New-York tribune., 1921-05-31
Looks
To W. ". Law .Jr.
L or Economy
Head of New State Tax De-
partment Now Becomes
One of Biggest Distribute
ors of Political Patronage
Governor Here To-day
Reduction of Number of
Officials to Handle Work
Is Cause of Anxiety

Walter w. Law jr, head of the new
State Tax Department, who under the
consolidation law will take over great
part Of the work of the State Comp
troller's office on July /, is one Of
the greatest political patronage dis
pensers in the state. In political cir
cles it is said that he owes his ap-
pointment to William l.. Ward, the Re-
publican leader of Westchester, upon
whom Governor Miller depends for ex-
pert advice
Governor Miller, VINO is due in town
to-day for a conference with local
leaders, is counting on Mr.. Law not
only for businesslike conduct of the
new State Tax Department, but he
also is expecting large economies in
departmental administration through
the reduction of operating stats. 1t is
this last prospect that has aroused Re-
publican leaders all around the state,
because there is a transfer tax ap-
pralser in every county under the old
law, and these transfer officials, who
have to do with the appraisal of tax
jurisdiction of Mr.. Law after July /,
the beginning of the states fiscal year.
Selection of Tax Officials
Under the old law tle Comptroller
used his judgment in the selection of
transfer tax officials. Under the new
law the number of these officials is to
be determined by a commission con-
sisting of Governor Miller, Senator
Hewitt, of Locke, chairman of the
Finance Committee of the Senate, and
Assemblyman Joseph McGinnies, chair
man OF the Ways and Means Commit
tee of the Assembly. This commission,
working in cooperation with the new
head Of the Tax Department, will de-
termine how many transfer men there
shall be and what they shall be paid.
The power OF formally appointing them
devolves upon MIR. Law.
The reorganization of the revenue
collecting agencies of the state is Of
especial interest to Republican crgani-
cation leaders because many OF the
district leaders in the FIVE counties in
the city are at present holding these
Jobs. In Manhattan Albert 7. Berwir,
Charles B. Largy, Anthony P. Ludden
and Clarence Schmelzel, all distric.
leaders, are counting on being taken
over by Commissioner Law, but they
will not know TO a certainty about it
until it is done.
On the Anxious Seat
Other appraisers on the anxious seat
are Assemblyman Harry Kopf, Major
Georga 3. Compton and Charles Swee-
ney, The last named is a Democrat
and in the reorganization is not likely
to be continued 1t is said that Gov
ernor Miller who once was State Comp
troller, thinks that the work in New
York County should be done efficiently
by five appraisers, instead Of eight, as
at present.
In the Bronx Peter Wynae, Ernest
w. Bradbury and Alfred W. Symonds
are the appraisers. It is said that
there will be only one under the new
law, and that that one will be Mr.
Wynne. In Kings the appraisers are
D, n. Ralston, Warren C. Price. Jesse
D. Moore and Charles S. Warbasse, al
district leaders. 1t is understood the
new force in Kings viii consist of four.
The appraisers now receive $4,000 a
year In Manhattan last year the
transfer men made appraisals which
resulted in the collection of more than
81, 900. The other boroughs were
far behind this in their respective ag-
gregates.