The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-06-13
TO CONSOLIDATE OFFICES.
Evans Leaders Behind Movement to Make
State One Collection DiStrict-CIeyer
Political Move.


Consolidation of the Second and
Fifth internal revenue collection dis
tricts of Tennessee. This is the latest
movement among we'll known republi-
cans of this state. 1t is proposed to
make one instead of two collection dis
tricts in Tennessee, and within short
time the matter will be brought to the
attention of the commissioner of inter
nal revenue at Washington. Whether.
the movement will be pressed during
the interim service of the present COM
missioner or be deferred until after
Pearl Wright takes charge in Decem-
Der is question that has not yet been
decided, but the movement has already
been launched and those behind it pro-
pose to move vigorously.
1t is claimed by those supporting the
movement that there is no occasion
whatever for two revenue districts in
Tennessee; that one collector can more
efficiently and economically administer
the revenue affairs OF of the state than
two. BY way of argument it is point
ed out that the present collector for the
fifth district, which embraces in gen.
eral way Middle and West Tennessee,
has twice as many counties under his
Jurisdiction as the collector for the Sec
ond district, embracing East Tennes-
! see.
II is not contended that the business
of the government is more expeditions
Iy or more economically administered
| in the latter district than it is by Col
lector Coldweil, and it is therefore cor
tended that if both districts we're con-
solidated and administered by one col
lector not only would there be saving
of the salary of one OF the collectors
but there would also be saw
ing in office expenses amounting to sew
eral thousands of dollars year.
While these are potent arguments
and will no doubt carry much weight
with the administration when the mat
ter is brought to its attention, it is sur
missed that there is more behind the
movement than a patriotic desire to
save Uncle Sam few thousand dollars
O year. In fact, it looks very much
like clever move on the part of the
triumphant Evans hosts to dislodge the
erstwhile "easy boss" from his last
stronghold.
| Outside of Internal Revenue Collec
tors Coldwell and Butler and one OF
two other offices in East Tennessee
Brownlow men control no patronage in
Tennessee. In fact, the two collection
offices are the only Offices with muct
political power and patronage now con
trolled by the adherents of the Firs
district congressman, and if these otfic
es Gould be consolidated and an Evans
man appointed the Brownlow contin
gent would suffer blow from which
they could hardly recover.
Prominent Evans leaders in the stat'
have admitted that they contemplated
movement to consolidate the districts
In fact, it is probable that the matte
would have been brought to the atten
, tion of the Washington authorities be
fore this zine had it been for the boon
that Fl. Clay Evans received for com
missioner of internal revenue. Hi
? friends feared that to take the question
up during that time would effect hi
chances for receiving the appointment
Since, however, the commissioners
/. ship has been definitely settled ther
!, is no longer reason for delay. Ever
! effort will be made TO press the matte
/, to final consnmmation before the cam
b paign between the factions opens mex
year. With all the patronage whic
. they now control and that controlle
Q by the internal revenue offices, th
}. Evans people figure that the utter dt
= molitien of the Brownlow machine
! once their terror, would be q comparl
lively easy achievement.