Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1943-11-05
Senate Confirms
Negro as Collector
Internal Revenue

WASHINGTON,D d. c., Oct. 81
The United States Senate today
confirmed the appointment of Presi-
dent Roosevelt Of James W. john
son as Collector of Internal Revenue
for the Third New York District.
This district is the second largest
internal revenue area in the United
States.
Johnson is the only Negro in the
country holding such a position.
During several Republican admin
istrations this position was held by
Negroes as the chief political plumb
in New York.
Senator Robert Wagner after
the Senate's confirmation without
opposition last Wednesday offered
the following statement for inser-
ton in the Congressional Record:
It is a privilege to endorse and support
the nomination of James W. johnson as
collector Of internal revenue for the third
New York collection district, in place OF
Joseph T. Higgins, who recently resigned
to become candidate for the city court
bench.
Mr.. johnson has had long and distin-
guished career in the service of his COM
munity, State and country. After Rradua-
ton in 1917 from the academy of Howard
University In Washington, d. c., he en-
tered the College of the City of New York.
Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the Army
fNa hat
with the Field Artillery.
On returning to civilian life, he received
his Bachelor Of Laws degree from New
York University in 1926. He engaged in
the practice of law, and served as attorney
for the II. o; L G. and as special counsel
for the Paul Lawrence Dunbar Apartments
and the Dunbar National Bank.
He was appointed chief, Office deputy coll
lector of the third New York collection dis
trict on April 81, 1899, later was promoted
to the position of assistant to the collector
with supervision over the office and field
divisions. He completed specialized courses
in taxation and received the degree of
Master OF Laws from the School of Law of
New York University, in June 1910, Since
the resignation Of Collector Higgins, Mr..
johnson has served as acting collector.
In addition to this background of ex-
perience and legal scholarship, Mr.. John
son has been active in community affairs
and national defense,
He served as regimental adjutant of the
Three Hundred and Sixty-ninth Infantry,
New York National Guard, converted and
redesignated Three Hundred and Sixty
ninth Coast Artillery (AA), from No
vember 1888 to December 1910, under four
commanding officers. He holds the New
York State Long and Faithful Service
decoration for 10 years service in the New
York National Guard. He Is a graduate
OF the National Guard and Reserve Officers
Course. 1887, of the Infantry School, Fort
Benning' Ga; Since the onset of World
War No. 2, he has served as deputy war
den and military aide of the thirty-second
precinct Of the New York City Civilian De-
Tense Service. During 1912, with the as
sistance Of volunteer instructors from the
Fifteenth Regiment, New York Guard, he
conducted an intensive course of basic
military drill instruction for the air raid
wardens Of the thirty-second precinct.
Mr.. johnson Is married and has been a
resident of New York City since 1911, He
Is former national president of Phi Beta
Sigma Fraternity and among his affilia-
tons are the American Legion, Veterans
Corps, Fifteenth Regiment. Harlem Law
yers Association, National Bar Association,
Beaver Ramapo Democratic Club Delta
Sigma Kappa Fraternity, and the Reveille
Club of New York.
The appointment of Mr.. johnson to head
the second largest collection district in the
country Is a splendid and deserving rec
ignition Of the merit principle in advance
ment in Government administration. It
reflects also, In these Notwithstanding times,
the ever-increasing recognition of equality
OF opportunity in our national life for all
men and women Of ability, regardless Of
race or color.