The Washington times., 1903-04-26
Important Findings Certified
by Committee, Bat With
held From Publication
To Keep Record Clear.
Precautionary Ian Not OBJ
serUed BY ReUenne Bureau
Because of Lack of CLERKS.
Some Stamps Unconnted.
System Dangerous in Not
Safeguarding Against Theft
Of Certificates Filed for
Destruction.

After excellent work. extending over
a period OF nearly four months, the
hands OF the committee named 10 in
vestigate conditions III the Offices OF the
various auditors under the Treasury De-
partment. are 10 be tied L is stated
upon good authority that the usefulness
OF the committee viii be curtai!ed by
its creator. Secretary Shaw
Since the appointment OF the commit
tee soon after January /. many dfscios-
ures of faulty systems employed IN vaFi-
Gus Offices have been made. and in some
instances the committee went 50 fer as
to criticise severely the officers for their
failure 10 correct the irregularities when
they first became apparent
Some of the discoveries made by the
committee have been published by The
Times The first was the vide use OF
rubber stamps in signing vouchers for
the payment OF money. Later came the
announcement that Secretary shaw's at
tention had been called to certain con
ditions existing in the Office OF the Au-
ditor for the Postofiee Department, rela-
tive 10 the inefficient check placed on
postage stamps. and the auditors re-
sponsibiIity for frauds. If any. in the
supplies division OF the Pogtof1ee De-
psrtment. BY reason OF the fact that the
accounts are checked by the auditor.
Important Law DisTegarded.
Startling as were these exposures. IN
view of the fact that The eyes Of the
country were already fixed upon Wash
ingtOn. owing TO the PCstoffice Depart
ment scandals. Secretary Shaw had
more TO hear 4 greater sensation was
unearthed by the committee, and this
included the information that law en-
acted for the protection OF the Govern
ment's financial interestsi vas being
broken under the very eyes Of the Sec
retary. and one Of the greatest sources
Of revenue had been subjected 10 The
danger of being disregarded
IN fact. there can never be assurance
given lhat the Government has not al
ready suffered loss 10 an IHealculabIe
extent Secretary Shaw has been toId
that the precautions for the protection
Of the Government thrown about the
Internal Revenue Bureau in the matter
of canceling stamps have been set aside,
and that but one excuse is offered.
which is that the laws exaetions i'm
pose TOO much work OF The bureau Tie
conditions are such that II is said 10
have been possible for Jhe Cuban pos
tai scandal TO be duplicated
The law regulating tbs redemption OF
revenue stamps for which the pur-
chaser has no further need provides Tor
= -Yt
ernment shall ROT be- defrauded or made
the yietim OF theft
When the stamps are sent in BY reve-
nue. collectors or private parties they are
counted by force OF CLERKS under the
chief Of the stamp division. and credit Is
then given the collectors or the persons
surrendering them. The stamps then
pass 10 half q dozen men. known as ths
destroying committee This committee is
required by law to make recount IF
the stamps and destroy them If they are
found 10 cheek with the reports from the
persons who originally make the count
in the stamp division. Credit Is then
given 10 the Commissioner u Internal
Revenue. who has charged himself with
the stamps when they are offered for re-
demption.
At one time there were $40 tons OF
stamps on hand at the Treasury Depa-t-
ment awaiting counting ana destruction
A force of thirty clerks in addition 70
those regularly employed, worked Cor
year in counting the stamps The stamps
were passed then 10 the destruction
committee. 1t is plain thar il would
have been impossible for this committee
II six 20 have made the count aT3d de-
stroyed the stamps unless they were en-
gagged six or seven years in performing
their duty as required by law.
Yet the committee kept up With he
work Of only the forty regular clerks
IN the stamp division. The Treasury In
vestigating committee has inquired into
the manner in which the work was done
but satisfactory answers were noI given
The destruction committee is com.
PEELED under the law 10 make a sw -
statement that II has counted and sz=zz
stroyed" all Of the stamps
statements hled by the present e. z=z:
tee the words counted and" Ia zzzzzz5z
stricken OUT in nearly every
No Record Of Stamps Canoe
a member Of the destruction s==||l || s.
tee was closely questioned by one
committee appointed by Secretary
Were the stamps counted =|===
asked.
No. That would have been
Bile
Have you any means Of IN
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