Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-19

MONEY IN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
TREAsuRERs EMPLOYEES AND CIVIL SERVICE
REFoRM-AsKISe INCREASE OF SALARIES.
Treasurer Huston, in his annual report for
the fiscal year ended June 80, shows that the
net ordinary revenues amounted to S403, 0SO.-
$50, q sum but twice exceeded in the history of
the government. The increase over the year be-
fore was $1,000 929 Of which gil. 725. l91 came
from internal revenue. The ordinary expendi-
lures were 1921, 736, 4S6, an increase of s15,-
7ss,s71 over those OF the year before. The
growth Of the revenues therefore a little
greater than that Of the expenditures and
there would have been falling of in the lat
ter but for the increase in pensions. The sur
plus revenues were Sl05, S44, 4s6. Of which s20.-
3O4214 was paid out in premiums on bonds
purchased According to the warrants the re-
ceipts Of the Postoffce Department were sell
106O41, and the expenditures S6701 1868, an
increase OF between five and six millions
both sides.
THE PURLIo DEBT.
The difficulties in the way of making plain
statement Of the liabilities Of the Treasury and
OF the public debt are pointed out and the
changes recently made in the debt statement
explained. The total obligations Of the Treas
ury on all accounts were S1,S10.67S.475 on
June 80, 1882 and Sl,I22, 240. 1913 on June 80,
1880 The debt less cash in the Treasury was
Sl.050, 034.603 on the former date and 1854 3z5-
Os4 on the latter. Not counting certificates
OF deposit the debt proper, in the shape of
bonds and circulating notes. was reduced from
0.043.O36 to S1.l45. 400 $50. This was eff
fected at total cost of 1924. 952 243 for princ-
pal and premiums. Nearly 100000 of per
cent bonds and upward of 80, 900, 600 Of Al per
cents were purchased.
CIRCULATION.
In round numbers the circulation on June 30
Lofts - 4
certificates, S414OOO.OOO of silver and silver
certificates and 1928 900 900 of United States
and national bank notes. Not much change
has taken place in the movement of the United
States notes. There WAS a decline of activity
In the issue and redemption of gold certificates
with a new increase OF only three and bali
millions IN the amount outstanding. The
landings were mostly of the large denomina-
tons, which are used in the collection of Gus
toms and the settlement Of clearing house
balances IN New York. The absorption of
legal tender silver into the circulation. in the
form of the certificate of deposit, has been
fully up TO the means of the Treasury
for supplying II. The fresh issues OF certif-
Gates took up the years coinage of standard
silver dollars and three millions more There
was also an outflow of between two and three
millions OF fractional silver coins which en-
courages the hope that with good management
the Treasury, IN the course of few wears
more, may be relieved of the redundant stock
OF these coins for some time on hand. On the
3Oth OF June there were nearly ~. OOO. 600 of
uncurrent gold and silver coins i'll the treasury,
besides SIX millions in half dollars at San Fran
CISCO which are much worn. The sppropria-
ton of $4,000 for the year Will serve for the
recoInage OF only about S45G, 0O0 of silver.
COUNTERFEIT NOTES
representing an aggregate viIie of IS 479 were
presented at the office, ali increase of % 200
over the year befo-e. There were rel cted
1916 spurious silver coins of win Il greater
part were dollars. An appropria IN of $500
was made IN September for the Iemption of
certain notes. described by their numbers
bearing the titles of the National City Bank of
Lynn. Mass; the First National Bank of Jersey
City, NJ. ard the Third National Bank Of
New York. which were stolen from the office of
the controller of the currency prior to 1869 and
fraudulently put in circulation. These notes.
but not certain o,her notes stolen from several
banks. will be redeemed at the Treasury in the
order OF their presentation.
BONDS TO SECURE NATIONAL BANK CIRCULATE
There was decrease of less than $4,000, 900
In the bonds held on depoI.t y secure national
bank circulation. Seventy .;iree banks we're
discontinued as repositories and eight new
ones were designated. The re mption of
bank notes amounted to nearl! 10 900 OCO
decrease of upward of Sls, 0OO, 900, as compared
with the year before.
TREASURY VAULTS AND SALTS.
The attention of Congress has been called to
the condition of the vaults and safes in the
Office, with an appeal for means to provide
others OF modern design. and also for an in
crease OF the force OF watchmen. CONGRESS-
granted the men, but chose to authorize the
appointment of = commission of scientific or
mechanical experts TO report on the best
method OF safe and vault construction before
taking other steps. The treasurer urges that
no delay be allowed to interfere with the early
attainment Of the object In view. He also sug-
gests that as he is a bonded officer he should be
allowed
TO SELECT HIS OWN FORCE OF CLERKS,
without thu restriction of the civil service law,
while that law might govern as regards dis
missals. Recommendations for the increase Of
the watch and messenger force are renewed.
The suggestion Is made that If some expedient
could be devised by which the repeated
handling of the silver coin in the various Offices
o. the treasury could safely be avoided it would
be an important advantage.
CONTINUED EMBARRASSMENT
has attended the work of supplying the country
with paper currency. from deIsyI and failures
In filling the treasurer's acquisitions for new
notes. The treasurer argues that it is puerile
to allow so small difficulty as the printing of
q lew thousand sheets OF paper to become an
obstacle IN the discharge of public business and
an annoyance 10 the people in their money
matters lie suggests that greater fexibihty
might be gwen To the currency if gold certif-
Gates Of the denominations Of five and ten dol
lars were issued.
CLEAN MoSEY.
He also urges the necessity Of an appropria-
ticn for the transportation Of the United States
paper currency to Washington for redemption.
pointing out that since 1883. when the appro-
priatlOu was stopped, most of the worn notes
have found their way to the subtressurles where
where they have sorted out and forwarded to
the treasury, the expense being charged to an
other appropriation. Wi "a perhaps q trifiug
additional outlay the pc could be kept sup
Piled, free of cost to them, with good clean
and fresh paper currency. thus greatly lessen
ing the danger OF counterfeiting. The laws and
practice hereunder relating to abraded or
otherwise uncurrent coins referred to as
possibly capable OF amendment SO as to ex-
tend to the metallic circulation.
TREASURY SALARIES TOO Low.
The treasurer claims that the salaries paid
TO the officers Of the treasury are inadequate
compensation for the duties performed, being
less than those paid In well-managed private
institutions and less even than paid in the
subtreasury in New York. In support Of this
claim ne adduces a statement of the work per-
formed IN the treasury and subtreasuries, which
is placed IN comparison with similar data reiat-
ing to the Bank of England. From this il APP
pears that the nine suotreasuries employ 236
persons. with the total pay OF $3.50, 070. or
of 6OQ whila ,ha tra..r-y