Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-24
AUDITOR 7IMME'S REPORT
Legislation for Estates of Those Who Die
Abroad.
Importance of the Matter Pointed Out
inspection of Government
Books.

Ernest G. Timtne, auditor for the State
and other departments, has submitted his
annual report to the Secretary of the
treasury. Mr.. Timme says that the work
OF TINS bureau is In excellent condition
and Is as near to date as can be expected
Regarding a matter of considerable in
terest the report says:
The law requires our consular officers
abroad to take possession of the personal
estates of citizens of the United States,
other than seamen belonging to vessels,
who may die within their consular districts,
leaving no legal representatives, and TO
dispose of these estates conformably to
law (See sections 17O9-1711, Revised Stat
utes.) After the expiration of one year the
consular officer IS required to transmit the
balance due to the estate to the treasury
to be holden in trust for the legal claimant
together with jewelry and other articles
having sentimental value to relatives as
keepsakes. 1t has been the custom to keep
such articles in this office in a safe pro-
vlded for that purpose. (See paragraph
4Oo or the Consular Regulations of 1850
MY attention having been invited to the fact
that 1t had been the practice to file in the
safe sealed packages received from consul
ates without their actual contents being
known except from a description given in
the consular dispatches, which are in gen.
eral terms, | therefore directed that all
such packages be opened and an inventory
of same made
This examination disclosed that there are
bills of exchange. promissory notes and
other evidences of Indebtedness to such eS-
tates on which action should at once be
taken for their collection and deposit into
the treasury in trust for the legal claim
ant. There is. however, an absence of leg
1slation authorizing anyone in this coun-
try to collect the debts due to such estates
before delivery by this department. to the
legal representatives in this country, and
as several years often elaDS6 before such
representatives are known it will therefore
be seen that the value of an estate may
greatly depreciate owing to the fact that
there is no one authorized by law in this
country to perform the duties which de-
Volve upon our consular officers abroad in
relation to such estates. Having invited
the attention of the Secretary of State to
the law upon this subject, l have re-
ceived a letter from him wherein he states
Sir: have now to refer to our CONVEX
sation of the 7th instant, relative to es-
tates of deceased American citizens who
die abroad and to say that the attention
OF this department has been invited to the
absence OF legislation authorizing any OH
Ger or the government In this country to
collect debts due to said estates. l there
tore heartily concur in your suggestion as
explained to me, that legislation be secured
'for the purpose of protecting the interests
OF those who are entitled by law to the
proceeds of said Estates
1t Is. therefore, recommended that such
legislation be secured from Congress at it's
next session as will protect the interests
OF those who are entitled by law to the
proceeds of said estates.
Exam nations Under the Act of 1S9S
THE act approved March IS, 1898 go
Stat L., 316. sec. 81, provides that all
books, papers and other matters relatin
to the accounts of the officers of the gov
eminent in the District of Columbia shall
at all times be subject to inspection and
examination bysthe controller of the treas
ury and the auditor of the treasury au-
thorized to settle such accounts, or by the
duly authorized agents of either of said off,
Gals In terms no disbursing officer with
in the District of Columbia Is excepted
from the provisions of this act.
The wisdom of this provision of law be-
comes more apparent time progresses,
merely from the fact that, being able to
call for all books and papers whenever 1t
is deemed proper, the accounting officers
are in position to obtain definite Informal
ton to the methods adopted by the dis
bursting officers in disbursing and account
Ing for the public moneys placed in their
hands, and in consequence to proceed with
more accurate knowledge in the adjust
ment of the accounts at the treasury"
The auditor then refers to the fact that
an Intellectual attempt was made to COM
ply with the requirements In the case Of the
clerk of the United States Supreme Court.
He suggests that Congress ought to make
this matter clear by legislation.