The Washington times., 1901-07-20
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT.
The Controversy Over Paying Per
Diem Employees.

Auditor Timmc Asks for Informn-
tiOn the subject - Return of
Captain Beach and DIR. Woodward
-Inspection of the District Militia.
The Commissioners yesterday received a
letter from Ernst G. Timme, Auditor for
the State and other departments. making
enquiries relative to the payment of
certain per diem employees of the District
government. The letter follows:
Referring to the recent decision of the
Comptroller of the Treasury on the sub
ject of payment to certain per diem EN-
ployes of the District government. it has
come to the knowledge of this office
through the disbursing officer, in connec-
tion with the examination of his accounts.
that it is probable that at least one en-
ploye has been paid the fun per diem
when service was rendered for only n por-
tion of the day. l have, therefore. re-
spectfully to enquire if the records OF the
District offices show any such condition
of affairs, and if so. you will please cause
a statement to be furnished this office
showing the extent of such overpayments
in each case"
This letter appears to be an echo of the
pensation of certain employees in the Street
Cleaning Department. The matter was
very thoroughly thrashed out about two
weeks ago between the accounting officer
of the District and the Treasury officials.
After the report of Comptroller Tracewell
and the subsequent action of the Com
missioners the incident was supposed to
be settled, but this letter will, in effect,
reODen the who'll, CONTROVERSY
The ''one employe" referred to in the
letter is taken TO be Miss Clara Bee. who
was employed in the office of the Super
intendent of Street Cleaning. and, as was
alleged by the Auditor, was overpaid in
the aggregate the sum of Sl44, receiving
compensation for a full days work on
Sundays when she spent but n small por-
tion of that day at the District Building.
Miss Bee. under the Comptroller's decis-
ion, was dropped from the rolls.
In its closing paragraph the letter of
Auditor Timme appears to direct the
Commissioners TO furnish his office with
a list of all per diem employees and the
amounts in which they have been over
paid in each case. If so the Commission
ers VIII have "a very hard nut to crack
in determining just how far back the in
vestigation shall be pressed TO find en-
pioyeS paid for Sundays and holidays
when they worked only part of the day.
1t is fact. well established by the re-
ports Wnlie the main COnten-
tion was being investigated that several
employees were SO paid a few years ago.
The letter of Auditor Timme was shown
to Commissioner Macfarland yesterday
afternoon, and he stated that he regretted
that the matter had been reopened. He
was of the opinion that too much promi-
nence has already been given to the
matter He stated that in giving an
answer to the Treasury Auditor it would
be necessary first to have a consultation
with the District Disbursing Officer. c. c.
Rogers, and, when the "one employe" re-
ferred to by him had been learned. to
answer accordingly. Mr.. Macfarland's at
tention was called to the closing para
graph of the letter and he said that the
question of pursuing the matter into the
practice of several years ago would have
to be carefully considered by the Board
On the supposition that a report will
have to be made to the Treasury officials
covering the practice of the District in
this matter for six years back. it is
thought that the investigation viii fall
heavy upon certain employes of that
period.
Capt. Lansing H. Beach. the Engineer
Commissioner, and DIR. William c. Wood
ward, the Health officer, returned yester-
day from Troy, n. Y. The two went to
Boston, Mass, and to Troy to inspect
hospitals and almshouses, with a view to
obtaining information TO assist in making
the plans for similar institutions in the
District of Columbia.
Captain Beach said yesterday that they
found the trip very eXhausting on account
of the intense heat. He said that the
day they were in Boston there were thr-
ty-three heat prostrations resulting IA
tally. Otherwise. Captain Beach said. the
trip was enjoyable and had resulted in
their obtaining much valuable informa-
tion.
While in Boston they visited the munich
pal hospital. the general hospital. and the
morgue. Each of these buildings is con-
sidered marvel of its kind. The gen.
tain Beach said they were unable TO see
the institution In working order.
The almshouse at Troy was given a
careful inspection. The District repre-
sentatiyes were given special facilities
for viewing the institution. and they
studied both the architecture and the
general management of the almshouse.
Commissioner Beach said that consid-
cradle memoranda We're taken, and that
the results of the trip would be embodied
later in report to the Commissioners
He said that good many useful hints
had been secured relative to buildings and
places. some of which doubtless would be
adopted here.
The trip was taken with a view to get
for the District municipal hospital and
almshouse, sites for both of which have
been provided for by Congress The plans
and estimates Of cost will be submitted
to Congress at the next session.
Thomas W. Gilmer has addressed the
Commissioners Offering certain sucges-
tions relative to the proposed revision of
the Police Regulations. He states that
the present regulations prohibit the cry
ing of newspapers from D. m to a. m.
and Mr.. Gilmer suggests that the hours
be changed so the prohibition will be
effective from 9 p. m. to a. m.
Mr. GIlmer also asks the Commissioners
TO adont a regulation prohibiting singing,
whistiing, loud talking. and other un-
necessary noises on the streets or in pub
lie places from IL p. m. 10 a. m. He
states that the act of Congress Of Feb
ruary 2s 1892. gives the Commissioners
ample authority to promulgate such
He calls attention TO the re-