Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-02
Investigating isbursing
Clerk BarroWs.
EXPERTS ARE AT WORK
STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF
THE CENSUS.
May Be a Week Before the Exact Con-
dition of Affairs Can Be
Made Known

Mr. II. H. Barrows. disbursing clerk of
thu United States census bureau. is said to
have confessed to a shortage in his ac-
counts. and to the use for his own pur-
poses of about sT4Oo of the governments
money intrusted to his care. which he in
tended to replace.
The following statement. dictated by Di-
rector Merriam and given to The Evening
Star this afternoon, explains to a con-
siderable degree the conditions:
Director Merriam's Statement.
The census authorities have reason to
believe that there is some discrepancy in
the accounts of Mr.. H. H. Barrows. dis
bursting clerk. Two experts from the
Treasury Department are :now making an
Investigation. and as soon as a report is
made the exact amount of the shortage will
be announced to the public. The govern
III. ut is amply secured by bonds, so that in
nn event will there be loss to the United
States.
Mr. Barrows was formerly employed in
TN" Treasury Department in the office of
th- auditor for the State and other de-
partmcntS. He came to the census office
IL March. 1922, first assistant to Mr..
Edward McCauley. who was at that time
di, bursting clerk. When Mr.. McCauiey was
appointed chief clerk of the census Mr..
Barrows succeeded him..
MI bdrTo"S Is ABOUT lHlTIN-StNeU years
old. He is we'll liked in the census bureau.
That he has many friends was attested by
the interest manifested this afternoon by
his fellow labOrers. who learned OF his
troubles with sadness.
Mr. Barrows at the census bureau
throughout the day. He declined to be
seen by representative of The Evening
Star and sent word that he had nothing TO
Say for publication.
Director Merriam said that Mr.. Barrows
felt keenly the position he was in and that
he had expressed himself as being averse
to discussing the matter in any way.
Examination May Take a Week.
At o'clock this afternoon Mr.. Barrows
was closeted with the expert accountants
from the Treasury Department. Director
Merriam and other officials of the bureau
were authority for the statement that it
might be week or more before the exact
condition of Mr.. Barrows' accounts could
be determined.
So far as could be learned Mr.. Barrows
10 not under arrest. He is said to be under
surveillance at the instance of the surety
company which is on his bond.
MIR Barrows is said to have made con-
fession yesterday afternoon to one of the
officials of the census bureau. The alleged
confession of shortage was brought at once
to thu attention of Director Merriam, who
ordered searching investigation.
According to the story current at the
census bureau TINS afternoon, MT.
made the confession of his own Volltlon-
He did not give reasons for the alleged
shortage in his accounts other than that
he had used the money with the intention
of replacing il.
As soon as Director Merriam was &C
uuainted with Mr. Barrows confession he
suspended him from the position. Mr.
John =. Langley. appointment clerk of the
census bureau. is acting in Mr.. Barrows
place. and will continue to perform the
duties Of the office until another appoint
ment IS made.
The borid required for the position Is
S5OgU. The salary that goes with the
place is s2.Jn. Mr.. Barrows 1t is under
stood. performed the duties of the position
with great satisfaction, and received dur
ing a part of the time. when the work of
the census bureau was the greatest. an ad-
diional amount that brought his pay up to
SON
Mr.. Barrows' home is at Berwyn. He has
wife and several children.
Conference With the Controller
The expert accountants Of Controller
Tracewells office made an examination of
Mr. Barrows' books In March, concluding
their work on the 18th of the month Their
report did not indicate any shortage at
that time. 1t is now understood that the
suspected shortage, or part of it. must
have existed prior to that date. and that
the facts We're covered UP by Mr.. Barrows
in some way.
Following the examination Of a few days
ago it is now determined to make still
closer examination. 1t Is believed by some
officials connected with the controllers
office that the shortage will reach larger
sum that the amount admitted. The gov
eminent will lose nothing as Mr.. Barrows
is under a bond OF $4,000 with a surety
company of good standing
Director Merriam had a conference with
Controller Tracewell today about the mat
ter. and the case was fully discussed be-
tween them