The Washington times., 1903-09-14
Property Clerk Appeals
for More Money and
More Help.
REPORT AND ESTIMATES
Believes His Dignity Would
Be Enhanced by a
Raise of S4OO.

Property Clerk Beckett this morning
submitted to the Commissioners his esti-
mate for the expense Of his Office for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1905, and also
his annual report for the same period
Too much labor and too little compen-
sation Is the burden of these two COM
munications
The most remarkable item Included is
request for an increase in Mr.. Beck
ett's own salary from 81. 500 to s., 900. In
face Of the generous amount of censure
and criticism which has been heaped
upon Mr. Beckett and his administra
tion within the past three months Dis
trict officials look upon the item with
no little amusement.
Mr.. Beckett's Plea.
IN support of this request, Mr.. Beckett
saws:
The increase here indicated is asked
for the reason that the exacting respon-
sibiiities OF the Office thoroughly Justify
it,
The head of this office should be
placed on footing with the heads of
the other Offices under the District gov
ernment. The salary as II now stands
is not in excess of that paid mere clerks
In some of the other branches of the
service, and then. too. while it should
not be, 1t is nevertheless so. that the
views of one receiving so small a sal
ary are not respected 10 the extent the
requirements of the Office demand"
Increase for Deputy.
Other important items include an in
crease in the salary of the deputy prop
erty clerk, NJ c. Hargrove, from 81 800
TO $l.600. Three additional clerks are
requested. at $1,000. 5000, and s72O, re-
spectively
1t is not only desirable" says Mr..
Beckett. -but absolutely essential that
the office be provided with more force.
The magnitude and character of the
work is such that # is next TO i'm
possible for the force now at my com
mand to cope with it ezc,a' to dispatch
the outline work. not permitting
the keeping of records in the concise
form they should be kept. without com
pelling the entire force to work over
time. which has recently been done in
order to I'LL the acquisitions for sup
plies.
Place for Clerk
THE clerk asked for at $72O per an
mum. is TO provide a place at an in
creased salary for Mr.. Mitchell, who is
now provided for as a laborer in the
executive department and detailed TO
this Office"
The Property Clerks report covers the
operations of his department for the
fiscal year ended June 30. 1903 In that
time he expended appropriations amount
ing to 100000
Too Much Work.
From the report IL appears Mr.. Beck
EFT is growing restless and uneasy under
the rules recently promulgated by Com
missioner West. requiring competition
on all supplies.
He says:
Under the new system which requires
me TO obtain competitive bids on all
supplies not covered by contracts. the
work will be materially increased, which
requires that / give all of my time to
doing such work as should be done by
clerks. thereby not affording me the
proper time TO devote TO matters of
greater Importance. such as drawing up
specifications, going outside of the oflce
TO see goods before purchasing. etc
II therefore recommend that if Con
gress cannot be prevailed upon to grant
an increased force. that some plan be
devised whereby additional clerks can
be employed and their salaries pro-
rated from the appropriations expended
through the Office"