Evening star., 1938-05-13
AUDITOR Donovan
URGEDBY COLLINS
FOR ALIENS POST
Outstanding Qualifications
of D. C. Budget Officer
Cited to President.
46 YEARS OF SERVICE
TO DISTRICT RECALLED
Choice Would Elevate Strictly
Local j. Product, an Expert on
National Capitals Problems.
BY JAMES E. CHM.

BY JAMES E. CHINN.
President Roosevelt was urged today
by Chairman Collins of the House SUBJ
committee on District appropriations
to appoint Maj. Daniel J. Donovan.
District auditor and budget officer, as
successor to Commissioner George E.
Allen.
Representative Collins told the Presi-
dent Maj. Donovan is far better quail
field than most other men in Wash
lngton for the commissionership and
pointed out the appointment would
serve as fitting tribute to his As years
of service in the municipal govern
ment.
Meanwhile the possibilities of ap-
polntment Of woman as successor to
Commissioner Allen were being dis
cusSed today as the list of available"
District residents continued to grow
Two Women Mentioned.
The names of Mrs. Henry Grattan
Doyle, president of the Board of Edu-
cation, and Mrs. Agnes K. Mason, vice
chairman of the Alcoholic Beverage
Control Board, were among those Of
fered by their friends The District
has never had a woman Commits
sioner, although years ago a woman
was nominated but not confirmed
One other name added to the list
was that of Joseph J. Cotter. an attor-
ney. who has been active in the affairs
Of the State Democratic Central Com
mittee for the District of Columbia
His name was suggested four years ago
when Commissioners Melvin C. Hazen
and Mr. Allen were appointed
In discussing his Endorsement of
Mai. Donovan, Representative Collins
said:
Mai. Donovan is not a candidate
for the commissionerdlip, and did not
seek my recommendMgf. 1 know he
is unaware of my actioft.4s 1t was purely
voluntary, because I sincerely believe
Maj. Donovan is the man for the job"
Fourth Commissioner"
AS head of the Appropriations Sub
committee which frames the Districts
annual supply bills. Mr. Collins has
had a rare opportunity to observe the
work of Mai. Donovan and to marvel
at his familiarity with problems of the
local government In fact. Mr. Collins
has often referred to Mai. Donovan as
the fourth Commissioner, knowing.
of course. he does not bear that title,
although his salary is the same as that
of Commissioner-S9o 900 a year.
Moi nnnN,-oy, &c 81.
product" There are no legal residence
requirements that would bar his ap-
pointment. He was born and reared in
Washington. educated in its schools.
and has been working for the munich
pal government since the knee pants"
age.
Began as Auditors Clerk.
Q Records at the District Building
show Mai. Donovan was Just 16 years
old when he entered the municipal
service as clerk in the auditors Of
f1ce-the Office he now commands.
Once he left that office during his
progress up the ladder of success to
become secretary to the Board of Com
miSsioners. But that was only for
few years. When he returned he had
the title of auditor.
That was back in 1919. In the sub
sequent years he has been given
numerous other titles The most i'm
portant, perhaps, was that of budget
officer. There have been few special
committees or commissions the Com
missioners have created in recent years
that Maj, Donovan did not head. He
has more titles and more jobs than
any man at the District Building.
Served on Draft Board.
Even during the war period. Mai
Donovan was called on for important
extra curricula activities. First. he
was made an executive officer of the
Army Draft Registration Board. and
few years later became director of the
draft for the District.
Maj. Donovan is 81 years old now
But his appearance and his tireless
energy belle his age.
If Maj. Donovan should get the an
pointment, he will be the second vet
eran in the District service to be SO
honorea & Mr.. Hazen advanced from
the rank of District surveyor to his
present position as president of the
Board of Commissioners.