The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-19
D1sALLowEp THE CLAIMS.
Comptroller TraccweII Opposed to
sConadentinI TeIeErnus-.;

Edward A. Nioseley, Secretary and Dis
bursting Agent Of the Interstate COM
meree Commission. has appealed from the
decision of the Auditor for the State and
other departments disallowing an item OF
$32I.56 which the former paid 10 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 flied with the account
and no certificate was furnished stating
that the kilograms We're Of such con-
fidential nature that 10 file them with the
Auditor would be prejudicial TO the pub
lie interests.
In giving his opinion on the appeal
Comptroller TraCewelI. OF the Treasury.
yesterday said. The accounting officers
are charged with the responsibility OF
accurate settlements of accounts. and
experience has abundantIy 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 inadyertence 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
exception of those under the Weather
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 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
10 claim immunity from punishment for
his individual misconduct because organ
lied society was not able 20 indict and
convict a thousand persons who were all
engaged in the same riot Because you
cannot convict a 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 telegFanls of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. which
we can properly audit, should not be
properly audited.
To be entirely frank. 7 am of opinion
that the confidential telegram business
has been overwOrSed. IL must not be for
gotten that the accounting officers or 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 VIII
in the future as I have in the past. re-
quire where il is possible. in order to cor
rectIy audit telegraph claims. that copies
of same be produced, or that the response
BILE head Of the department, bureau, or Of
fee. i'm lieu of such production. certify
that such kilograms are Of n confidential
nature and are on public business
In conclusion and confirming the de-
cision OF the Auditor in disallOwing the
claim. Nc TraceweII said. Il have made
no discrimination against Mr.. MOseley in
this particular. and j viii make no dis
elimination in his favor.