New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-29
REPORT UPHOLDS MUSEUM
CONTROLLERS EXPERT FINDS DOULL'S
CHARGES GROUNDLESS.

Following the charges of Alderman DoulI that
excessive amounts were paid to employees at the
American Museum of Natural History and his
protest against further payments by the city
until investigation had been made the Con-
troller has had Charles S. Hervey. an expert
accountant in his department. make an ex-
animation. The report of Mr. Hervey says in
part:
l have made careful examination of the meth
DDS employed by the museum officials to safeguard
that institution In the disbursements OF both its
annual appropriation from the city, and / find
be dificuIt. indeed under the system now in vogue
in the museum, for an irregular or extortionate
bill to pass final payment without being detect
ed and stopped Tine system is one which is
OF b 10 sng rnssar aD OF ng GTeI n
of his subordinates who have the financial
The question has been recently raised as to the
right Of the museum managers TO pay their cura-
priation received from the city. There Is abso-
to do anything within reason when it chooses
with the city appropriation, long II performs
keep exhibition during certain days of the week
the collections which are its property Opinions
every Corporation Counsel of the city since the
Furthermore the museum is not bound by the
provisions of the Civil Service law in the employ
AS regards the further criticism that the salaries
there would seem to be no evidence in support of
such contention Upon the stan OF the museum
In their particular lines In one instance am in
airy has been recently questioned, contributes an
nually far more than he receives in salary to the
museum, and Instead of being at the museum one
or two hours week. his accuser declares. is
there from early in the morning until late at night
The gentleman I'm question, / am informed has a
very large private income, and, besides being a
thorough adept in the line of investigation for
which he is employed is also a great enthusiast in
prosecuting his researches the museum therefore
gaining in every way by his employment.
Professor Bumpus stated to that great care
was observed by the museum authorities i'm deter
mining exactly what would be made of the city
appropriation. Not one dollar of this money is used
TO pay for any part of the actual collections of the
museum.
In conclusion therefore. I would respectfully re-
port that from such examination l have made,
IL would appear that the authorities of the Ameri-
can Museum of Natural History were making wise
ana careful use of the annual appropriation grant
ed by the city TO the institution that said authori-
ties were acting well within their legal rights in
the employment of the officials and other employees
or the museum. and that all reasonable safeguards
are now thrown around the disbursement of public
moneys placed i'm their hands, that, under pres
ent rules. both of the Park Department and OF the
penditure OF not dollar of the proceeds of bond
issues by the city is directed controlled by
the museum authorities, but is wholly under the
direction of the Park Department and subject to
the safeguards employed by that department In the
disbursement of public moneys which safeguards
are now adequate, and with such changes are
contemplated in this particular by Commissioner
WILCOX eXtraVaganCeS Irregularities will be
minimized in the future