Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-22
SCHOOL BOARD INQUIRY
ALLEGED IRRE0ULARITY IN
PAYHENT OF A BILL.
Gen. Boynton's Statement Regarding
the Matter-Vouchers Were Sign
ed by the Secretary.

their attention unOmC1alIy Caileo 10 an Ia
Quiry that is in progress in the board OF
education with regard to an alleged irresu-
larity in the payment Of a bill for photo
graphs rendered by Miss Frances Benjamin
Johnston Of this city. Gen. H. v. Boynton.
in personal letter to Commissioner Mac
fariand. informed him of the proposed in
quiry. He also stated that the committee
on text books of the board would take the
matter up this afternoon. The Commission
ers have taken no action regarding the al
legged irregularty an dwin not do SO until
they receive report from the board on the
subject.
It is alleged that two sets Of maps were
ordered by the board of education from
John c. Parker. the local stationer. One of
these sets cost $3.50 and the other 5000. the
amounts to be paid from the contingent
expenses for the schools. The statement
made by Gen. Boynton is to the effect that
schools. the $3.50 set, whereas Mr.. Parker
received money for both sets.
Miss Johnston the photographer. was
gagged by the old board of school trustees
in the spring of 1899 to make a series of
photographs of the schools of the national
capital. These pictures formed part of
the United States exhibit at the Paris ex-
position of 1900 1t is stated the school
trustees agreed to pay $1,000 for the work.
Miss Johnstons first bill. for the sum of
$500. was presented in July. 1899. and was
paid. On September 20. 1899. Miss john
ston presented a second bill for 1926 This
account was held UP by the District au-
thoritfes and had supposedly remained
just charge against the District. but one
which 1t had no means of meeting. There
was some talk of securing a deficiency
appropriation from Congress for Miss john
Ston'S relief.
Gen. Boynton now AYERS that Mr.. Parker,
the stationer, paid to Miss Johnston the
amount received by him for the second set
OF which not delivered to the
schools.
Mr.. West Examines Vouchers.
Commissioner West who has supervision
of the auditing and pay offices Of the Dis
trict government. looked into the matter
today and had the vouchers brought before
him. 1t was alleged that the vouchers for
the payment Of Parker had been made out
in the absence OF General Boynton by "the
next in authority" and 1t has further been
stated that Gen. George H. Harries, the
vice president, was the person.
Commissioner West stated today that the
only connection Gen. Harries had with the
matter is that he approved the requisition
prepared by the secretary of the board OF
education in July, 1901, Mr.. H. H. Twombly
at that time being the official in question,
on which the order for the two sets of maps
was continued The reQuisition called for
number Of other incidentals and school
supplies and was handled in the regular
way. 1t merely stated that the articles
enumerated were needed for the schools.
This requisition went through the District
Of1ceS and was hOnOred in the regular way.
The vouchers in the case are all signed
by Mr.. Twombly, as secretary to the board
AS matter of fact, 1t is stated that the
secretary to the board is the only Off
cial who does sign the vouchers These
documents set forth the receipt of the
property and the business of the claim
made by the merchant. The voucher which
went through the Treasury Department
to make the charge against the appropria-
ton was also signed by Mr.. Twombly, as
secretary to the board. The secretary is
recognized as the representative of the
board, both at the District accounting Of
fees and at the treasury, and no other sig
natures to vouchers are required
Mr.. Parker signed receipt for the two
sets of maps. thereby certifying that they
had been delivered. 1t is believed that
this makes him responsible for the deliv-
cry of the maps II the full quota was not
furnished. MIR. Twombly's approval Of the
voucher is also taken as a certificate as to
the receipt Of the goods.
1t is stated that Parker paid Miss john
stOn the 5000 received by him for the sup
posed purchase OF maps. If he did SO he
paid her $74 more than she claimed, as
her bill was only 1926. There is a difference
of $74 apparent somewhere.
General Harries' Statement.
Gen. Harries said today in regard to the
matter:
There Is only falsehood in any statement
which has it that I ever signed, approved
or otherwise had anything to do with a
public school voucher. Neither the president
nor vice president deals with vouchers or
with any papers pertaining to disburse-
ments for school supplies. They do, how
ever. deal with acquisitions. When supplies
are needed the secretary fills out a requi-
sition blank and submits it to the president
for approval
III the president Is not availabye the vice
president acts in his stead. With that
action the presidential interest ceases; from
that time the matter is in the hands OF the
Secretary.
IF the goods are not delivered, or If there
is anything uncommon in the later stages
Of any transac tion the official who approved
the requisition could never learn of such
development unless he was informed of i.
by some one; such information would not
appear on any record nor could any re-
spOnsibility attach to him.
. "All he does is to-s say whether this or
that article shall be ordered He has moth
ing whatever to do with either inspection
Of supplies received, auditing or disburse-
ment."
with reference to this particular payment
to Miss Johnston let me say that had no
knowledge as to the conception or execu-
ton of any plan to Hquidate the Indebted
ness to her in the manner described or sug-
gested."