Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-29

The report says: THE proposed arrange
ment is thus less than the present arrange
ment by 135 clerks at an annual cost of
Sli9. 140. This, added to the previous saving
on account of the transfer from the regis
ter's office, referred to herein, makes a saw
ing for clerical services of 14S clerks. $191-
600 per annum This estimate does not make
any allowance for clerk hire in the office of
the Attorney General. nor for any force that
may possibly be required for concluding the
work under the present system in the con-
trollers office or in bringing up to date the
work In the various auditors offices
The preceding table shows a direct saw
ing and this sum would be considerably
augmented by the discontinuance of many
books and the saving of much station cry,
making the direct aggregate saving by this
report considerably over 100000 The con-
siderable saving of money by the carrying
out of the recommendations of this report
is a small consideration compared with the
advantages which will be gained by proper
check, expeditions and efficient, of the dis
bursting officers accounts and the facility
afforded by the more systematic arrange
ment of the accounting offices. The present
system of accounting is practically but one
check. as the audit of the controller is final
and Independent of any examinations or au-
dts previously made and the government is
protected by the accounting branch only SO
far as the audit of the controller is efficient.
Prompt Work.
THE proposed change will cause prompt
settlement of all officers accounts, with an
appeal from the decision of the auditor,
whereby review or revision of the account
can be had by the controller. This will do
much toward removing the irritation and
friction that is known to exist between the
officers connected with the administrative
departments of the government and the
governments accounting officers: and this
prompt settlement will be a greater protec-
ton to the government in all respects than
pOSSibly be had under the present r.
rangement.
The proposed system, besides providing
for prompt and efficient check upon dis
bursting officers accounts and advances to
them, will also expedite the settlement of
claims without in any way destroying the
efficiency of the check now had. The dis
pensing with the countersignature of war
rants by the register will facilitate the busi-
ness and take away no necessary check, as
the countersignature of the first controller
upon warrants of the Secretary of theTreaS-
ury, which countersignature is based upon
information as to appropriations kept in the
ledgerS in his Office upon information con-
tained in the settlements of accounts made
by the auditors, or upon information con-
tained in the requisition asking for an ad-
vance. affords as much protection as is now
afforded by the countersignature of the
register. and the delay and circumlocution
made necessary by the present law in the
Office of the latter will be avoided. The
recommendations as to the governments
books of account will afford the Secretary
of the Treasury the opportunity of render
Ing correct and authentic reports to the
financial operati and condition ofthe gov
ernment. Such reports can be based upon
information taken from books of account
which are up to date and which can be
balanced and proved. This improvement
alone will be of incalculable advantage to
Congress, the executive departments and
to the people"
Decreasing Agents.
The report in explanation of the bill also
says:
ut is clear that the present mode Of set
Ting accounts does not answer the de-
mands of public justice economy; and it
is also clear that the divided responsibility
does not protect the government. The aim
of the present bill is to place greater re-
sponsibiIty upon the auditors who are now
enga gei in auditing accounts; TO hold them
responsible not only for the settlement of
accounts and claims that come to them
but also make them responsible for the ad-
vancing of money 10 disbursIng officers
their responsibility in the latter case being
that they shall disapprove such acquisitions
for said officers If they have not complied
with the law in the rendering of their ac-