Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-30
SOME new DEVELOPMENTS
Assessor Richards Asks That Mr..
Horstmann Be Discharged.
LATTER IS NOT SAYING MUCH
Manner Of Appointment Questioned.
Appeal in Case May Be Made
to Congress.


bers CT that board arc through with the
matter which threatens to make a great
TODD at the District building there is
promise of accusations of unusual char
acter in the District government being
made. William p. Richards. assessor and
chairman ex-officio of the excise board,
formally asked that Mr. Hcrstmann be
discharged in a letter TO the Commission
ers today. The letter has not been made
public.
The members of the excise board resent
what they consider the overzealousness
and "officiousness'' of Mr.. Hcrstmann.
who is accused of acting under orders
from the Commissioners, and especially
Commissioner Johnston. If necessary the
excise board. it is said, will call on Con-
gress in some way TO show the indepsnd-
ence of the body. which is created by
Congress and which is not responsible
TO the Commissioners.
One of the elements of the row is the
supposed sharp difference of opinion be-
tween two well known lawyers, each OF
whom represents brewing companies. One
of these lawyers was refused a license
about the same time the other one was
successful. The unsuccessful one Is re-
ported as having said that the board was
not exactly what 1t should be as regards
the integrity of each individual COM
posing it. Mr. Horstmann followed the
accusations in this row very closely.
When the matter got to the excise board
the lawyer who was unsuccessful in the
instance referred to denied fatty having
made the remark attributed to him.
Lively Verbal Encounter.
Mr.. HOrstmanl was called before the
excise board this morning when he reach
cd hn hull
the boards Office was filled with accusa-
lions and determinations.
Mr.. Richards accused Mr.. Horstmann of
talking too much. Mr.. Horstmann denied
talking at all. Mr.. Richards then told
Mr.. Hortsmann that he should follow his
line of work as usual. Afterward MIR.
Richards expressed surprise that Mr..
Horsfmann had shown a disposition to
hold his position at all, as Mr.. Richards
had believed that after the newspaper
developments in the row yesterday that
the assistant clerk would resign.
Meantime Mr.. HOrStmann Is not saying
much. When the Commissioners take ac-
ton In his case he may have something
to say.
Exactly what the difference of opinion
is between Mr.. HOrstmann and his chiefs
would be hard to say in the absence of
anything definite from either side. 1t Is
safe to say, however, that the personal
side of the matter is narrowed to a fight
between member of the board and Mr..
Horstmann.
When Mr. Horstmann is asked about
that particular feature of his case he
looks wise and winks. When the men,
bers of the board are asked saeout it they
say that they are in control of the excise
situation, and that no one has the right
to take instructions from the Commits
sioners or the police regarding excise
matters.
Contention of the Board.
The matter of one or all Of the Com
missioners giving any instructions to a
clerk in the excise board may lead to
sharp discussion. The board holds that
ii is a body created by act of Congress.
and that it should report to Congress.
Mr.. HorStmann is employed under an
oath to the excise board. When he
asked for instructions he was shown
copy of the excise law and told to en-
force il.
Exactly what instructions have come
to Mr.. Horstmann from the Commission
ers, or particularly from Commissioner
Johnston, under whose recommendation
he first received his appointment in the
street cleaning department.. and after
ward in the excise board, cannot be
stated at present. as Commissioner
Horstmann takes the position that as
long as he Is an employe he should not
discuss such matters.
However, the members of the board
have talked so much about their as
sistant clerk getting orders from "out-
siders" that there is no doubt now that
when the board asks Mr.. Richards for
information concerning this case the
statute which hands the assistant clerk
directly in the excise. board will be
pointed at with unmistakable emphasis.
His Appointment Questioned.
1t developed today that Mr.. Horst
mann went into service as assistant
clerk and saloon inspector on an ap-
pointment which is considered an error
Commissioner Rudolph himself calls it
q mistake. but the order appointing Mr..
Horstmann still stands. The statute,
which may be taken to Congress before
this controversy is settled provides
that the excise board shall appoint
the clerk and assistant clerk. This did
not happen in Mr.. Horstmann's case.
but he was appointed by the board of
Commissioners, and so the order stands
on the official order book in the Office
of the secretary to the board OF
Commissioners. However, the excise
board simply accepted the appointment
and marked its acceptance SO that the
records show that it was done out Of
courtesy to the Commissioners.