Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-26

Matthew Trimbie. member Of the
board of assistant assessors of the
District of Columbia since 1899. to-
day submitted his resignation to the
Commissioners.
William L. Beale, a real estate man.
was Immediately appointed to succeed
him.
No reason was given by Mr. Trimble
in his letter to the Commissioners for
his desire to withdraw from the Dis
board stated that the resignation had
not been anticipated
Immediately Appoint Successor.
Immediately following receipt Of Mr.
Trimbles communication, Commissioners
Newman and Siddons and Capt. Mark
Brooke. acting Engineer Commissioner.
went into executive session to consider
the appointment of a successor.
MIR. Beaie Is known to both the new
District officials and his selection to fill
the vacancy in the assessors Office was
unanimously approved. The appointment
was made on motion OF Commissioner
Siddons.
The appointment was one Of the quick
est ever made in the history of the local
government. No other candidate was
considered.
1t is understood that Mr. Beale him.
self d not know that he was being con-
.idered~for the Office until his selection
',ad~been aSreed upon
Takes Up New Duties August IS.
He will enter upon his duties August
), as Mr.. Trimtie had not taken his an
lal
aud the Commissioners decided to have
the resignation become effective at the
I'd of thirty days.
When questioned as to his policies
concerning taxation and assessment
matters. Mr.. Beale this afternoon said
that he preferred to make state
nents at the present time. Asked as
to whether he favors the sing.e-tax
theory advocated by Representative
Henry George and other members OF the
House District committee, Mr.. Beale
replied that likewise he would rather
not discuss that matter just now.
No persons. outside of the Commission
ers. knew that Mr.. Beale was being con-
sidered for the Office, it Is stated, and.
therefore. there were no Endorsements of
his qualifications, except the personal
opinions of the two civilian Commission
ers. who have known him a number of
years.
Satisfactory to Richards.
Assessor Richards was called to the
board session and told that Mr.. Beale
probably would be selected to fill the
vacancy caused by Mr.. Trimble's resig-
nation. The assessor, ii is understood
replied that the choice would be salts
factory TO him.
Surprise was expressed this afternoon
by District officials and employees ovel
the resignation OF Mr.. Trimble, which
was not announced until 1 o'clock.
Testifying before the House commtte,
last Thursday District Assessor Richard
stated that Mr.. TrimbIe was not compe
tent TO NIL the position of assistan
assessor In reply to questions put b,
Chairman Johnson of the committee, Mr.
Richards said that two years ago h
spoke to Commissioners RCdolph an
Judson In regard To one OF the assessors
He said he told the Commissioners TIT
man I'm question was too old. and that
younger man should he appointed in hi,
place. Pressed by Chairman Johnson
Mr. Richards stated that Matthew Trim
bile was the man OF whom he spoke u
the Commissioners, and after much urg
Ing and long questioning, stated that /
was his belief two years ago that Mr.
Trimbie was Incompetent that he shoul,
be replaced by younger man, and tina
Mr., Trimble knew nothing of real estat
values In the District of Co umbia," stat
ing in reply to a direct question by Chair
man Johnson that his opinion in regard L
Mr. Trimble Is the same today as II wa
two years ago.
Formerly Assessor.
Mr.. Trimble was formerly assessor o
the District. receiving the appointment
March Is 1890. He was made assistan
assessor December 4 lSg9
The newly appointed member of tn
board OF assistant assessors was born q
Point Pleasant. Mason county, w. Va
and Is thirty-eight years old. He has re
sided I'm Washington since 1903. being en-
Gagged for four and a half years in tn
real estate busiaess. He was formerl
connected with the real estate firm of
H. Bradley d Co., but has been In bus
ness for himself since the first OF tn
year. He is a democrat.