The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-03-03

Mr.. Walter ]. Brooks. Assistant Chief
Clerk Of the Pension ONCE, is one OF the
busiest men in the big red brick building
where the business OF one Of the most
important Of the Government bureaus is
! conducted.
BY virtue Of his Office. Mr. Brooks is
appointment clerk for the bureau, and in
an office OF this magnitude an ability and
rare discrimination such as he possesses
is needed in order that the personnel Of
the Office may be kept up 70 the stand
ard. Every case coming before him is
given careful consideration, and all de-
tails. except those OF a purely routine
character, are examined and passed upon
by him in person He may often be found
at his desk long after the majority OF
the official force has departed for the
day engaged in some work that needs his
immediate attention. The official career
/ Of Mr. Brooks is IN itself an interesting
history Of one who has devoted himself
to strict attention to business. and his
steady promotion has been entirely along
the lines OF the merit system
BoSn in New York he afterward became
citizen Of Philadelphia, which is still
/ his legal residence. In the latter city
he for a while engaged ia mercantile pur-
[ 8uAlDB subsequently, LDllIE 10 Md5ulLZ-
ton, where he served on the repotOriaI
stan OF one Of the local newspapers.
Entering the Government service on
July (. 1873 he received a temporary ap-
pointment as assistant messenger. With
out the aid Of political OF social influence.
but through the faithful discharge of his
duties. Mr.. Brooks has passed through
the several grades until called 10 his
present position
When in 1897 the present Commissions.
Hon. II. Clay Evans, assumed charge Of
the Pension Office, he desired a person
for the position OF appointment clerk
who was thoroughly familiar with the
working OF the Office from top to bot
tom, and OF UnQuestiOnable executive
ability. Without solicitation on his part
or that Of his friends, Mr.. Brooks was
selected 70 fill this important and some
times trying position. That he has filled
the once satisfactorily is evidenced by
the feet that he is now entering upon the
sixth year OF his incumbency. Mr.. Brooks
/ Is a graduate OF the National Law School.
Of this city, and the legal knowledge thus
acquired is often used IN matters con-
neeted with his present Office.
Mr.. Sterling W. Roberts OF the record
division Of the Pension once. is busy re-
( ceiving the congratulations Of friends by
I reason OF q recent promotion carrying
Z with il a very substantial increase in
/ salary. In 1893 Mr.. Roberts was appoint
| ed chief OF division IN the Pension once
I first serving as the head Of the mail d.
/ vision and later IN the army and navy
survivors division o. the same bureau.
In both divisions Mr. Roberts made him
self very popular with those who weIa
under his supervision and when, IN 1897
he severed his connection with the Gov
/ eminent service there was general regset
among bis host Of friends Throughout the
once. A year or so later Mr.. Roberts
reLS-E-,. % Washington and WIS imme-
diately appointed to a clerlship ia the
same division that he had so ably presided
over as chief Mr. Roberts IS a native Of
Hancock county. Georgia. q section Of the
country considered by those who have
been there as the garden spot u the
world" In the county seat, sparta, Mr..
Roberts was at one time the part owner
and editor OF the "Ishmaelite." q very
I unique country newspaper. whose bright
and witty columns furnished a stOTehouse
largely drawn on for clippings b. the
press throughout the State.