The Washington times., 1908-07-25
Commissioner Morrow Says
Proposed Changes Have
His Approval.
FISCAL COUNCIL
TO BE CREATED
Will Correlate Work of Four Fidu-
ciary Bureaus-Friends Defend
Davis Administration.

The proposed changes meet with my
full approval
JAY j. MORROW.
This statement. made this morning
by the Engineer Commissioner OF the
District, practically assures the four
transfers IN the District government an
noVnced by The Times Of yesterday
f G. Davis, from collector o. taxes to
the board of District assessors; G. Q.
Rogers, from disbursing officer TO col
lecCor Of taxes; Louis c. Wilson. from
the board Of District assessors to dis
bursing officer, and Alexander Nc
Kenzie. from the realty tax branch of
the board Of assessors to the personal
tax branch. vice Wilson.
Commissioner Macfarland is now out
of the city. He is expected TO return
Monday. The understanding at the Dis
trict building is tha. as soon as practi-
cable thereafter these transfers will be
finally discussed and ordered
May Go Into Effect August I.
September is the date suggested for
having them go into effect. but this is
purely a guess. There is ground for be-
lfeving. indeed. that in order 10 pre-
vent avoidabIe unrest the Commissioners
may order the changes to take place
August l. which is next Saturday. While
this course would hurry the heads OF
the three bureaus in arranging TO trans
% fer their offices. it is yet believed that
the six days notice it provides might be
Buffcient.
When the changes come they are 10
bring into existence a new eounciI-a
,F
bers are to be Mr.. Richards, as assessor;
Mr.. Rogers, as collector; Mr.. Wilson,
as disbursing officer, and Alonzo Twee-
dale, auditor Of the District.
To Create Fiscal Council.
To this body the Commissioners will
assign the general task Of correlating
the work Of all the four bureaus repre-
sented. The purpose is chiefly that the
methods Of the several offices shall cor
respond wherever possible. But It is
also that the judgment Of all four coun-
cilors shall be available for the solution
Of any problem presented especially for
the upbuilding of the two bureaus
which are now believed to be most sus-
ceptible Of Improvement. Although no
ono in authority has said so, it is un-
derstood the reference is to the office
Of the assessor and the Office Of the col
Iector.
The presence in this council Of four
young men, all ambitious, all trained
10 modern Office methods, all but one
entering new fields, and all ready 10
cooperate. is regarded as a reasonable
guaranty of a general uplift in the
four fiscal bureaus Of the government.
Friends OF Mr.. Davis have been quick
TO contradict the statement that the or
fee Of Collector under his management
was behind the times. As men having
business to transact there, they hold
that the service has always been
prompt, courteous. and reliable II
there was any good ground for unfavor-
able criticism, they said this morning,
it was not such as would appear 20
the man who came to pay his taxes or
to ask information of the Collector con-
cerning them.
Real Estate Men Support Davis
Among a dozen or more real estate
firms who were asked today regarding
the work Of Collector Davis. none could
be found who was disposed TO criticise
either the methods Of Mr.. Davis or his
efficiency. A few did not care to be
quoted, for private reasons connected
with their individual business. The
opinions of the others follow:
SwartzeH, Rheems & Hensey Com
pany: We have always regarded Mr..
Davis as a most efficient Collector. and
prompt and courteous besides. We be-
heve his ability 10 be unquestionable.
He IS a competent official of long-tried
service. and we do not believe this TO be
a proper time for his retirement from
his present office"
Stone & Fairfax We have the nigh
est regard for Mr. Davis and his mast
Continued on Fifth Page)