Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-29
DISTRICTS FINANCES.
Auditor Petty's Showing Of thu
Money Matters.
THE CITY'S BALANCE SHEET
Reforms Recommended In Matters Of Admin
istering Financial Ahairs-The Need Of .
Disbursing Omcer-The One Payment Sys-
tenn and Its Advantages.

Mr.. j. L. Petty, auditor Of the District, today
presented to the Commissioners Q report Of the
financial operations of the District government
for the fiscal year ended June 80, 1880. The
figures are set forth in three exhibits. The
report says:
Exhibit A IL detailed statement Of the
revenue account showing the balance in the
treasury July l, 1883, receipts from one-half Of
the appropriations made by Congress for the
District Of Columbia, collections from tax
levies licenses, markets, fines and other sources
and per contra advances made by the Secre-
tary of the Treasury upon acquisitions Of the
Commissioners for the expenses of the govern
ment. together with the balance remaining to
the credit of the District at the close Of the
year. This method Of stating the revenue &C
count. presented now for the first time in an
annual report, differs materially from the form
heretofore used in the yearly statements of this
Office, but as it is simple in arrangement and
easily understood it IL offered in the hope that
it may commend itself to the approval of those
who are interested In the study Of District
finances.
Exhibit B is a statement of receipts from all
sources other than those contributory to Dis
trict revenues. 1t consists of collections from
water rents and taxes and special funds. for
which the government acts merely as agent,
collecting and holding them in trust for the
individuals entitled to receive them.
lures, consisting first of payments by the Com
missiOners in checks drawn upon the treasurer
OF the United States with whom, under the law,
all moneys advanced upon requisitiOn are de-
posted. and second, by acquisitions approved
by the Commissioners in favor, respectively, of
the officers of various charitable institutions
and OF the treasurer of the United States an
ex-officio commissioner of the sinking fund on
account Of the bonded debt, which disburse-
ments in detail are required by law to be re-
ported annually to Congress.
THE CAsH-PAYMEET SYSTEM.
The system Of cash payments, to which refer
ence was made in my last annual report, after
brief but eminently successful trial was dis
continued In January, 1890 very much to the
regret of the iaborers. whose interests were
sought to be and undoubtedly were subserved
in its adoption The return to payment by
check was in Difference to the opinion of one of
the principal accounting officers Of the treas
advantages of the cash system, yet deemed
1t such radical departure from
methods previously in vogue as to be of doubt
full authority and advised that recourse be had
to Congress for such legislation in the premises
as would place its legality beyond a peradven-
ture- In keeping with this suggestion Il bill
was introduced at the last session of Congress
providing for disbursing officer for the Dis
trict of Columbia. but it failed to become Il law,
mainly. it is believed by some of those whose
advice was sought upon the subject by the COM
mittee having it in charge. because it was too
broad in its scope and relieved the Com
missioners of responsibilities imposed by
the organic act. l have been assured,
however, that a measure creating disbursing
agent with limited and well-defned powers
would meet with the hearty approval of the
accounting officers of the government and can
not doubt that upon proper representation to
Congress it would speedily become a law. Such
an officer should be subordinate to the auditor
of the District of Columbia and charged with
the duty Of paving laborers. salaried officers
and minor claims for supplies in cash, leaving
to the Commissioners, as now, the settlements
of the larger and more important obligations
of the government to the contractors upon the
public works. The end sough. might easily be
accomplished by clothing the pay clerk of the
auditors office with the necessary authority,
placing him under bond and furnishing requi-
site facilities for the discharge Of the addi-
tional duties which would thus devolve upon
him. Co..
DIFFICULTIES OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM.
There are many arguments which might be