Evening star., 1901-08-02
REFERRED TO CONTROLLER
QUESTION REGARDTNG SALARY OF
SCHOOL BOARD SECRETARY.
Two Claimants for Pay for Month OF
July-Ma30R Twombly's
Statement.


mally referred to the controller Of the
treasury the question which has arisen
between Major H. H. Twombly. the retiring
secretary. and W. F. Rodrick, the present
secretary Of the board Of education. as to
the right Of the pay Of the position for the
month Of July. The matter was placed be-
fore the Commissioners. with the following
statement OF facts from the District au-
ditor, Mr.. ]. T. Petty:
"A question has arisen respecting the
payment Of the salary Of the secretary OF
the board of education for the month OF
July. 1901. In connection with which I IN
vite your attention to certain facts OF
record in the case, as follows:
III. III. Twombly. secretary OF the board
Of education, rendered his resignation at
1t was accepted with the proviso That the
time when 1t shall take effect be left open.
"At the next meeting, June 20. DR.. Kings
man offered the following reiolution, which
was adopted by the board:
Resolved, That the board of education
accepts the resignation of Major II. HI.
Twombly, its secretary, and thanks him
most heartily for the services rendered by
him to the public schools OF the District
Of Columbia
''The board met again June -, 1901, and
adopted a resolution to the effect That
leave of absence for one month, with
pay. from July l, be granted the retiring
secretary
"At this meeting motion was also adopt
ed providing that the appointment Of the
new secretary, Mr.. w. F. Rodrick. date
from July l. July 5. 1901, the disbursfng
officer received letter from w. F. Rod
rick secretary, in these words: I am
directed to notify you that the month 8
leave of absence granted Major H. H.
Twombly by the board of education, at q
meeting held June o. has been revoked
by action Of the board, July g.
Former secretary's Demand.
1.-THE pay rolls for the month Of July
have been received bearing the name Of w.
F. Rodrick as secretary. and H. H. Twom-
bly, has made demand for salary for the
same month, accompanying his demand
with letter addressed to me, giving copies
Of the proceedings Of the board. and stat
ing the grounds upon which his claim In
based.
''As the disbursing officer Is in doubt al
to which Of the claimants Is entitled to the
salary for July 1 I have the honor to
recommend that the question be submitted
to the controller OF the treasury for settle
menr."
The Commissioners have approved tfi;s
recommendation. and the papers have been
forwarded to the Treasury Department.
Auditor Petty and Disbursing Officer C. c.
Rogers visited the office Of the controller
yesterday and presented the matter to him
Informally. He asked that he be sent all
the papers before he would express an
opinion. Major H. H. Twombly and Secre-
tary Rodrick have also been callers at the
controllers office.
In his communication to Auditor Petty
Major Twombly. after quoting from the
minutes Of the board. says: i.
II have communication from Mr. w. F.
Rodrick. signing himself as secretary Of
the board OF education, informing me that
the months leave OF absence granted by
the board OF education at a meeting held
June %, has been revoked by action Of the
board July 2, although no meeting has
been held by the board since July 1, but an
attempt was made to revoke my leave Of alb
members of the board
1T is fair to presume that the leave Of
absence referred to above In Mr.. Rod
rtcks letter was the one granted the secre-
tary. notwithstanding 1t Is not SO stated,
although other leaves of absence were
granted at that meeting.
Points Submitted.
II beg. to submit in this connection for
your consideration the following points
bearing on this subject:
Il. Can formal action of legislative
body be revoked or amended without no.
tice Of reconsideration by an informal ac-
ton which cannot become operative or
binding until confirmed or approved by said
body at regular meeting or a special
meeting held for that purpose?
When the law or custom granting
leaves OF absence to the employees Of the
government printing Office provides that. in
order to obtain the benefit Of such leave,
the employees must apply for and actually
take such leave Of absence (and cannot
continue In the service during the time
for which such leave is granted, and thus
receive double pay. would the transfer of
such employees to another branch Of the
government service annui or change such
law or custom?' !
Mr.. Rodrick at the time Of his election
to the office Of secretary Of the board of
education was per diem employe in the
that he was allowed thirty days leave,
with pay. from the printing office, dating
from July 1. the day he began his duties
as secretary Of the board Of education