The times., 1898-02-07
House &
Hermann,
Complete Homefurnishers,
9TH and I SITS.
HOLD DUMMY JOBS"
Clerks Paid TO Undo the Labor
of Others

Clerks Paid TO Undo the Labor
| of Others
| Twenty years time and $500. 900 in
money have thus far been given TO pub
| fishing the war records Secretary Alger
in his annual report states that twenty
more volumes will complete the publlca-
ton.
Ii is now proposed to curtail the work
and allow only six volumes for the re-
naming documents. This is to be done
in the interest of economy and to save
few thousand dollars after millions
have been thrown away by being di-
Ferted to other uses.
The War Record Bureau has long
been a subterfuge for ali kinds of ex-
penditures. The funds appropriated for
its maintenance have been utilized in
performing other work. This has con-
tinued until a great scandal has de-
Veloped. Even Congress is now hesitat-
ing as 10 whether additional funds shall
be donated for misapplication.
All the old soldier organizations are
taking steps TO bring the scandal OF the
War Records Bureau 10 the attention of
Congress. This originates in the dissat-
isfaction OF the veterans because they
understand that the records relating to
the arrest, trial, and execution of Capt.
Henry Wirz, will be suppressed.
For years a serious abuse has been
growing in the War Records Bureau.
The funds appropriated by generous
Congresses have been systematically di-
verted TO other purposes. A review Of
these abuses indicates that hundreds
of thousands of dollars have been mis-
applied to the detriment of the old sol
diers.
Four years ago it was officially an
nounced that the real work OF selecting
and copying the war records was COM
pleted. But there was no consequent
reduction of the force. Secretary La
mont discharged a few clerks, but ap-
pointed others in their place resulting
In a net increase. A well-informed
Army officer states that no more than
twenty persons are now necessary to
conduct the records TO completion. Yet
more than siXty-fVe persons are borne
upon the rolls at an annual expenditure
of $50 ,000 besides four or five Army
officers. Here, then, are fifty super
fiuous employees, many Of them high
priced ones.
There is undoubted authority for the
statement that fully one-half the people
borne upon its rolls are not employed
upon the war records work. This has
been the case for several years. just
how they are employed is an Interesting
story.
For several years some fifteen clerks
were engaged in indeXing the Confed-
crate archives, then under the AdJutant
General Another party, varying from
seven to fifteen, under direction of am
Army officer. have been engaged Tor
many years in classifying millions OF
yaIueless military telegrams belonging
to the department archives. These are
mere waste paper fit only for birds
nests This was the dummy job, so
called in the War Records Office, 10
which all appointees are assigned Tor
whom there Is no regular employment.
Tt is the standing joke OF the bureau.
1t is seriously asserted that this vast
accumulation of waste paper has thus
mulcted the war records appropriation
OF several hundred thousand dollars.
The present information is that an Army
officer, one 81. 500 clerk. one sl.600 clerk,
besides several 1000 and $500 clerks, are
still resurting and red-taping these dnpii-
cate kilograms. A few months ago tnis
fake Job employed a much heavier
force.
The Secretary of Wars private sec
retary and also his confidential clerk,
each at s., 900 per annum. are wholly
Maid out Of the war records appropria-
ton. there being no provision or law
for such offices. In the present iegis-
latiye appropriation bill Congress mas
been honest enough TO provide the head
of the War Department with private
secretary the same as othef depart
ments.
This with most of the other abuses,
10 a legacy from the last Administra-
tion. Mr.. Lamont's private secretary
during his entire term was paid out OF
the war records appropriation, at nrs'
s.. 600 and soon $2,400 per annum. Dur
ing his tenure this private secretary
made a trip to Europe OF seVefai
months duration, but his salary eo'-
tinued during his entire absence.