Evening star., 1940-10-24
Overwork Blamed for Death
OF Mai. Donovan, D. C.. Auditor
City's Unofficial Boss
Served 48 Years.;
Budget His Specially

place NV. He was "a.
Suffering from a heart ailment,
he was ordered home october 6 for
a complete rest. Last Sunday he
suffered a relapse and was placed
in an oxygen tent, where he re-
manned in an unconscious condition
until his death.
former Edith E. Eichhorn, and his
two sons, James P. and Daniel j.
Donovan, jr.
Death Blamed on Overw0rk.
AS members of his family eX-
planned, and his friends knew. Maj
Donovan, unofficial boss Of the
District, died from overwork. He
had not taken a real vacation for
10 years and the intensity of his
work and worry on the budget was
something which caused his family
annual concern.
Dad was just played out Mr..
Donovan, Jr,, said today.
The tentative time for the funeral
has been set at 10 am. Saturday
from the residence. Interment will
be in Glenwood Cemetery.
Responsibilities Added.
Rounding out half a century in
public service, Maj. Donovan was
regarded as one of the most valuable
men in District employ. His ability
and capacity were such that added
responsibilities gravitated to him
through the years.
In addition to fighting the battles
of the District budget before Con-
gress, Maj. Donovan at one time
was District personnel officer, ad-
ministrator of the retirement law
and efficiency rating system, director
of w. P. A. finances in the District
and District budget officer.
He held more titles than any
other District official, and his ability
was recognized by a $4,000 salary,
which equaled that of the District
Commissioners. His friends often
had advanced him for the post of
Oul llC 1lCNCl vac a
candidate.
A native of Washington. where
| he was born January 81, 1876. Maj
Donovan was the son of Daniel and
Katherine Hayes) Donovan, men,
bers of early Washington families
He attended public schools here,
Business High School and George
town University Law School.
At the age of Is Maj. Donovan
was appointed a clerk during 1892
in the Office of the District auditor
He was promoted through various
grades to deputy auditor, and in
1915 was made supervisor of District
Fairgrounds That same year he
was named secretary to the Board
of Commissioners, and served in
that capacity until appointed execu-
tive officer of the first Draft Regi-
stration Board here in April of 1917
Maj. Donovan served as director
of the draft in the District from
June, 1917. to March, 1918. He re-
signed his Army commission in
1919 was appointed District auditor
on August 80, 1919, and made budget
officer two years later.
During his career Maj. Donovan
saw the District develop from a
small community. with an annual
expenditure of about $4,000, 900 to
the present metropolis with budget
700 per cent greater.
Found Time for Civic Work.
Although his duties multiplied
with the passing years, Maj. Dono-
van found time for civic activities
He was leader in numerous Com
munitv Chest and Red Cross Roll
Call drives, and gave his time freely
to other public enterprises.
Perhaps more than any one man,
Maj, Donovan had the elaborate
financial setup of the District gov
eminent at his finger tips. He
kept track of changing laws and the
shifting financial relationship be-
tween the District and the Federal
Government
He was able to quote endless facts
and figures from the history of this
complicated relationship and proved
a valuable legislative adviser both
to members of Congress and Com
missioners. AS District auditor he
had to check receipts and expendi-
lures, contract agreements, trust
funds. etc, and as budget officer
he dealt with District and Federal
officials and officers of the Budget
Bureau:
Mai. Donovan was chairman of
the Commissioners Committee on
Tax Delinquency and the Commit
tee on Tax Revenues.
From time to time the Commits
sioners talked of lifting some of the
work from Maj. Donovan's shoul-
ders, but almost invariably new jobs
were added instead of removed.
Duties Curbed Sports.
Mai. Donovan's hobbies were base
ball and golf-sports he had to neg
lect for his office duties. He was
an enthusiastic walker, however, and
until recently tried to get in 3-to-
smile hike daily.
Mai. Donovan was a member Of
the Central Citizens Association,
the Board of Trade. Vincent B. Co.'S
tello Post, No. Is. of the American
Legion, of which he was the first
commander, and the Knights OF
Columbus.
Recreation for SeIectees