The times., 1898-09-14
Aggregate amount collected from all


sources 81 l63, 500 20
Mr.. Davis then proceeds with his report
as follows:
In the estimate submitted for the expenses of
this Office for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1900 ] have included the amount necessary TO:
an assistant cashier coupon clerk, and an addi-
uon 10 the salary of the deputy collector.
The cashier is responsible for all funds that
pass through his hands; his position is one that
requires care and unremitting attention. and
during the busy season, which covers than
half of the year, it Is impossible for one man to
satisfactorily discharge the duties of the office.
Ii is, therefore, necessary, il the District de-
sires to furnish the public with complete
ice, that assistant cashier be allowed.
Under the system in force in this office, the
coupons are detached from MI bills when paid
and turned over TO the auditor each day for eX-
animation and comparison with our daily reports.
1t will readily be seen that any loss or dscTep-
ancy between bills and coupons adds greatly TO
the difficulty in auditing accounts and entails
much labor and loss OF time TO the auditor,
well as TO this Office. and thus delays the prompt
transmission OF our reports 10 the United States
Treasury.
The system is safe. simple. and invaluable TO
this office but the business OF the Office has
reached that point where IL is absoutely necessary
that we should have clerk whose duty it should
be to coupon. stamp, and compare each bill and
see that the coupons are cared for and returned
to the auditor Then could always depend
upon the accuracy OF the coupons, while, with
who enter the bills do have time TO properly
examine and detach coupons; hence errors creep
in which not only annoying, but cause great
| loss Of time. The advantage of the coupon sys-
TEN and its great value to the office in numerous
| ways is so apparent that earnestly urge that
the necessary force 10 properly carry II out viii
! be allowed
Nv estimate of 5000 add tioual TO the salary of
the deputy collector-the amount originally
asked for being S2.O0O-is only fair c-mpensl-
| ton for the duties and responsibilities OF the
! position.
In accordance with a provision OF the law in
relation to and tax sales. approved February
| 2s, 1898 back no longer be ranceled by
the purchase OF property al tax sales While TINS
! law Is all that could be desired. II is a
I long step in the right rection, and viii doubt
less accomplish a great saving 10 the District.
| At our first sale held under its provisions in
! April. 1895. more lots sold and larger
| amount OF money realized than al any previous
( sale showing clearly that the effect of the new
. law has been to increase sales, and thus II adds
I 10 the revenues OF tne District.
As the result of the lack OF proper facilities to
| enable this offce to introduce modern methods
in the transaction OF its business, there has been
7 much unfavorable comment and taxpayers who
are Obliged 10 endure the yeXatious delays and
Z other ineonveniepces occasioned by the crowds
which throng the Office during busy seasons. have.
We a'e free 10 admit, just cause for complaint;
7 but We do the best with our present
force and facilities IN my report last year | pre-
sented comparative statement showing the
past ten wears. Mat true then IS true
now with added emphasis.
Our force is entirely inadequate to the busi-
ness demands Of this Office and unless the proper
remedy j. applied complaints must necessarily
( increase The fixtures OF the office are OF anti
quated pattern, arranged 10 meet requirements
OF thirty years ago and could not be remodelcd
10 meet present conditions. Our furniture is Ole
and dilaIidated made OF odds and ends, not al
all suitable for the purpose for which it Is used
and would not be toe:ated IL en- up-to-d4t'
Office. Both fixtures and furniture have suffered
much { ON the several mOvinEs TO which thel
have been subjected. and the alterations made L
fit surroundings.
In a word, TO afford taxpayers proper faciitie
for the transaction OF their bxSiness, addltiona
| clerical force more space. ana modern fixture
| and furniture are required in order that th
working force could be so utilized as to Civ
the best services with as little deiay as possible
With these changes and the addition 10 tn
1 force of assistant cashier and coupon clerk
the Office would be for several years equal to an,
demand made upon il. and prompt and salts
factory service would be afforded the public
Our success in collecting overdue personal take
BY means of the annual appropriation of Sl.5O
encourages TO ask the renewal OF the same.
The necessity for a horse and wagon to fscili
tate the outside business OF this office, especial
in the collection Of checks and making deposits
has been referred 10 in former reports, and W
consider il of sufficient importance TO again bTin
the matter to your attention. with the hope tina
it viii be allowed This addition to our facili
ties NGblu EItaAiA lt>oeli llit ldhllilf Ot io's
and the time saved by the messenger in maxim
, his rounds could be advantaceOusly used an
would be an actual saving to the District.
In conclusion, beg TO say that my recommeu
dation for additional force and facilities ar
necessary 10 meet the business of the Office.
therefore hope they viii have your approval an
receive favorable action of Congress. Further
more, desire 10 testify 10 the efficiency of tn
clerks in this Office. They have been found faitt
! fuI and competent and, Notwithstanding Ion
hours and exacting duties, they cheerfully an
promptly respond to all requirements.