providing for the
levying of a personal tax. Commissioner
Ross, who has charge of the tax depart
ment, agreed with Mr. Darnelle that the
number Of applicants seemed to be legion.
1t is declared that since it has become
practically assured a personal tax division
Is to be established in the assessors ofhce,
hundreds of applications have been re-
ceived by the Commissioners and by the as
SCISSOR for the new places. AppHcatlohs
have come from Michigan and from Maine.
The matter has not been given serious con-
sideratian as yet by the Commissioners be
cause of the fact that the law creating the
personal tax offices has not been passed.
and it is not absolutely certain the appoint
ing power will remain with the Commas
sionerS.
According to the Senate amendment the
appointments art to be made by the CON-
missioners, but it is understood there is d
feeling among some of the leaders OF the
House that the appointments should be made
by the President, by and with the advice
and consent OF the SENATE II Is lllt Soii-
sensus of opinion among all District resi-
dents and those who will be Immediately
affected by the personal tax law, however,
that the appointing power should be in the
Commissioners.
Provisions of Senate Amendment.
According to the Senate amendment there
are to be appointed two personal tax APP
praisers, or assistant assessors in charge
of personal tax matters, as the title may
eventually be fixed. These appraisers are
provided with a salary of $1,000 year and
the positions are surrounded with degree
of permanency which makes them very at
tractive. In addition to the appraisers
there are to be appointed two clerks, one
a. 81 400 and one at 81 O00 and three in
spectors at $1,000 each. The inspectors will
accompany the appraisers and assist in
their work of fixing values on personal
property. AS the personal tax amendment
now stands, the District assessor will be
chairman of the board of appraisers and
supervise it's work.
The applcat iOns received from the more
prominent residents of the District and
from outside are for the choice positions on
the board of appraisers a $1,000. There are
hundreds of other applicants, however, who
request anything from appraiser down to
inspector or clerk
A great many of the applicants have been
unusually active during the past week or
ten days and have secured influential back
placed before the Commissioners Many
seeking the places have called personally
on the Commissioners. Quite number of
the applications for clerkships and inspec-
torships have come from former census
clerks who have been affected by the re-
cent dismissals.
Prominent Candidates.
Among those who are more prominently
mentioned in connection with the appoint
ments as appraisers are Alexander McKen-
zie the deputy auditor of the District; Mr.
w. B. Bryan, Mr. Henry Strasburger, Mr..
Dewitt Arnold, Mr.. Hobart Edgar Berrian
of Maine, Mr.. S. T. B. Kalbfus. assistant
assessor in the assessors office; DR.. A. P.
Pardon Mr. George E. Emmons and Mr.. D.
OC. Callaghan. Mr.. Mckenzie is not an
applicant for one Of the places, but it is
stated on good authority nevertheless that
he has good chance.
Mr.. Bryan has not made application for
one of the places, but, like Mr.. Mckenzie,
is being strongly urged by his friends and
by prominent people who are acquainted
with his ability in the line of work to be
performed by the appraisers.
Mr.. Henry Strasburger has a powerful
local backing. He has been Endorsed by
hundreds of merchants and others of prom
inence and is making a strong bid for
place on the board Mr.. Strasburger is we'll
known locally in banking and real estate
circles.
Dr. Pardon is well known. He has a
very wide circle of friends, and indorse-
ments for him have been forthcoming in
large numbers. Mr.. Emmons has been in
dorsed strongly and so has Mr.. Arnold. The
latter is also well known in banking and
real estate circles.
Mr.. Berrian. who halls from Maine, but
who has resided in the District number
of years, has an influential backing in Con-
gress.
w. H. Smith of Michigan, formerly Of
he hac cd for N
office under the new provisions of the law,
and Sigmund ]. Block has applied for APP
pointment as one of the inspectors. Mr..
Block is an ex-detective and is Endorsed as
being eminently qualified for the place he
seeks
There are number of clerks now employ
ed in the assessors Office temporary
| rolls, who, if the civil service rules be APP
| piled, would be placed in the clerkships and
made inspectors in the personal tax depart
ment. AS stated above, however, the en-
| tire matter is held in allegiance on account
| of the fact that the law has not yet been
passed. 1t is believed, however, the Senate
| form of the amendment will eventually be
adopted.
Vacancy on Board Of Surgeons.
In connection with the office seeking for
personal tax places, the Commissioners
| have also been overwhelmed with applica-
| lions from doctors, young and old, for the
| vacancy on the board of police and fire
| surgeons, created by the resignation of
DR.. Clifton Mayfeld. The Office is not a
very remunerative one, paving only $40 a
| month, but is being sought with the avidity
| that might be expected when $4,000 place
lis at stake. There have been so many ap-
| plications received and from so MANY
| worthy and competent physicians, the Com
| missioners have been at loss to know how
| to act in the matter. Commissioner Ross
has cut the Gordian knot, howsver, and has
| sent the following recommendation to his
| associates, which will be adopted:
| 1.-THE amount Of time taken up every day
| in discussing the subject of appointments
| Of police and fire surgeons, and the vast
| amount Of excellent material offered in
| duce me to submit motion to the follow
! ing effect: That all applicants for the posi-
ton named be notified that the civil serv-
| ice commission will be requested to hold
| an examination for that position some time
in the month Of July, the qualifications to