The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-05-02
Director Merriam Issues a
Statement Regarding
the Case.
ATTRIBUTED TO THE RACES
Prosecution Said to Be Likely, Inasmuch
as the American Surety Company Is
BOndsman-Placed Filled by Appoint
ment Of Mr. John ". Langley. =

4 shortage OF over S7,400 in his ac-
counts has caused the removal from ef3ce
/ Of Mr.. H. a. Barrows. disbursfng clerk OF
the Census once
The irregularity was unknown to the
officials until yesterday afternoon, wnen
Mr.. BarroSs walked into the Office OF Df-
rector Merriam and stated that he could
no longer hold his place because he was
$500 short IN his accounts. Then, it ig
SAID. he recited the old. old story OF down
fail via the route Of the races, OF small
amount of ready money expended, OF bor-
rowed money lest, Of drain on the funds
in his care with the hope that the wheel
OF fortune would yet turn in his favor. OF
continued bad luck. and final ENHANCEMENT
Of accounts to an extent that exposure
was only question of time The affair
created profound surprise at the Census
Bureau
Six weeks ago when the races were IN
progress and when his expenditures were
heaviest two Treasury Department ac-
countants went over Barrows- books They
we're so nicely balanced that the account
ants failed to discover anything wrong,
although there was then, it is alleged, a
SUBSTANTIAL shortage.
Today, under surveillance, Barrows IS
helping two experts from the Treasury
Department straighten out the tangIe.
He has acknowledged his guilt to the
American Surety Company. which went his
bond for $50,oe0 and has turned over 10
them his life insurance policy and what
little property he still possesses They
are not enough, however, to cover his
shortage and prosecution seems inevit-.
able
John " Langley. formerly appointment
clerk at the Census ofiee, has been ap-
pointed to Mr. Barrows' place.
Director Meriam's Statement.
II regard to the case Director Mer-
ram this morning issued the following
statement:
The Census authorities have reason to
believe that there is some discrepancy in
the accounts OF Mr.. H 4. Barrows. dis
bursting clerk Two experts from the
Treasury Department are now making an
investigation, and as soon as q report is
made the exact amount Of the shortage
viii be announced TO the public. The
Government is amply secured by bond.
so that in no event viii there be loss
to the United States.
Mr. Barrows was formerly employed
in the Treasury Department, il the once
Of the Auditor for the State and other
departments. He came TO the Census Of
fee in March. 1899, as first assistant TO
Mr. Edward MeCauIey, who was at that
time disbursing clerk When Mr.. Ne
Cauley was appointed chief clerk OF the
Census Mr. Barrows succeeded him
Mr. Barrows is married man and has
six children The family resides at Ber-
wyn, Nd, where Mr.. and Mrs Barrows
have wide circle of friends.
MT. Bauows Is Silent.
Mr.. Barrows is yery. reticent regarding
his trouble. He refuses absolutely to say.
word. Not word, not word. was
all he would say when approached by a
Times reporter this afternoon
Among his associates in the Census Of
fee there is the greatest sympathy for
Mr. Barrows in his trouble He has al
ways been extremely popular in the Office
Only few Of his closest friends knew
that he played the races to any extent,
and even they had no idea of the amount
Of his losses.
Major Loud, the Washington agent Of
the American Surety Company, declined
today TO state what action If any that
concern would take against Barrows.
Those matters are entirely con6den-
tial, declared Major Loud, and we viii
make no statement of our intentions until
the Government has taken action.