Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-18
May No g, Be Arranged for a
!. Day or Two.
THE ASSESSMENT FUND
HOW IT Will BE HANDLED IN
aTHE FUTURE.
Disbursing Clerk Rogers to Have
Charge Of It-Capt. Beach Denies
Responsibility Of Watson.

Attorney Stuart Mcnamara of counsel for
James M. A. Watson accused of embezzling
| from funds received in the office of the
auditor. District of Columbia, returned this
afternoon from visit to Atlantic City,
where he had a, conference with Mr. John
II. Bryant, Watson's father-in-law.
| According to Attorney Mcnamara, all
arrangements are completed for the re-
| lease of Watson on bail. but there are good
reasons why he win not be liberated for
day or two yet
Deputy Marshal P. F. Cusick this after
noon attached a pianola and music for the
| same, at 2020 Columbia road, and a roll
| top desk in the Bond building, all said to
4 De the property of Watson.
Future Of Assessment Fund.
At board session this morning the Dis
trict Commissioners took up the matter of
the future handling md disbursement of the
whole cost assessment fund and the plum
bers' deposits which were formerly handled
| by the auditor and placed entirely in the
hands Of J. M. A. Watson. who Is charged
] with being a defaulter to the extent of
| $4,000.
| 1t was decided that in future this fund
| should be disbursed by Mr.. Charles c.
Rogers, the disbursing officer Of the Dis
| trict, who Will give an additional bond of
$4,000 to the Commissioners. Mr.. Rogers
Is at present carrying bonds to the amount
| of 100000, the new bond bringing his sure
| ty up to $1100OOs 1t is also provided that
| Mr.. e. q. Jones; the assistant disbursing
| officer, whose bond is at present $4,000,
| shall give an additional bond of 5000.
| The Treasury Department has not as yet
| definitely declined to handle these funds
| and the Commissioners are hopeful that the
| deposits may be placed there. If the de-
partment should eventually decline to han
| die the money it will be placed in private
banks to the credit of the dsbursing Off
GERS Checks upon the fund will continue
| to be drawn up in the auditors office. where
| the vouchers will be handled. Both Mr..
| Rogers and Auditor Petty will sign the
| checks, as they do in the case OF the $9OOO,-
| 900 and more ofregular District appropria-
| tons each year. The auditors office will be
| relieved OF ALI moneys under the new sys-
| tenn.
1t was stated today that there will be no
| stoppage in public work account of the
| shortage in the' permit and assessment
| funds. The deficit will be carried along by
| the District until the fund Is replenished
| through the various sources of restitution
| that are looked forward to, or relief Is
| granted bysCongpess
Capt. Beach Not Responsible.
very interesting letter from Capt. Ian
| sing H. Beach, former Engineer Commits
sioner of the District of Columbia, was
| received today by Commissioner Macfar-
| land. touching upon the appointment Of
James M. "A. Watson in the District SER
vice, the impression having gone out that
Capt Beach was responsible for the ap
| pontment. Capt. Beach writes from De-
| troit under date Of the 10th instant and
My Dear Me-! Macfarland:
| l have just seensa copy Of The Evening
Star of June IL, 1898 in which the follow
ing statement ia made.
''Mr. Fetty explained to the Commission
| ers that he appointed Watson upon the
| recommendation of Capt. Lansing H.
Beach. formerly Engineer Commissioner Of
| the District. There is on record in the
District offices only the letter of applica-
| ton filed by Watson, in which he gives
various references to Mr.. Petty. These ref
erences were not looked up. as Mr.. Petty is
said to have supposed that Captain Beach
knew the young man."
! I very much surprised to find that
| Mr. Petty has made such statement, but
! believe that he is too honorable a man to
deliberately endeayor to throw blame upon
an absent party. My only connection with
| the case was as follows:
Mr.. Petty came to me and explained that
he wanted a good and competent clerk to
| take charge Of the accounts in his Office
| of the assessment and permit work, and
| that he came to me before taking any def
mite action, as the clerk would have to be
paid by the day from an engineering fund
| and he would like my consent to the ar
| rangement. which was given. He stated
| that he proposed to fill the place by COM
petitive examination, and asked me IL I
| knew of any desirable parties. told him
| that I did not, but few days later a Mr.
Watson, who was then in the employ of
| the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company
! came to me and said that he understood
| that there was to be appointment in the
| auditors office. and that he had a brother
| whom he would like very much to have the
| place, If possible. I sent him to Mr. Petty
| and afterward when Mr.. Petty came to see
! me about the matter I told him that I
| knew the Mr.. Watson who was IL, the Bal
| timore and Ohio Office slightly he appeared
| to be a good business man, and under Mr.
Alvey the local agent seemed to be intrust-
| ed with good deal of responsibility; that
| 1 knew nothing whatever about the brother
| who desired the place in his Office that 1
never had seen nor had ever heard of him
until a few days before. Mr. Watson Sc
| cured the position after an examination
! held by Mr.. Petty, and I did not interest
myself in any way. shape or manner to
secure him the place. I believe 1 never
| saw him until after he had entered upon
| his duties. TWAS position under one of
| the other Commissioners and it was nv
| policy to leave such matters to the Com
missioner in charge until they came before
| the board
| Mr.. Petty will, believe, when the facts
| as above stated are called to his memory
| admit their correctness, as do not believe
| he would Intentionally cast any undeseryed
| reflections upon Others
I will be very much obliged II you can
| kindly take such action as you may think
| advisable to place me in the proper light
| in the matter as shown above, both before
| the Commissioners and the public
With kin1est regards to yourself and the
other Commissioners remain,
.ts>=Ist Very sincerely yours,
GSignetD LANSING H. BEACH.