Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-20

refusing to discuss the case in any of its
phases.
A veteran Of the civil war, former presi-
dent of the Federation of Labor of the
District Of Columbia and an active civic
worker, Mr. e. w. Oyster, successor to
Mr.. Kalbfus, has lived in Washington
since 1868. During that period he has
held number of important government
positions, including the forefnanship of
the Congressional Record. For twenty
years more he has made study of
assessment and taxation methods in cities
of the United States and foreign nations
and is regarded as an expert on the sub
ject.
The new assistant assessor was born
In Sunbury. Pa, in 1916. and served in
the civil war as a member of Company
M of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry
Coming to Washington at the age Of
twenty years, he obtained work as a
compositor on the Congressional Globe
now the Congressional Record In 1867
he went into the government printing
Office as a compositor and ten years later
was made foreman of the Congressional
Record, position he filled from 1877 to
1881.
From this office he went to the census
bureau as a proofreader, and in 1885. to
the patent office. In 1856 he returned to
the government printing office and was
made foreman of the specifications dlNis-
ion, but political changes resulted in his
| removal from the position three years
later.
Short Service in Pension Bureau.
His next service was as a special ex-
aminer in the pension office, from 1893 to
1894. President Cleveland having been
elected for his second term. Mr.. Oyster,
in 1894. obtained his old position as fore
man Of the specifications division in the
government printing office.
This office was placed under the civil
service in 1895, and two years later
Public Printer Palmer removed Mr..
Oyster from the position Of foreman of
the specifications division. but furnish
ed no charges. In 1898 Mr. oyster was
reinstated by the civil service commits
sion and appointed to a position in the
Interior Department. from which he
was later transferred to the office OF
the auditor for the Navy Department
Since 1866, or during his entire resi-
dence in Washington. Mr.. Oyster has been
a member of the typographical union.
For four years he was president of the
Federation Of Labor of the District of
Columbia, now the Central Labor Union.
He was chairman OF the committee on
legislation Of that body which, In 1S.2o,
made successful fight to have the eight
hour law apply to the District of Co
lumbia. He was a delegate to the conven-
ton of the American Federation of La
Dor held In Chicago in 1884 and in Wash
ington in 1885. and also represented the
local typographical union at the con-
vention of the International Typograph-
ical Union in Denver in 1889.
The new official is an active member
Of the Petworth Citizens Association
and OF the Federation of Citizens AS
sociations He is married and has three
children. His residence is at 9Th and
Detective at the Door.
The assessors Office in the municipal
building presented a scene of quietude
throughout the day, although de-
tective stood on guard just outside the
room to prevent any trouble that might
develop through Mr.. Kalbfus arriv
ing to find his position occupied by an
other Until late hour this afternoon
the deposed official had not put in an
appearance at the building.
e. w. Oyster, his successor, to whom
the oath Of office was administered by
DR.. William Tindall. secretary to the
board of Commissioners, at 10 O'clock
last night, arrived at the municipal
building at o'clock and, accompanied
by Assessor Richards, called upon Com
missioner Newman to pay his respects.
He returned to the assessors office and
took the seat formerly occupied by Mr..
Kalbfus, but was unable to gain access
to the latter's desk, as the key is in the
possession of Mr.. kalbfus.
Mr.. Oyster received many friends dur
Ing the day, among them associates i'll
local civic organizations. The position
in the Office Of the auditor for the Navy
Department, which Mr.. Oyster yesterday
resigned, carried a salary of ST. 500 per
annum. AS a member Of the board OF
assistant assessors of the District Mr.
Oyster will receive $1,000 year.
Order Comes as Surprise.
The action or the District heads. late
yesterday afternoon. in issuing an order
removing Mr.. Kalbfus on charges of IN
efficiency, neglect Of duty and ma1ea-
sance in Office" came as a surprise, as
it had been anticipated generally that'
following the refusal of Mr.. kalbfus to
retire from the service Of his own voii-
tion. the Commissioners would take sew
eral days to consider plan of action.
The order for the removal from once
Of Mr. Kalbfus. which was signed oy
Commissioners Newman and siddons ana
Capt. Mark Brooke, acting Engineer
Commissioner, was issued at 40 pm
The assistant assessor had left the oiice
and it was o'clock last night oeIoTe an
official had located him at MS summer
home in Halpine, Md, near HochViiie'
and served the order ,,,
Mr.. oyster went to the District build
ing to take the oath Of office as MI;
Kalbfus' successor. The new official
was acquainted Sunday with the TACT
that his predecessor was cohsiusrlas
phn a.