Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-05
GOVERNMENT RECORDS.
What an Official Says About MI
Cannon's Remarks.

Il note with interest the remarks Of Mr.
Cannon In The Star of yesterday, that
much that Is said about hall Of records
might well be unsaid. If the government of
the United States paid enough attention to
the records Of the United States to preserve
the records that ought to be preserved and
TO destroy those Of no account " said a bu-
reau chief In one of the departments TO &
Star reporter this morning.
We are all glad TO hear Mr.. Cannon
speak so forcibly on the matter Of a hall
Of records and If his remarks may be
taken a guide the project is dead for
some time to come.
BE the merits OF this question as they
may, I am surprised to learn that the
chairman Of the finance committee Is not
aware that government officials would only
too gladly destroy their old records and
papers, and rejoice IN SO doing. but they
cannot, because Congress has not yet given
specific discretion to Cabinet officers to do
so. and If Congress has passed any act
which may be construed TO give such au-
thOrity the fact the cabinet officers do not
avail themselves of it's provisions and clean
out their departments Of the hundred Of
tons Of worthless material IS good evidence
that they question their discretionary pow
Let Congress pass this specific act re-
moving all doubt in the minds of govern
ment officials on the question so that they
Will know exactly where they stand and
where the responsibility will rest and there
will be general housekeeping in the diff
ferent departments IN Washington such as
has never been seen before and will prob
ably never be seen again, under the pro-
visions of such an act cabinet officers Will
see 10 1t that their departments are not
inCumbered with lot of stuff of no value
but which they cannot now destroy because
they believe they have not the power under
the law.
1T is an offense to destroy a public rec
ord without legal authority. Let Congress
give the Secretary of the Treasury for in
stance, power 20 order his auditor for the
Post Office Department to destroy all
money orders. coupons. etc. and such rec
OTdS as IN his discretion may be DESTROYED
after a period Of, say, three years from the
date Of their receipt in his office, and see
how quickly they Will go into the waste
bags
In fact. now that the question has been
brought up by Mr.. Cannon in so emphatic
a way, let Congress institute an inquiry, IL
II deems this circuitOus course necessary
OF the heads OF departments for their views
on the advisabllity Of the destruction OF
public records in the absolute discretion of
such heads Of departments. or in a fixed
period of time TO be designated in the act
There Will be. l am satisfied, complete
unanimity Of sentiment, the inquiry will
be welcomed as heartily as the passage of
a plain. specific act either mandatory or
discretionary In its provisions.
"A step along these lines Is almost imper-
alive. The congestion from the accumula-
ton Of old files and documents In the diff
ferent department buildings is very great
and is such that action should be taken
without further delay. There should exist
no misunderstanding IN such important a
| matter"