Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-29
Succeeds Praeger, Who Be-
comes Second Assistant
Postmaster General.
STEWART is RETAINED
IN RAILROAD MAIL SUITS
New Head of City Post Office Gives
Up Chief Clerkship Of Depart
meut-Has Excellent Record.

Merritt O. Chance, chief clerk of the
stPost Office Department, has been ap-
pointed by the President to succeed Otto
Praeger as postmaster of the city OF
Washington, according to an announce
ment by the Post Office Department,
made last night.
Mr.. Praeger will become second as
sistant postmaster general, in success
sion to Joseph Stewart. who has held
that position for seven years, and VINO
has resigned to take effect September 1.
Mr. Stewart has been retained by the
Department of Justice in litigation now
in the Court of Claims in connection
with railway mail pay. 1t is expected
all the changes will be made Wednes-
day.
Mr.. Chance who is widely and favor
ably known in Washington, has won
his way up in the ranks of the postai
service since December 10, 1888, Wheh
he began as an assistant messenger at
s1eo year in the Office of the first as
sistant postmaster general. he VIII
bring to his new position IN charge OF
iugton not only a valuab BILE experience
in the postal service, but record OF
achievement on President Tafts com,
mission on economy and efficiency. OF
which he was secretary
Born in Illinois.
Mr.. Chance was born at Salem, Marion
county, ILL.,. July 26, 1859. and he re-
tains legal residence at Mount
Vernon in that state. He lives in the
suburb of Kensington, and to all in
tents and purposes he is Washing
tenian. in thorough touch with the m
terests of the city and it's residents,
over whose destinies, so far as the i'm
portant item OF mail communications
and other postal affairs are concerned,
he will now have charge. Mr.. Chance
is a member of the National Press
Club, the Cosmos Club the Loyal Legion
and of Temple-Noyes Lodge, No. 81,
F. A. A. NJ.
The selection of Mr.. Chance as chief
clerk of the Post Office Department
was one of the first official acts of
Postmaster General Burleson. He sue
ceeded George G. Thomson. and when
appointed chief clerk. March 10. 1913.
a position which carries with it the
superintendency Of buildings of the de-
partment. and salary of $4,000 year,
he had served the public for twenty
five years. with a previous experience
rs chief clerk of the department from
1904 to 1908. When Mr.. Chance be-
gan work in the postal service the first
e. Stevenson, who later became Vice
President of the United States.
Postal Training Thorough.
Mr. Chance has an enviable record for
service and efficiency and his training
in Iostal affairs has been most thorough.
officials said last night. Serving
through the various clerical grades until
July. 1899, Mr.. Chance was appointed
chief clerk of the bureau of the fourth
assistant postmaster general, his first
position as an official. July ], 1901,
he was appointed private secretary to
Eiihu Root. who was then Secretary of
War. serving in that capacity until
March 4. 1904. when he returned to the
Post Office Department superin-
tendent of the division of supplies. A
few months later he was promoted to
the Office of chief clerk for the depart
ment, serving in that capacity until
February, 1908, when he resigned to
accept the appointment as auditor for
the Post Office Department.
After three years service in this
Office he was selected for the secretary
ship of the Presidents commission on
economy and efficiency and held that
office until he was recalled by POST
master General Burleson to again take
up the chief clerkship of the Post
Office Department
Praeger Is Promoted.
Mr.. Praeger. who is to become second
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