Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-17
AUDITORS ESTIMATES
Mr.. Garrison Suggests an
Increase of Force.
THE OFFICE OF DEPUTY
CHANGE IN THE TITLE OF THE
CHIEF CLERK.
Exclamation of the Demand for
Larger Clerical Corps-Matter
of Salaries.
THE OFFICE OF DEPUTY


son. has submitted to the Commissioners
his estimates of appropriations necessary
for the conduct of the District auditorial
office during the fiscal year beginning July
l next. Mr.. Garrison asks for an increase
in force. He declares that the office en-
poyes are badly overworked, notwithstand-
ing the fact that the disbursement OF
money is no longer a function of the de-
partment. Mr.. Garrison bears out the
statements made by former Auditor James
T. Petty to the effect that the best results
cannot be expected from force constantly
required to work overtime In order to keep
up with current business.
Mr.. Garrison suggests that the title OF
chief clerk be changed to deputy auditor
and that the salary be increased from
s., go to $500. The office OF chief clerk is
now held by Mr.. Alonzo Twedale, who acts
auditor in the absence of his chief. Mr..
Garrison makes estimate for deputy
auditor as follows:
For deputy auditor, who shall in the
necessary absence or inability from any
cause of the auditor perform his duties
without additional compensation, and who
shall perform such other duties as shall
be prescribed by the auditor, and the au-
ditor may require the said deputy auditor
to give bond for the faithful performance
Of such duties during the absence or ina
in every respect be responsible to the
United States. the District of Columbia and
to individuals, as now provided by law,
S2.IO."
In explanation, he says:
I'm lieu o. a chief clerk the estimate IS
submitted for deputy auditor, who, In
addition to the authority to act in the
necessary absence or inability Of the au
ditor. shall perform such other duties as
shall be prescribed by the auditor This
Will enable the deputy aduitor to perform
certain official duties while the auditor is
present. Such a division of the work of
the office Is desirable, and will tend to
better administration A deputy auditor
will in every respect be more useful than
a chief clerk. and the estimated compensa-
ton for the Office Is reasonable and just, in
consideration of its duties and responsible
ties"
The Increase in Force.
With regard to the increase in force, Au-
ditor Garrison says:
In the foregoing estimate two per diem
clerks now employed at compensation of
$3.50 and $500 per day, respectively, are
substituted by two clerks at annual salaries
of 81 400 and 500.
The increased force asked for namely
one clerk at 81 200. one clerk at 81 GOO and
one clerk (stenographer and typewriter) at
$780, is urgently needed to keep up the cur
rent work of the auditors office and dis
d
matte manner. and to bring up work now
In arrears. 1t is highly important that the
books of the assessors office shall be au-
dited work which has not yet been per-
formed. When said work shall have been
completed 1t will require the better part of
the time of one competent accounting clerk
to keep the assessors books audited to
date. The proper accounting for the whole
cost deposit fund" now deposited to the
official credit of the disbursing officer of
the District with the treasurer of the
United States and preparing the audits
payable from this fund requires the time of
one skilled accountant. An additional clerk
is needed upon the audit of current claims
and pay rolls. This is a class of work
which cannot be delayed. There should be
sufficient force to examine all claims and
pay rolls carefully and critically. The pres
ent force OF auditing clerks is insufficient
to perform this duty properly and there is
constant pressure for these audits so that
necessary payments may not be delayed.
ITO properly audit the monthly accounts
of the ten justices of the peace of the Dis
trict and the accounts of the Police Court
as required by the code. and to examine the
accounts of collateral deposits pertaining to
said court (Which is regarded as desirable
and importantly will require the time of one
competent clerk This examination must be
made in the offices of the several justices
and in the office of the clerk of the Police
Court in order to verify the returns of fees
by comparison with the dockets.
Keeping of the Records.
Records should be kept In the auditors
office of official bonds filed and of accounts
and vouchers received for audit. Such
records have not been kept for want of
necessary clerical force. For the same rea-
son the letter books and other records have
not been indexed. Many of the old files of
accounts. claims and miscellaneous papers
should be arranged and classified in syste-
matte order and properly marked for ref
erence.
1.-The additional clerk asked for at 5000 per
annum should be a stenographer and type
writer. A stenographer is needed to save
the time of the auditor In drafting in long
hand many letters which could be dictated
quickly.
1.-The clerks Of this office haves not had
their usual leaves of absence during the
present year: the needs of the public BUSH
ness being such as to require the foregoing
of leaves of absence on their part. The au-
ditor deputy auditor and most of the clerks
are compelled to work in excess of regular
hours and at night in order to keep up the
current work. The best results cannot be
attained when the clerical force of an office
Is overworked and debarred from the bene-
fits of the annual leave of absence which is
authorized by law"
Marine Band Program.
The United States Marine Band, William
II. Santelmann leader, will render the fol-