Evening journal., 1914-06-24
Miles AND DICCES
GET THEIR OFFICES
Maryland Officials Are Con-
firmed After Three
Months Hold Up
SENATOR SMITH
LIFTS EMBARGO

WASHINGTON. June 24.-The nom
ination of Joshua W. Miles, of Som
erset county, to be Collector OF In
ternal Revenue for the district of Del
aware and Maryland, and that OF W.
Mitchell Digges, of Charles county, 70
be Naval officer were confirmed by
the Senate yesterday
Senator John Walter smith brought
forward favorable reports from the
two committees charged with the con-
sideration of these nominations,
asked that they be confirmed and was
gratified by a unanimous vote. Sena-
tor Lee was present, but took no part
in the proceeding.
Late Monday afternoon Senator
Smith conferred with members Of the
Finance and Commerce Committees
and annouced that he was ready to
withdraw any objection to the imme-
diate confirmation Of the two Mary
landers The chairman of the com
mittees at once poled their associates,
and favorable reports we're agreed to.
Smith Asks Unanimous Consent
Early yesterday afternoon there re-
ports we're handed TO Senator Smith.
who gave notice requesting an execu-
tive session of the Senate. When the
session began unanimous consent was
asked by the senior Senator for a vote
upon the Maryland cases, and this
was granted.
That Senator Smith would permit
confirmation was predicted Saturday,
following the announcement by Secre-
tary McAdoo that four out Of the
seven income tax appointments would
go to friends Of Smith.
IL was well known among the fol-
] lowers of the senior Senator in Wash
ington that he had made and would
make no charges against Miles and
! Digges involving their fitness for Of
fee; that he occupied an uncomforta-
BILE position with regard 20 the nomi-
nations, and that he was prepared TO
/ get out of the way and let them go
through with the first indication Of
recognition from the Administration.
This recognition came with the ap-
pointment OF three income tax Off
cials last Friday. Senator Smith was
not in Washington Saturday, bur he
took the first opportunity Monday to
withdraw his objections.
Yesterdays action is the first break
in the patronage deadlock between
Senators Smith and Lee Whether or
not other appointments go to Senator
Smith, it is not believed here
that he will again interpose obiec-
tions to the confirmation of Presi-
dent Wilson's appointtees to Mary
land offices. This means that any
other friends OF Senator Lee who
may be named will be able Ia qualify
without hindrance from Senator
Smith
Messrs. Miles and Digges we're
nominated by President Wilson on
March Il upon the recommendation
of Senator Blair Lee, The name
of Mr. Miles was at once sent
To the Finance Committee and that of
Mr.. Digges to the Committee ON Com
merce for the usual perfunCtory in
vestigation
In the ordinary course of legisla-
tive procedure these nominations
would have been reported within d
week or 10 days, gone TO the eXecu-
tive calendar and been confirmed at
the first executive session of the
Senate thereafter. Instead, however
Senator Smith asked that the nomi-
nations be held for time and the re-
spective committeeman proceeded to
hold the appointments.
Il soon developed that his purpose
was to block these combinations un-
iii he could have some understand
/ a frFr ou 20
where he and his friends stood. In
some quarters IL was believed that
the Lee appointments would be block
ed until Samuel x. Dennis, Smith {
candidate for the District Attorney
ship, was nominated.
At all events the nominations were
held for three months. Messrs. Miles
and Digges may qualify for their re-
spective Offices within the next few
days. Mr.. Miles must give a bond oi
more than 100000 before he can
execute the oath of Office. His sal
airy at present is $4,000. It is ex
pected that this will be increased
probably to $4,000 within another
year The salary of Mr.. Digges vii
be $4,000.
BY recent legislation the deput,
collectors of internal revenue ant
other bonded officials of the collec
tors Office at Baltimore we're removed
from the classified civil service Thi
fact will give Collector Miles a mum
Der of desirable appointments entire
. ly aside from those in the income
tax service.
r Secretary McAdoo has announced
however, that all appointments in th'
Offices OF the revenue collectors o
5 the country must first be submitte,
- to him before they are made. TIT
) recommendations of the collector
= while not final, will undoubtedly hayi
| ereat weight with the secretary.