Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-04
Change in the Custom Of Property
Owners Probable.
EFFECT OF VARICK HAWKINS THEFT
A Habit Which Causes the CoIec-
tor Much Extra Work.
THE COLLECTORS DUTIES

1t is believed the theft committed by
Messenger Hawkins from the safe of Col
lector Davis will change one feature at
least of paying taxes. Heretofore it has
been the custom for a large number Of
taxpayers to defer the payment of their
taxes until the very last day allowed by
law. and then to rush in, and. finding a
long line of taxpayers ahead of them, to
slip the tax bill, with the money In an en-
velope. and hand it to the collector of
taxes or to one of his assistants This was
considered as a dangerous practice, but
the money always balanced, and Collector
Davis was satisfied to accommodate the
taxpayers if they chose to take such a
chance. No receipt was given in return
and the property holder went away with
absolutely no evidence that he had paid
his taxes. 1t Is now pointed out what an
opportunity this practice afforded a dis
honest empioye to make away with almost
any amount. without fear of detectio
= Previous Loss.
But no me ney was ever missed until d
few days before Hawkins decamped with
nearly 5000. and then it was but SO. IL
seems taxpayer in May came to the Of
flee On the very last day. and, following
the precedent, put his tax money in an en-
velope with the BILL and handed it 20 one
of the clerks He waited a month for his
receipt bat it did not come, and, think
ing the delay was caused by the large
amount of extra work, did not worry for
another month. But the tax receipt did
Eot materialiZe, and, fearing something in
the shape of an error in recording the
taxes, he called the matter to the attention
of the collector. The latter Immediately
called Hawkins and,put the matter in his
hands. directing him to make thorough
search of the stubs and check receipts,
and discover. if possible. the mistake. The
taxpayer insst sted, after a search fail
ed TO disclose the missing funds. that he
had paid his taxes. Another search was
ordered and Hawkins was engaged on 1t
when he decamped. 1t is now believed he
distracted the so. and, finding 1t had been
called to the attention of the collector and
that an investigation would surely follow,
he carried into effect the bigger robbery
Might Have Made Bigger Haul.
He might just as we'll as stated before,
have stolen $4,000 or twice that amount
Take for example. the last day of the
November payment, when all taxes were
payable in one irstallment- On that day
the receipts of the office were considerably
over s1O,0oO OF this amount it is estimat-
ed that between $1JO.UDO and $4,000 was
in cash.
The collector has been criticised for not
depOsiting this money in some bank but
investigation proves this to be impracti-
cable. since l. was necessary to have the
bill and amount at hand in order to post
the books. The force of the collectors
office Is small, and 1t has been found to
be impossible for the force, even when
working over hours to post more than
100000 or, at the highest estimate, $4,000
a day. The balance is put in the safe until
the opportunity presents itself and the
bills can be posted.
II 1rioo
would gather up at the close of the day all
the envelopes containing the money and
place them in the big safe. He was thor
oughly conversant with the system, knew
the envelopes contained money and could,
without the slightest chance of detection
just as well have distracted twice the
amount he did steal and no one ever be
the wiser. The taxpayer could have pro-
tested In vain that he had paid his taxes
and referred to the practice that had long
been in vogue, but the collector could not
have been held responsible. He would,
10 protect himself. ask for the receipt, and
the defrauded taxpayer, not having one
would have received nothing.
Taxpayers Take Risks.
When it is known that the collector is in
no way responsible for the chances the
taxpayers take IN handing in their taxes
in an envelope, it is believed the practice
will be discontinued. and property owners
will be more prompt in paying the levy
1t is urged IN support of this that there is
10 good reason why they should defer the
payments urtl the very last day Like
death. taxes are certain. and must be paid,
ana IL would be far better, il is held bot h
as protection to the taxpayer and the
unfortunate clerks who are compelled to
work over hours, TO pay the taxes earlier
In the month. and thereby insure proper
application. and distribute as well. the
great amount OF work incident over the
ha.r
few days. when mistakes are certain to
occur
The Safe Combination.
If Hawkins knew the combination and
every one believes he did. ne must be given
credit for great shrewdness. No one other
than the colleo tor and the cashier was sup
posed to know the combination As an ar
gument that he did know it, the fact is
pointed out that he has been connected VIII h
the office number of years and had
ample opportunity to acquaint himself with
~ rms Is good reasoning. were II not for
the fact that Collector Davis changed the
combination when the District offices we're
moved from LIST street. When the collector
was installed in his new quarters. the first
thlns ne did was 10 change the combina-
tlon IL was net because he suspected any
body. he told The Star reporter TODAY bi1t
simply TO insure safety.
Collector Not Careless
The collector resents emphatically the in
ference that this money was lost because
OF carelessness on his part. He points out
how II is impossible 10 put any better check
upon the money received than the present
system. and argues that one of the condi-
tiors TO the administration of the Office of
collector Is that the clerks must be honest.
This Is especially true, he says when the
taxpayers crowd in on the last day and
rush his small force almost beyond human
endurance. and add to their responsibility
by handing In the taxes in sealed enyelopes
when they know full well he has no chance
TO open them and check the amount as
correct. All such receipts must be laid
aside until some future time, when the
rush OF work will permit their attention.
But the money has gone. the thief has
decamped to parts unknown. and like thf
former who locked his stable after his
tOrse had been stolen, Collector Davis to
DAY changed the combination once again.
VIII inspect Colony Land.
SAN FRANCISCO. September 4-Con,.
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