The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-19
D1sAI1owEp THE CLAIMS.
Comptroller TrnSeweIi Opposed to
"ConldentinI TcIegrnrns.-

Edward A. Moseley. Secretary nd Dis
bursting Agent OF the Interstate COM
merce Commission. has appalled, from the
decision of the Auditor for me State and
other departments. disallowiHS an item OF
$321.56 which the former paid to the
Western Union Telegraph Company and
the Postal Telegraph Company for the
transmission OF kilograms. The ground
for disallowance was that copies OF the
kilograms were not filed with the account
and no certificate was furnished stating
that the kilograms were Of such con-
fidential nature that 10 file them with the
Auditor would be prejudiciaI to the pub
lie interests.
In giving his opinion on the appeal
Comptroller Traeewell, Of the Treasury,
yesterday said: The accounting officers
are charged with the responsibility OF
accurate settlements OF accounts. and
experience has abundantly demonstrated
that an inspection of kilograms shows
that many improper and Illegal payments
are made on this account. which are
promptly corrected on such inspection. 1t
frequently occurs that kilograms on
purely private matters are charged for as
on public business; that night messages
are charged for as day messages; the
number of words are frequently charged
in excess OF what they really are, and
through inadvertence or otherwise
charges are duplicated for the same mes
sage.
THE rule requiring the production OF
copies of kilograms by disbursing officers
or where such kilograms are of a conf
Dental nature, a certificate TO that effect
has been risidly enforced in this office
during my incumbency, with the single
Inn Of
Bureau, which have not been required
because OF their great number and bulk.
which makes an accurate audit of them a
physical impossibility. But this exception
docs not give a license to other disburs-
ing officers to omit proper proofs to
credits sought by them, any more than an
Individual criminal would have the right
to claim immunity from punishment for
his individual misconduct because organ
lied society was not able to indict and
convict thousand persons who were all
engaged in the same riot. Because you
cannot convict thousand is no reason
why the individual should go free of pun
ishment- Because We cannot properly
audit the Weather Bureau kilograms is
no reason why the kilograms of the
Interstate Commerce Commission, which
We can properly audit, should not be
properly audited.
To be entirely frank, / am of opinion
that the confidential telegram business
has been overworked. 1t must not be for
gotten that the accounting officers of the
Government are operating under the
sanction of their oaths of office in the
same way and manner as are the other
officers of the Government. and in so far
as | am aware none of them Is in col
fusion with criminals or evil disposed
persons to give away the secrets OF the
Government. / mean to say that l Will
in the future, as l have in the past, re-
quire. where it is possible. in order to cor
rectly audit telegraph claims. that copies
of same be produced or that the RESPONSE
Bile head of the department, bureau, or Of
flee. in lieu of such production. certify
that such kilograms are of confidential
nature and are on public business"
In conclusion and confirming the de-
cision of the Auditor in disallowing the
claim. Mr.. TracewelI said: Il have made
no discrimination against Mr.. Moseley in
this particular. and i will make no dis
elimination in his favor