The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-30
MUCH MONEY WANTED
FOR HART FARM SCHOOL
Principal Puts in Claims
Aggregating S126,0O0.
ALL SHOWN BY FIGURES
Unlawful Detention of Money Alleged
and Damages and Salary
Asked.

Prof. William H. II. Hart. principal
of the Hart Farm School for Colored
Boys, situated near Fort Washington.
Md. has filed with the Senate Commit
tee on the District Of Columbia a State
ment of claim against the Government
due on account of services in caring
Tor wards of The District under various
contracts with the Board of Children's
Guardians. In the preliminary part of
a statement which is somewhat volumi-
nous, Prof Hart declares the Govern
ment is indebted to him in the sum OF
SS.S56.10 under the act approved July 1.
1902. and concludes by demanding three
separate appropriations aggregating
more than $4,000 being amounts due
for past services and expenditures. and
81. 600 for future work
Prof. Hart declares that in the act
referred To there was appropria ted the
sum of $1,000. Ito enable the Board OF
Children's Guardians to contrac, for the
care and maintenance of sixty wards of
the board at the Hart Farm School, at
the rate OF 500 per annum each OF
this sum he asserts only $S7n.40 was
paid, which would leave. with the ac-
crued interest. q balance due him under
the law Of IS. $500.
Mixed Instances Cited.
In presenting his case he recites the
difficulty between himself and the
board over the matter Of a contract to
carry out the law. the board demanding
the right 10 place a property clerk at
the school to keep an account of all
supplies for the maintenance of the
farm and the care and support of the
wards" He finally yielded. however. but
notwithstanding IL IS his contention that
on July 26. 1902. the board withdrew its
wards. and that at various times be-
tween October Is. 1902, and the end of
the fiscal year substituted at different
times, forty-three others not in accord
ance with the contract, and on account
OF which only ss.741.40 was paid to him.
He then details loss of $4,000. due
10 an incendiary fire. when a number
of the buildings on the farm were de-
stroyed. Three OF the boys of the farm
who were the wards of the board
started the fire. he says. and because
of this Prof. Hart demands that he be
reimbursed In the sum Of $4,000
In connection with his other demands
he shows at length the Indebtedness
which he has incurred incident to main
tanning the school from the day he
was besought by the Government TO
undertake this public service" He then
continues:
How the Account Runs.
IF. now. to the losses he has sus-
tanned by the unlawful detention of
money due him by the Government and
damages sustained by him. because of
the unlawful and oppressive conduct of
the Board CT Chidren's Guardians. there
I'm Ell 1.4r 49,
tthe same as paid the superintendent OF
the Reform SCHOOL, for seven years
from November IL. 1897. to November
il. 1900, which amounts to s1O.5O0 and
his earnings in his profession for that
entire period. at 5000 a year. which
he has had to put into these wards I'm
addition to what the board gave him.
$1,000. and a reasonable profit on the
enterprise, which could be put at 10 per
cent on the plant. in addition TO wear
and tear and repairs on a capital of
$4,000 for seven years. you have 81. 900
more. making in all SsS 500
If from this total there be deducted
the SS.S56.iO now asked as due beyond all
peradventure. and upon which interest
has been computed there will remain
due Prof William r. II Hart bv the
Government the principal sum of So
643.30 and interest included for half the
term that this debt has been accrufng-
FOR three and One-half years-whfch
amounts to SIG, 125.09 which, AIDED to
the principal Of $40 643- 30 gives the total
debt due Prof. William II. H. Hart
principal Of the Hart Farm School by
the Government, now S96. 36S. SO. excIu-
sive of the sS.S56-70 now UnIawfully with
held in the Treasury from the Hart
Farm School.
Sums Up His Claims.
In conclusion the professor requests
the immediate enactment of joint
resolution providing for the payment TO
him OF SS.S5670 under the act Of July l.
l.e2. which. he claims. was mandatory
upon the board. and requests the COM
mittee to report an amendment 70 the
urgent deficiency bin providing for the
payment TO him Of an additional $685.
S6S.s9 FOR losses, services, and dam
ages"
Furthermore. he requests that a Prov
sion be Incorporated in the next District
appropriation bill 10 pay him 81 900 for
the maintenance Of 100 dependent chill
dren in the fiscal year ending June 90
1915