Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-02
CLAIM DISALLOWED
JOSEPH A. NASH'S BILL FOR SER
VICES RENDERED.
Was Additional Private on Police
Force and Served Under
the Poundmaster.

Auditor John r. Garrison of the District
has disallowed a claim of Joseph A. Nash
of 2l3 LIST street northeast for compensa-
ton for services rendered by him under
supervision of the poundmaster and under
appointment and commission addi-
tional private OF the police force by the
Commissioners. 1t appears that last May
when the Commissioners desired to round
up all the vagrant dogs in the community
in order to have the situation well cleared
by the time hot weather arrived. they re-
quested Major Sylvester to detail an officer
from his force to accompany a second
wagon from the pound. Major Sylvester
reported that the police service was al
ready crippled by numerous details. and
suggested that some one be commissioned
as additional private for the purposes de-
sired. The Commissioners thereupon COM
missioned Mr.. Nash and agreed to pay him
at the rate Of SO day. with an additional
allowance Of 50 a day for horse and buggy
hire. After serving in this capacity for a
time Nash's commission was revoked. He
recently wrote to the Commissioners stat
Ing that he had received no compensation
for the services rendered last May.
The claim was first referred to the health
department. DR.. Woodward details the
circumstances surrounding the appoint
ment After the man had served a few
that the appointment was for some rea-
son not authorized. An official order revok-
ing his appointment was issued by the
Commissioners. A voucher for the amount
due Mr. Nash. under the Commissioners
order, was duly prepared by the health de-
partment and forwarded to the auditor.
Auditor Garrison has now returned the
papers to the Commissioners inviting atten-
ton to the following copy of a memoran-
dunn touching this case, and prepared for
Commissioner Mcfarland August 10 last:
Quotation From the Law.
Attention is invited to the provisions of
section 37S OF the Revised Statutes OF the
District Of Columbia. which would seem to
prohibit the payment of any compensation
to Mr.. Joseph A. Nash for services rem
dered as an additional private Of the police
force; under appointment made by order OF
the Commissioners. Of May I, 1903. which
was revoked by order of May Ii, 1903. The
construction placed upon the appropria ton
Emergency fund. D. Co. by the controller
OF the treasury, in his letter to the Com
miSSlOnerS of June r. 1899 indicates that
said appropriation is not applica BILE to the
payment of Mr.. Nash's claim for services,
even If the same Is not prohibited by sec
ton 378 Revised Statutes, above referred
to-
The Commissioners proposed to pay for
Mr.. Nash's services from the emergency
fund. Continuing his statement Auditor
Garrison says the vouchers for the pay of
Mr.. Nash are held in his office for the rea-
sons that under the provisions of section
3IS OF the Revised Statutes of the United
States relating to the District of Columbia
1t does not appear that any compensation
can be allowed or paid the claimant with
out special enactment authorizing such
payment and providing appropriation
therefor.
Il respectfully suggest" concludes the
auditor. that If the Commissioners so ap-
prove. the amount OF this voucher be in
Guided as special item in the estimate for
deficiencies to be submitted to Congress at
the coming session."