The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-06-11
Ruling OF Fedora Depart
mentS Concerning the
Debts of Clerks.
BUREAU CHIEFS ANNOYED
No Attention Paid to abusive and
Threatening Letters, Many of Which
Are Received Daily-Book Canvassers
Form Another Annoyance.

Collection agents and canvassers for
book concerns, according to the opinion
o. the chief clerks and disbursing of
Gcers Of thc different branches of the
Government. should not be permitted TO
transact their business in the depart
nents during the Office hours, and
thereby rob the Government of yalu-
able time and money.
They come 10 the office" said chief
clerk of one of the departments. land
in case he be canvasser for a book
concern, he remains. as a rule, until
he has persuaded his victim into sign
ing contract which he or she, as the
very often takes as long as thirty min
utes, or an hour or more This time
is completely lost to the Government
ut frequently occurs that the person
who subscribed to the book cannot keep
IN the payments on account of sickness
in the family or sor.e other misfortune.
Then it is time for the collection agent
TO make his appearance. He is any
thing but 4 gentleman. with very few
exceptions. He demands immediate
payment in offensive and abusive Ian
guage. He intimidates and threatens
his victims by the hour, and before he
leaves he gives his debtor to under
stand that he (the collector) would
see that the bill is paid or else have
the clerk dismissed. This is another
loss of time to the Government, and,
besides, the collection agent leaves his
victim, as a rule, in very nervous
condition. bordering on actual useless
ness, 50 far as the work is concerned,
which it is his or her duty to perform
for the Government
Letter Writing Collectors.
Another feature is the letter writing
collection agent. The chief clerks and
disbursing officers of the various Govern
ment departments are in daily receipt OF
large numbers. of letters from collection
agents, book concerns, and tradespeo-
pie, in which they request the Govern
ment officials to act as agents for the
collection of debts contracted by its en-
ployes. In many instances the person
making the request uses curt language
and in positive terms demands from the
Government the instant dismissal of the
slow payer. unless he or she. as the
case may be. should pay the amount due
within certain specified time More
letters of this nature are received from
book agents than from any other source.
Answer of Government.
The answer of the Government to such
request is contained in the following
circular letter, just prepared, which is |
sent to creditors:
The department will not be made an |
agency for the collection of debts con-
tracted by its employees, but when a
clerk or other employe, receiving a |
stated salary, neglects or pleads ina
bility to pay debts for the necessary
support of self and family, without pre-
senting satisfactory reasons therefor. |
the department will regard such clerk |
or employe as guilty of improper prac |
tice. and one who ought not to be con-
tfnued in the public service.
The department will not enforce the
payment OF money borrowed at exorbIt-
ant rates of interest, nor will It recop-
nize bills or claims presented by pro-
fessional collectors"
Viii Not Withhold SALARY