Evening star., 1933-04-21
FACES
70 D. c. OFFICIALS.
Donovan, Richards, Brown,
Watson Affected by New
U. S. Proposal.

Fears that the administrator pro-
posal for retirement Of all 30-year Gov
ernment employees would sweep out Of
District service as many rs q score ot
its most prominent and trusted execu-
tives arose today as the new economy
move was studied at the District Build
ing.
Definite determination Of the effects
of the retirement plan proposed late
yesterday by the Bureau Of the Budget
had not been reached at noon today
by District oflcials. since onicial state
ment Of the retirement plan was lack
ing at the District Building.
Unless the plan is modified, or un-
less a new Interpretation is placed on
the plan, however. 1t appeared to in
formed oficials that approximately 70
of the principal District department
OF on enactment Of the proposal.
In Retirement System.
The District personnel Is not by
legislative act definitely a part of the
Government civil service body Of Gov
ernment workers, 1t Is explained, al
though the District employees are made
subject to civil service classification and
regulation. The District employees are
included, however, in the Government
retirement system.
Therefore. 1t was the unofncial opin-
ion of leading District omciab that II
was the intent of the Federal admins.
tration to include the District in the
plan seeking the automatic retirement
July l Of all employees who have been
80 years in Government service, unles.
specifically exempted by the President
II this Interpretation be found to be
correct, and unless the plan Is modi-
fled, or wide exemptions granted, 1t ap-
peared that the economy act would fall
heavily on outstanding District officers
A check Of District records showed
approximately 20 Of the major District
officials in key positions have served the
Government for 80 years.
Heading the list of District omctak
who have a service record Of more than
80 years is Maj. Daniel ]. Donovan
District V,ditor Maj. Donovan en-
tered DiS.iict service at the age OF l5
and has served the Government AZ
years. In addition to being veteran au-
ditor for the District. he Is the budget
oficer of the local government and Its
personnel oficer for statutory employees
Another veteran District omcial whc
appears to be subject to retirement
under the plan is william P. Richards
District assessor, who entered the local
government work in 1891. He has an
enyiable record and his work has from
time to time won commendation from
leading members Of Congress. He has
been head Of the assessors ONCE foI
many years and is generally recognized
as an outstanding public servant.
Daniel E. Garges. secretary TO the
Board Of District Commissioners. has
been In District service for 43 years and
has held his present position for many
years, acting as secretary through nu-
fnerous administrations. He frst en-
tered the District service In 1890.
Mai. Ernest w. Brown, superintendent
OF the Metropolitan Police Department
has been in District service since 1896
and since his rather recent elevation to
the head Of the police force has won
commendation from leaders both In and
out Of public service.
The plan also would hit George S.
Wilson, director of the District Board
of Public Welfare, who entered District
service in 1900.
Fire Chief Affected.
Another veteran District ofncial
whose service is widely recognized and
respected Is George 8. Watson. CHIEF
engineer of the District Fire Depart
ment who entered the District service
In 1901
-. n nor,r, ry,cLJoo pyefrjct slisp
ist, first entered District service in 1897
but since there have been periods during
which he has been out Of the local
Government work 1t did not appear
certain today whether he would come
under the 3O-year service proposal.
Other prominent District omcials
whose service records indicate they
would be subject to the automatic re-
tirement proposal include the fol-
lowing
D. w. Holton, superintendent OF the
Water Department: Chatham Towers,
District tax collector; w. D. Clark, jr.,
deputy collector of taxes: Z. H. Grove,
registrar Of the Water Department;
DR.. William C. Fowler. District health
oficer; Morris Hacker, supervisor OF
city refuse; NJ G. Hargrove, purchas-
ing officer, and L. S. johnson, John
T. Bardrof, Edward p. Fletcher and
Frank A. Gunther, assistant District
tax assessors.
Several District officials made the
point today that the Government is
receiving the most efficient service
from employees, who have proved their
worth, between the ages of IS and 60
years, due to the experience and train
ing they have obtained during earlier
years of service.