The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-18
ARMSTRONG WEARS. C0MP TROLLERSH|P.
President McLendon Said To Be More avorabIy Dis
 posed To Nomination

c. F. Armstrong;, deputy comp troller for the past Il years, will be promoted by the city commission Tuesday to the office of comptroller, to succeed II. Marvin Taylor, re- signed.
 This was regarded as certainty Monday evening after an all-dav conference of the commission, dur ing which Commissioners Harrison Echols and Cloe strongly support ed Mir. Armstrong and urged Presi- dent b. E. MeLendon, in direct charge of the comptroller's depart ment, to nominate him.
 The commission president said he would make up his mind before Tues day morning, and admitted that he had been impressed by the argu- nents advanced in behalf of MT. Armstrong. At city hall the inn place the deputy comptroller's name in nomination and thus insure his unanimous election.
 Strong delegations of citizens, in- cluding numbers of leading business men, were at the city building Mon day to urge the election of Mir. Arm strong. They pointed to- his long EeINlct anu HIS lIlOTOuBH knOWleQBe Of the workings of the department and declared his excellent record entitled him to promotion at this time.
 MT. Armstrong has not made formal application for the vacancy, but will accept if the position is tend cred him. He had no statement to give out in advance of the commits sion's action, hut made it plain that a n ncf to the city in any position to which the commission might assign him.
 At no time have President Mo Lendon's objections to Mr. Armstrong been on the grounds of inability to handle the affairs of the department h1ad was of the opinion that har- mony in the department could best bc promoted by the election of an outsider, but in view of the wide ! spread recommendations given MT. Armstrong, he now Is expected to nominate him and give him trial.
 Several applications from out siders, most iof whom are certified accountants, have been filed with President McLendon, but in almost every case they have named salaries higher than previous comptrollers have received. The office pays S5,O00 a year.
 For some time President McLendon has been concerned over reports that friction existed among the officials and employees of the comptroller's department. He is determined to put an end to this condition, and while he has been of, the opinion that an outsider could best bring this about, he is expected to nominate Mir. Arm strong, discuss the situation with him fully. and then hold him strictly responsible for immediate restora- tion of harmony.
 At Mondays conferences. major ity of the con. mission members took the position that competent officials already serving in department should be promoted to vacancies wherever possible.
 Commissioners Harrison, Echols and Cloe supported Mir Armstrong as thoroughly qualified'' for the posi- tion. President McLendon conceded this and admitted that he was hesi- tant, only because of previous inter nal trouble in the department. Com missioner Dickson's view was that commissioners in charge of depart ments should be given free hand in selecting their employees. While he was personally inclined toward the promotion of MT. Armstrong he made it known that he would follow the custom of supporting the nominee of the department head. s...s. ,3e
 It is believed that the commission will fill the vacancy Tuesday without further discussion. in view of the strong possibility that President Me- Lendon will nominate MT. Armstrong.