The Washington critic., 1890-02-10
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
DISPENSED BY THE OIs6URSlNG Of
FlCERS OF THE GOVERNMENT.
Mr.. George w. Evans sc the Interior
Department Tells HV'v it is Done 90
Tricks of the Cierits- Honey Lend
ing Pests.

Mr.. George w. Evans sc the Interior
Department Tells Hvv tt is Done 90
Tricks of the Clerlts-5tOuey Lend
ing Pests.
There are hundreds of millions spent
annually by the Government through
its different agents in every city, town
and hamlet In the country, but few
people know that this enormous sum
comes from a small Office in the north
east end of the Interior Department,
known as the Financial and Disbursing
Division of that Department. At one
end of the room stands large safe,
seated around which are half dozen
clerks, who seem able to manage any
one bold enough to attempt robbery.
In the centre of the room is a large
desk, occupied by Mr. George w.
Evans, the chief disbursing officer of
the Interior Department, who has charge
of the finances in general. His offices
are so numerous that he is known as the
"Pooh Bah" of the Department.
Mr.. Evans started his career as a news
boy. He was bright and active, and
soon attracted the attention of some of
ficials who secured him position as
messenger in the Office where he now
presides, and where he has disbursed
hundreds of millions of dollars without
losing a cent.
The finances disbursed by the gentle
man aggregate sum of 5000 .000, 900
yearly and are divided under 700 heads.
T,1 nd
Land Office are the principal divisions
of the Interior Department that come
under this head. The remainder are
scattered broadcast throughout the
country, the Department having a
larger field and paying out more money
than any other under the Government.
MY signature" said Mr.. Evans to a
CRITIC reporter, 'is known in every
city and town in the country. ] well
remember one circumstance that hap
pened when was visiting small town
and had Just attached my signature TO
the hotel register. A gentleman, who
was standing near, tapped me on the
shoulder and said: 4 have seen that
signature hundreds of times, but never
before haveI had the pleasure of meet
ing the writer. The man was an officer
of the Government who had received
checks from me monthly but had never
before seen me. This is but one OF
hundreds of similar cases. | have
often had considerable trouble at banks
and other places where | have had to
be identified by my signature.
"Twice in each month | sign $500
pay slips in the Interior Department
alone, and pay to the holders at least
$500, 900 monthly. | have at times
some funny experiences with clerks
who try to draw their money! in advance
One man came into the office in the
early part of the year and excited t
great deal Of sympathy by a story Of
suffering in his family. At first We
permitted him to have his money, bu
as his visits got to be numerous,
called halt to his drawing any NOR,
money in advance. A record is kept il
the Office of all similar cases, and whel
they call once their names and excuse
are jotted down and are remembers,
on a second visit.
"Some time ago woman came to M
and said she wanted to get married, an(
must have some money to meet the ex
pense of the occasion. The books o
the office showed that she had beel
married five different times, so on tn
sixth her appeal was refused
There is class of men," said MI
Evans, lin whose way disbursing off
GERS of the Government like to thro'
every obstacle. speak of the 10 pc
centers, TO know one of whom is pos
|, tive misfortune to some of the clerks
. We, at least, refuse to recognize theI
,, on all occasions"