The Washington times., 1903-07-28
DR.. RICHARDSON'S
ACCOUNTS CORRECT
Experts Examine Late Su-
perintendent's Books.
ADVISE SEVERAL CHANGES
ADVISE SEVERAL CHANGES
Report to Interior Department Suggest
ing Disbursing Officer Be Ap-
pointed for st. Elizabeth's.

The committee of experts appointed by
the Secretary OF the Interior, consisting
OF Robert R. West. chief Of law and ac-
counts division. Office of the Auditor OF
the Treasury for the Interior Depart
ment. and Waring E. Evans. assistant
chief OF financial and disbursing divi-
SION, Department of the Interior. to ex-
anime the books and accounts OF the late
Dr. Alonzo B. Richardson. superinten-
dent of the Government Hospital for the
Insane. has made Its report TO the Sec
retary Of the Interior. The report ir-
dicates a careful and minute examina-
tion OF every record and financial trans
action OF the late superintendent from
the beginning to the close OF his ad-
ministration
The result ot the examination is that
all receipts and disbursements have been
properly accounted for. and thct the
disbursements were made IN compliance
with the laws and regulations governing
the hospital. The committee closed. in
proper form. the accounts OF the super
intendent to the date of his death. and
have submitted the same 10 the Auditor
of the Treasury for the Interior Depart
ment for final settlement
Advises a Change.
The committee. in its report to the
Secretary OF the Interior. earnestly
recommends the enactment OF such leg
islation by Congress as will change the
disbursement of the appropriations for
the hospital. so that 1t may hereafter be
made by the chief disbursing officer of
the Department OF the Interior, on
vouchers approved by the Secretary of
the Interior. The report says
The superintendent is. under the law.
the responsible disbursing agent OF the
institution for these funds, in addition
to his other duties (Section 4ss9 r. 81.
Ia EDITION to the funds for the support
Of the institution. the superintendent
makes disbursements from the appropri-
alton fer rep2ir2 and FOR building and
grounds for the Hospital for the Insane.
From careful inspection and examina-
ton OF all questions involved in the dis
bHrsement of these funds. We are Of the
opinion that the interests of the service
and particularly of the hospital would he
served should the superintendent be re-
iieved from the responsibility Of the dts
bursement OF these funds, and that the
same be made by the disbursing oflce5
of the department under the immediate
supervision and direction OF the secre-
tary of the Interior; that there can be no
doubt that the superintendent should no.
be continued as the responsible disburs-
ing agent as well as the purchasing. ap-
proving. and receiving officer"
Affairs in Good Shape.
In conclusion the committees report
after making several other recommenda-
tions as TO the system of keeping the
accounts, states that the affairs at the
hospital were found in q satisfactory and
creditable condition.
Some defects n the method Of Aeep-
ing the accounts of the institution were
discovered. The defects were Of tech =
nical nature. and emphasized the ne
cessity for placing the disbursements in
the hands OF a trained expert instead
OF in the hands OF a man engaged Le-
cause Of his reputation and ability as q
physician and alienist.
The Government Hospital for the In
sane is the only institution under the
Interior Department except the Geolog-
ical Survey which has it's head official
as it's disbursing and financial orlcer.
The finances OF all the other divisions
are handled by the chief disbursing Of
feer OF the department. and that has
been found by far the most effective way