§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether in view of the fact that out of 600 clerks to surveyors of taxes, 373 had served permanently in such offices for periods ranging from five years to thirty years and upwards, he can explain upon what grounds the Treasury regard such clerkships as only of a temporary nature; whether he is aware that the surveyors of taxes strongly condemn the present system of clerical hire, and recently presented a petition to the Board of Inland Revenue praying for their clerks' establishment, in the interests of the revenue and the public; and whether taking into account the surveyors' recommendation, the lengthy service of the clerks, and the fact that they are engaged upon work of a confidential nature in connection with the income tax, he will institute an inquiry into the status and treatment of these clerks.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) The question of substituting established clerks for the personal clerks employed by the surveyors was considered in connection with the surveyors' memorial last year and also on other occasions. For some years a considerable number of established clerks were employed, but the arrangement was found to be unsatisfactory, and was abandoned in 1893. The present system is preferred, not only as being more economical, but also as more convenient for adaptation of the staff to the requirements of the localities.