The Washington times., 1903-06-22
WRONGFUL VOUCHER
MUCH DISCUSSED
Board Of Education Begins
Formal Inquiry Today.
COMPTROLLER Is AMAZED
Commissioners Hope to Regain Money
From Parker-HarTies Has No
Recollection of Transaction.
COMPTROLLER Is AMAZED

Commissioner West this morning en-
tered upon an investigation of the issu-
ance Of wrongful voucher OF $500 by
officers of the Board of Education, which
proceeding was recounted exclusively IN
yesterdays issue of The Times. The
publication of this transaction aroused
widespread interest. and today's deveI-
opments indicate that the District au-
thorities intend to fix upon the respon-
sibility in the matter and take every
precaution against any repetition OF the
offense in future. The issue is regarded
as a most certain one TO go before the
officials of the Treasury Department for
an independent inquiry.
Mr.. Vests examination has developed
the information that the reQuisition for
ernment for use in the District schools
was signed by Gen. George H. Harries.
vice president of the Board OF Education,
and Major II. II. Twombly. it's secre-
tary. General Harries has made a
statement to the Times wherein he dis
avows all connection with the transae-
ton excepting. possibly. that he may
have signed the requisition as he signed
any "one of a thousand" which went to
him for his signature. Major TwombIy
could not be seen. The voucher involved
is now on file in the Treasury Depart
ment. and Commissioner West has sent
to the Secretary OF the Treasury for it.
II is believed 10 bear the signatures OF
John c. Parker. from whom the maps
were supposedly purchased, and Major
Twombly
Photographs in Lieu of Maps.
1t will be remembered that The Times
OF yesterday set forth the following lacts
in connection with this transaction.
That in June. 1901. voucher was is
sued for about 81. 100 worth of maps:
that these maps were to be purchased
from John c. Parker. s19 Seventh Street
northwest; that. ostensibly, these maps
were furnished and entry TO this effect
was made upon the District records;
that, actually. about $500 OF this fund
won't TO -Franecs Benjamin Johnston in
pay for photographs taken over = year
previous for the Paris Exposition.
Tracewell Forbade Procedure.
The voucher authorizing the payment
Of SLIGO TO Mr. Parker was shown 10
Comptroller Traccwell OF the Treasury
Department this mcrn.lg By an officer
Of the Board OF Education. 1t is said
that Mr.. Tracewell was amazed to learn
that $500 OF the sum was in payment Of
Miss Johnston's claim on account of
pictures made for the educational dis
play for the Paris Exposition
Miss Johuston's bill was acted upon
by Comptroller Tracewen more than two
years ago. After the Board of Educa
tion learned that It had no appropria-
tion out OF which it could pay Miss
Johnston, the superintendent of schools
called upon Comptroller Tracewell and
asked if the bill could not be listed
blindly as supplies. and payment made
in that manner.
The Comptroller said positively that
such a course was out OF the question
and that II no appropriation was found
TO be applicable for the payment of the
pictures it would be necessary TO ASK
Congress for specific action He advised
that the account be carried to Congress
and was surprised this morning to learr
that this suggestion OF two years ago
had not been followed.
In discussing the matter with an off
Ger Of the school board the Comptroller
is said 10 have remarked that the vouch
or was drawn for SLIGO for the purpose
Of deceiving the public In regard to the
payment OF Miss Johnston's account
He is said to have declared that there
is no way to correct the books except
by acticn of Congress. and that IL such
action is not taken the school board
officials who were responsible for the
issuance of the voucher must make the
matter GOOD.
An APPARENT discrepancy in the ac-
count with Miss Johnston was discov-
cred this morning. Mr.. Parker says he
paid Miss Johnston 5000 and holds her
receipt for that amount. Mss Johnston
is confident that her bill was for that
amount. yet it is found in the Auditor
office that the only bill there from
Miss Johnston is for S526. or STA less thar
the sum said TO have been paid to Miss
Johnston through a manipulation of tn
accounts Of TIE Board Of Education An
effort IS now being made to account fol
the ST4.
May Recover Money.
Commissicne- West said THIS moru!nl
! that ne had been advised the Distric
may recover the 5000 from John c. Parl<
er. who certified to the delivery Of map
= lLich were never turned over to til
/ board. Mr.. Parker included this itcu
: in a bill with several other items.
( An announcement from Gen. II. V
/ Bcynton. president OF the Board Of Edu