Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-27

Columbia 5000 in payment Of the above
requisition. A. TW EEDALE
90 Acting Auditor District of Columbia
''When this paper was presented to Mr..
West for signature, he sent for me and
asked its meaning, remarking that ne ala
not care to sign so important a paper
without understanding all that 1t implied
Il commended his watchfulness and ex-
planned the system in detail. with the re-
suit that he signed the requlsluor ana
the money was received by me Ior as
bursement During his term Commissioner
West has approved acquisitions which
placed in my hands for disbursement, as
auditor of the District of Columbia, the
sum of $129, 800.
Regarding Mr.. Macfarland.
I'm the Washington Post of June 10, 1903,
Commissioner Macfarland is quoted as hav-
ing said:
"I have thought for long while that
the system under which the assessment
and permit fund was handled was not
right, but, as l say. 1t did not come under
my immediate supervision, and, having
great faith. as did we all, in Mr. Petty,
supposed that there must be some good
reason for the continuance of the system
ut will be a matter of lifelong regret
that my honored friend whose utterance
of the slightest wish has for me the force
of command, did not express the anxiety
which it now seems has long burdened his
thought respecting the system which has
obtained in the receipt and disbursement
of moneys belonging to the deposit and
assessment fund.
Had he done so three years ago, when
he entered upon duty as Commissioner he
would have learned that |. not having origi-
mated the system, and knowing from ex-
perience its tend-ncy to hinder satisfac-
tory examination of the accounts would
gladly have welcomed his suggestion for a
change, and with the result that Watson's
books would have received the first over
hauling, instead of the last, in reorganiz-
ing the general system of the office, and
this most calamitous chapter in the fnan-
cial history of the District of Columbia
would never have been written.
acquisitions in favor of the auditor of
the District of Columbia for disbursement
amounting to s45l 900 have received the
approval of Commissioner Mcfarland.
Accounting Methods in Auditors Office
II would like to make clear to the people
of the District of Columbia that the sys-
tenn of accounting which obtains in the
auditors office. wherein it relates to re-
ceiptS from general revenues and eXpendi-
lures under appropriations made by Con-
gress, is neither lax nor antiquated but
will challenge comparison with that of any
corresponding office under the United
States government. During the two and
half years last past 1 have spent much
anxious and paintaking thought in the eff
fort to construct system which would be
simple in operation and safeguard as nearly
as any mere method can the disbursements
of public moneys. In this work which has
been both a duty and a labor of love, 1
have had the intelligent support of Mr.
Alonzo Tweedale, chief clerk. and Mr.. D.
J. Donovan. chief bookkeeper both of
whom are expert and accomplished &C
countants. In the construction of gen.
eral ledger so arranged as to give any re-
suit that might be required in relation to
appropriations. repayments. expenditures
and the exact condition of the account of
the dsbursing officer. whenever desired.
they have displayed a mental grasp and
skill in execution which cannot be ex-
celed AS a single illustration Of its value
and adaptability. I may say that 1t makes
II possible for us at any moment required
to state the revenue account between the
United States and the District of Columbia.
while under the old regime this could not
have been done under six weeks
up to 1902 official integrity was the only
barrier that interviewed between dsburs-
ing officer and the treasury OF the District
of Columbia. but under the method which
now obtains, not dollar can be taken ex-
cept upon regular voucher, which has re-
ceived the approval of duly authorized
and responsible official.
Personal Mention.
II trust may be pardoned for word of
pected thunderbolt out of a clear sky, the
story of Watson's startling crime fell upon
the ears of the people of the District Of
Columbia, it is not strange that amazement
and indignation took possession of the pub
lie mind Our municipal administrations
had been so free from even the faintest
shadow of wrong doing that wounded pride
broke down every barrier. and a storm of
criticism fell. not only upon the author of
all our woe. but upon the auditor as we'll
j have held my peace while the tempest
ragged with undated fury. but 1t were idle
to deny that 1t has moved me to the pro-
foundest depths of my being. The con-
seriousness that for thirty-two years in
season and out of season. 1 have faithfully
striven with all the strength and earnest
ness of my nature to serve the best and
highest interests of my fellow citizens with
record upon which the sunlight of heaven
casts no shadow. is all that has saved me
from despair, and by this record l am will
ing to stand or fall J. T. PETTY.
Auditor District of Columbia"