Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-11
FUNDS OF THE DISTRICT
ANIMAL REPORT MADE BY THE
DISBURSING OFFICER.
Amount Placed to Credit. the Sum
Paid Out and Balance on
Hand.

Mr.. c. c. Rogers. the disburs!ng officer
Of the District, today submitted to the
Commissioners report covering the opera
lions Of his Office during the fiscal year
ended June 80. 1900 From this report 1t
appears that warrants were placed to the
credit of the disbursing officer with the
United States treasurer aggregating 49,
7O0.117.42: checks were issued to the
amount of 50. 361. 259 10, leaving a balance
on hand with the treasurer Of the United
States June 80. 1900. subject to the disburs-
ing officers check. Of $685.. 65767. There
were "a. $40 checks issued during the year
In payment of salaries Of employees and OF
other claims against the District govern
ment.
The payment Of the District employees Is
then described by Mr.. Rogers. The pay
rolls Of the several departments are made
out in duplicate. and after having been au-
dited and approved for payment by the au-
ditor of the District are received at this
office. The first duty Of the disbursing Of
hcer is to ascertain the exact denomina-
tions of each amount on the rolls. They are
then numbered. envelopes are made out
with ne name of employee and amount of
money due him. The envelopes are also
given number which must correspond ex-
actly with the pay roll as regards name and
amount of money. All this work Is COM
pared and checked to avoid mistakes after
which the money due each employe Is put
In the envelope and they are then ready to
be paid All pay rolls must be signed in
duplicate. Hundreds of laborers are paid
on the works, while at the same time many
peopl. are being paid at the office. In cases
where mark Is made 1t requires the sig
nature many hundred times of clerks in
the office as witness to the same.
How Payments Are Made
A conservative estimate of the payments
made to the District employees during the
10 ar
800. in cash: total. y 49,. or an average of
6oOO per month. In addition to the above
$500 witness fees and a great number Of
payments on account Of coroner's jurors
and lunacy cases were made
The school teachers. police, fremen and
employees OF the Washington Asylum were
paid by check every month.
The employees of the District building In
Guiding officials. clerks, messengers and
laborers. the judges Of the Police Court
and attaches. all per diem clerks, inspec-
tors. foremen and laborers on the public
works. were paid twice each month. with
but few exceptions in cash.
Employees of the Freedmen's Hospital, In
dustrial Home School, District militia and
bathing beach were paid In cash the last
day of each month.
An Improved System.
The present SYSTEM" says Mr.. Rogers,
of paying in cash since the creation Of
the disbursing office is vast improve
ment over the old method when all pay
ments by the District were made by check
A few years ago. when the old system was
In vogue. an old colored man, so / am in
formed received thirteen checks within a
period OF two weeks employment, and
often many of the laborers had great diff
Guilty in having their checks casfed Thrifty
people often charged them a fee or in
duced them to spend money at their place
OF business for the accommodation, which
resulted in their parting with a large por-
ton Of their small earnings before they
reached their homes. causing considerable
distress to their families.
Il respectfully call your attention to the
fact that the force in my office. Mr. E. E.
Jones. Mr. Mills Dean and Mr.. J. L. Daley,
have been very efficient and painstaking,
and have performed their arduous duties
faithfully and we'll They have been will
ing at all times to work after official hours,
which We do a great many days during the