Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-22
DUVALL'S ESTIMATES
FOB OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION
COUNSEL.
Asks Increase in Salary for His Second
Assistant-Other Recon-
mendations.

Only one important Increase In the salary
list Of his ONCE Is asked for in the annual
estimate for the ensuing fiscal year, sub
mitted to the Commissioners today by Cor
p0ration Counsel Duvall. Heretofore Sec
ond Assistant Corporation Counsel F. II.
Stephens has drawn 81 600 compensation
annually. For the year ending June 30
1907. Mr.. Duvall asks that Mr.. Stephens
salary be made s., 200. stating that the Sec
ond assistant has charge of matters relat-
Ing to insurance and taxation, and that as
he renders valuable aid in the preparation
OF opinions. briefs, etc., and In trying cases
In the courts his compensation should be
more nearly commensurate with the duties
exacted. 1t Is also asked that the title OF
messenger now held by Gus A. Schuldt
be changed to ''clerk' and the salary ad-
vanced from 5000 to $72O. because Mr..
Schuldt performs duties practically of law
clerk.
In concluding his estimates Mr.. Duvall
says: take this opportunity to again
creased appropriation for judicial expenses.
This appropriation. for many years, has
peen inadequate, and a deficiency, there
rore has become an annual necessity. The
s spHo'a''oh Sn0uio De increased TO
II his desires are met the salaries of
Mr.. Duvalrs office next year will total
$13.62O. as compared with 1880 last year.
Work In Twelve Months.
In the annual report of his office, wh;oh
he submits In connection with the est-
mates, Mr.. DuvaH summarizes the work
done during the twelve months ending
Juno 80 last as follows:
There were 4O3 written opinions by the
corporation counsel at the request OF the
commissioners, and 227 written communal
cations to interested parties relative to
pending municipal matters and suits.
Oral opinions have also been rendered in
numerous cases submitted by various Dis
trict officials concerning matters OF current
business arising in the administration of
their respective departments.
Numerous contracts and leases and
bonds to secure performance of contracts
have been examined and certified as to
correctness and suff1ciency OF form. Many
special leases and contracts have been pre-
pared.
There has been q remarkable increase in
the number of tax deeds, over 600 having
been prepared and examined in this office.
This Is largely due to the position taken
by the Commissioners that It is compulsory
on the part of the holder OF a tax sale
certificate to take his deed after two years
redemption period expires for his own pro-
cancellation is made at any time interest
is only paid for the two years at per
cent regardless OF the age of the certificate.
There were IS law cases. mandamus
cases, equity cases. certiorari cases, 342
lunacy cases. 10 justice of the peace cases.
IA condemnation cases; Is cases were ar
gued and submitted In the Court Of APP
peals of the District of Columbia, and 3
cases argued and submitted in the Supreme
Court Of the United States during the fiscal
year.
1.-The volume Of the work of the Office
continues to increase. The insurance de-
partment Of the police trial board alone
has occupied large part Of the time of
two assistants. The corporation counsel
or an assistant has attended several hear
ings before the board of Commissioners
and three inQuests by the coroner"