Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-12-27
Miss Matthews Promotion Dae TO
Study OF Taxation.

There is fiction abroad that the average
government clerk has a slim chance Of
getting on; that he or she does the drudgery
year after year. educates political superiors
In their work and goes along toward re-
tirement with little prospect or reward.
Once in while circumstance develops
to show how unfounded is that impression.
Occasionally government clerk energies
from the mass and takes a high position
in the service of the departments or even
oftener high position with some private
corporation.
Not very long ago former government
clerk found himself an Assistant Treasurer
OF the United States and further 'ound
President ready to promote him TO the
Treasurership. Others have become chief
OF important bureaus or heads of foreign
missions.
And last week President Hoover nomi-
mated Miss Annabel Matthews, who had
been an obscure clerk for years in the
Treasury Department. to be member Of
the United States Board of Tax Appeals
at salary Of $4,000 a year.
She achieved this job-one of the best
in Washineton-because she had made
herself an authority on taxation. She
studied the subject for years, first as a
clerk In the income tax section, then side
by side with the experts engaged by the
government to work over the loose system
That had been enacted during the war
period.
This woman clerk became so proficient
in her line that she attracted the attention
OF Thomas F. Adams. the leading tax
authority In the Treasury Department. Mr..
Adams was so impressed with her knowl-
edge and the soundness Of her JUDGMENT
he urged that she be sent to more than
one International tax conference as an
advisor.
Her speciality was double taxation and
in this, it is declared in Treasury circles,
she was better informed than any of the
men who served as her associates.
Anyhow. when the time ca me to gil the
vacancy on the Board of Tax Appeals
there was an unanimous Endorsement in
her behalf from all the high Treasury
officials and Mr.. Hoover made the appoint
ment. 1t was made. moreover, regardless
OF the fact that Miss Matthews is or was
in her youth Southern Democrat.
The appointee was born in Georgia and
has maintained legal residence in Gains
vile all her life. After graduating from
Brunau College she taught IN Georgia pub
lie schools for twelve years before coming
to Washington.
The World War brought her to WASH
ington, along with thousands Of other
young women and became clerk in the
Treasury Department. Almost Immediately
she decided to study law and took her
degree in Washington. She has never
practiced in the courts and did not seri-
ously consider active practice. Her idea
was to prepare herself for more important
government work.
For some years she has been an attor-
ney in the Office Of the general counsel of
the Bureau of Internal Revenue Originally
she was in the fling and auditing division
of the income-tax unit. Although it is
called unit" sctoully there are nearly
1000 persons engaged in that section.
During her work in the general counsel's
Office Miss Matthews prepared most of the
memoranda opinions on questions of law
arising in connection with income. estate
and corporation tax matters. These opin-
ions formed the bases Of the Treasury
Departments regulations and rulings.
When she takes her place on the Board
of Tax Appeals Miss Matthews will be
fully acquainted with the law and the back
ground Of most Of the rulings of that
board and the Treasury in important tax
questions. knowledge due to her having
originated most Of the data upon which
the rulings were made.