Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-23
new SlL! |! TABLES
seeretaryShsw Endeavoring
to Kutdnto Use.
QUEsTIMaF LEGALITY
CORRESPONDENTS WITH CON-
TRoLtER rRAcEwELL.
While Congress Ought to Pass on the
Matter Proposed, Method is Bet
ter Than Now in Use.

secretary Shaw is endeavoring to put
iiito use new system of salary tables,
winch he considers absolutely essential as
soon as possible, but he has had so much
doubt about whether he, is legally author
lied to do SO that he has appealed to Con-
troller Tracewell to know whether he has
the authority to inaugurate and begin the
use OF improved salary tables. The cor
respondence between the two officials will
be of widespread interest in official cir
cles. The controller does not definitely
give authority to the Secretary to pre-
pare the new tables but takes strong
ground that they are badly needed. In
his letter to Controller Tracewell the Sec
rotary of the Treasury says:
THE committee appointed by this office
to examine into the accounting methods of
the several auditing offices and the office
OF the controller of the treasury, to whom
was referred the question as to the adop-
tlon or a new form of salary table, made
report under date of February 8, 1903,
copy of which transmit herewith, in favor
or plan for the payment of all annual
salaries on the basis of twelve equal
monthly installments, each instalment or
month to consist of thirty days regardless
of the actual number of days in the
month.
THE legislation recommended by the
committee along this line was referred to
days of the recent session. but failed of
consideration.
THE table for computing salaries which
has been in general use since July /, 1872,
adopted by an order signed by the first
controller second controller and commits
sioner of customs and approved by the
Secretary of the Treasury.
The necessity for an enlarged edition
of the tables prescribed by the order of
1872, in order to include salaries at rates
not needed when the first edition was pub
lished, having developed later on, it was
ordered by Controller Bowler on December
10, 1896, that on and after April 1, 1897.
the new edition, which is the one now in
use. should be used by the accounting Off
GERS and disbursing agents in paying per-
sons in civil employment.
I'm view of your conclusions on the sub
ject of the tables in embodied in
your published decision of May B. 1902
WIII Comp. Dec, TO-. it would seem not
only desirable, but important that new
tables should now be promulgated.
II, therefore, respectfully request your
opinion to whether this Office can. with
out waiting for the action of Congress,
have prepared and put into use tables
made up the basis of accompanying
recommendations Of the committee of ac-
counting methods g
I'm the line of desirability for uniformity
throughout the, public service l would sug-
gest that Congress, In the act making APP
preparation for the support of the army
for the fiscal year 1904, prescribes that all
payments to be made under the provisions
of army appropriation acts, when the rate
of compensation is annual, Shall be made
on a basis precisely similar to that which
the committee son accounting methods has
recommended. And it is further under
stood that the practice in regard to pay
ments under navy appropriations is also
the same. though done merely, by the sane
ton of the Navy Department..