Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-10
MIXED CONDITION
Unsettled Feeling Exists at
tie District Building.
|AUDITORSHIP FLUKE
|MR. McKENSIE's FRIENDS CRITI-
CIsE HIS TREATMENT.
Many Applications for Mr.. Petty's
Place-To Try to Recover
on Bond.


of marked significance have followed each
other with startling effect. The former
atmosphere of dligent work has changed
into feeling of unrest and the clerks are
most of the day either thinking or talking
of the muddle into which affairs have
fallen. Every one is discussing the pos
sibility of what move may next be made.
Probably the most distinct feature of the
situation Is the lack of confidence which
has developed and which seems to ex-
tend from the humblest among the en-
ployes to the Commissioners themselves.
There is an absence of the cooperative
spirit and instead of pulling together,
there is evidence of individual effort to
be set right before superior officers or the
public as the case may be.
The uneasinesS which is now so apparent
had its beginning with the Watson incident.
i he news of this defalcation to the extent
of S73,OO was amazing that the District
officials and clerks hardly thought 1t could
be true. District affairs have heretofore
run along smoothly that sensation
of the Watson variety found the folk at
the District building somewhat slow OF
comprehension. When the full truth be-
ca me known, however, and startling events
and disclosures began to accumulate so
rapidly, these folk not only believed, but,
with the enthusiasm of the novice at any
game, began to suspect every one and ex-
pect anything.
So 1t was that, beginning with the Wat
Son disclosures, the feeling of unrest was
added to by the defiant tone of Auditor
Pettys report, in which he spared no one
The announced removal of Mr.. Petty and
the proposed transfer of Mr.. Alexander
Mckenzie from the board of personal tax
Appraisers to the authorship, increased the
fund of gossip and the uneasiness Cap
ping the climax was the announcement of
yesterday that the Commissioners had re-
considered the whole matter, and as a re-
x,,,lF nf ~ faL ar To-
the Washington Asphalt Block and Tile
Company he would not be named as au-
ditor.
This last move has probably upset things
more than any happening since the defalca-
ton itself. 1t throws the entire situation
up in the air. and the Commissioners them
selves seem undecided as to what to do
next The Commissioners announced their
desire to retain Mr.. Petty in the District
service because of his long association with
the local government and his good work in
the years gone by. He was slated to take
Mckenzies place on the personal tax board
The change of program has seemingly left
no loophole for Mr.. Petty but to resign, and
he has announced to the Commissioners his
willingness to do so, unless they can make
some arrangement that will be satisfactory
to all parties. The possibility of this ar
rangement however, seems remote as the
Commissioners are most likely to select
some expert accountant from outside to
take the office of auditor. There is a pub
lie feeling which seems to make it impossi-
BILE to promote any in the auditors
Office.
Auditors Office Demoralized.
There is very little sympathy for the
. Commissioners in this last dilemma the
general opinion being that they have
brought it upon themselves. and in doing
SO have acted unjustly toward one of their
officials. The Mckenzie matter has mud
died matters more than can readily be
imagined. In the auditors office the de-
moralization is most in evidence, although
1t extends more or less to every branch of
| the government. Mr.. Petty is still auditor
In fact, not having been removed or trans
| ferred according to the records.
Although auditor. Mr.. Petty is not acting
In that capacity. He is at the Office, but
IS preparing various reports called for by
the Commissioners some time ago. Mr..
| AlonZo TWeedale is acting auditor AMI
doing the best possible with the force at
his command considering the unsettled
state of affairs. There are several new
clerks in the office and two treasury ex-
perts are there making examinations upon
which to base separate report to the Com
missioners and to the Treasury Depart
ment. Mr.. Petty is working to secure a
detailed statement of Watsons transac-
tons.
There is apparent need of some one to
take hold of the office and straishten affairs
out. Mr.. Tweedale is not clothed with the
authority that will go with the regularly
appointed auditor and is consequently
handicapped.
officials Criticised.
The friends of Mr.. Mckenzie are out
spoken in their criticism OF the Commits
sioners for the manner in which the per-
sonal tax appraiser has been dealt with in
the authorship matter. Mr.. Mckenzie as
serts and the Commissioners admit that he
did not desire the place
1t Is further asserted that the Commits
sioners were made acquainted with Mr.
Mckenzies connection with the asphalt
company before he was named as auditor.
Although they knew of his connection with
the company. he was urged to accept the
place. Mr.. Mckenzie says he explained the
block and tile matter Thursday of last
| week, and despite this explanation he was
named the following day to succeed Mr.
| Petty. Mr.. Mckenzie stated that 1t would
be personal sacrifice for him to accept
the authorship, as he would have to make
a forced sale of his stock in the asphalt
| company. The Commissioners agreed with
Mr.. Mckenzie that he should get out of the
company If he was to accept the auditor
ship
Mr.. Mckenzie did comply with his own
and the Commissioners idea of getting out
of the company to accept the authorship
which was urged upon him. When he had
completed the deal at pecuniary loss of
| $4,000 to himself the Commissioners make
the announcement that he cannot serve as
| because OF MS COnneCtlOn Win the
asphalt company.
1t Is claimed by Mr.. McKenzie's support
ers that the Commissioners should have
made this decision when they were first ac-
Quainted with his asphalt interests. AL
though acquainted with his connection with
the company the Commissioners urged Nc
kenzie to accept the authorship. Then
when he is ready to comply with their
wishes at a personal loss the Commission
ers meet and decide that he cannot serve
Mr.. Mckenzies friends say the matter has
been made to appear as a startling discov-
cry by the Commissioners subsequent to
their decision to appoint Mr.. Mckenzie,
when. as a matter of fact, they were ac-
Quainted with the exact condition OF af-
fairs before urging him to take the audi
torial office. The Commissioners do not
assert there was ever any wrongdoing in
connection with the asphalt block con-
tracts. The material furnished by the COM
pany has been SO satisfactory that Col.