The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-12

IT HE best openings in the Govern
ment service for ambitions
young men are in the Treasury
Department. The salaries are not as a
rule any better than in the other
branches OF the service. but an appoint
ment to that department is always
looked upon as a stepping stone to
something higher.
A case IN point is the career OF MIL
ton E. Allies. formerly in the Treasury
Department, but now vice president of
the Riggs National Bank
Lyman J. Gage. for some time Secre-
tary of the Treasury. had seven offers
of employment from big financial con-
tended 10 resign. Big firms in New
York. Philadelphia. Chicago. and St.
Louis fell over one another as the say
ing goes, in their attempt 10 secure his
services. The salaries offered ranged
from $40, 900 TO $4,000 year. Mr.. Gage
finally settled upon the New York firm.
The Comptrollers Of the Currency
seem TO get the best positions when
they leave the Government serv-
ice. Charles Gates Dawes went from
that of1ce to a fruitless political con-
test, and after a fight of few months
accepted a place at the head Of a big
firm in Chicago. with an excellent SAL
airy and good prospects. James a.
Eckels. one of Mr.. Dawes predecessors.
also has an Office Of great Importance
and value in the same city. Mr. Hep
burn became vice president of the
Chase National Bank. in New York, and
Mr.. Lacy easily secured position with
a large insurance company
Comptroilers of the Treasury are not
chosen for these positions of trust be-
cause their names look we'll on the
prospectus. They make desirable on
GERS for many reasons: their chances
for studying at close range the financial
system of the country are unexcelled
and in their keeping are the state
secrets OF every bank and banking in
stltution IN the country.
The fact that a Comptroller Is in a
position to secure confidential inrorma-
ton. conduct a special study along GER
tain lines. and in a measure become a
specialist hardly puts him in a class
with the other employees of the de-
partment- As a rule he comes TO the
service with reputation as a shrewd
banker or a close student Of finance.
II is rare that n clerk rises from a
humble position in the Treasury % be
Comptroller.
Many gentlemen pass from the Office
Of the Secretary of the Treasury to good
posts in the world OF business. They are
men of ambition. nor are they men who
do dollars worth OF work for a dol
lars worth of pay. Mr.. Allies and Mr..
Vanderbilt went from the Office of sec
Rotary to the Secretary of the Treasury
70 good places, but they worked hard
during the Office day. and even harder
when it had closed. They made their
opportunities. and seized them after
they had made them.
Mr. Allies came TO Washington from
a country town in Ohio. He had re-
ceived. a fair public school education;
had tried newspaper work. and then de-
cided to enter the Government service.
He bagan as an assistant messenger in
the Treasury Department.
He did not stop to consider whether the
place was good enough for him or not,
but accepted IT. and determined to make
the salary OF SEQ a month increase as
rapidly as possible. At first he was set
to carrying the ice to coolers in sum
mer time and coal to the fireplace in
winter. He was stationed just outside
the door of the Commissioner Of Inter
nal Revenue. Above his head was big
gong. which the Commissioner sounded