The Washington times., 1903-06-25
EyadeS Explanation How
Irregularity Occurred.
GEN. HARRIES EX0NERATED
Former Secretary of Board of Educa-
ton Apparently Manipulated Ac-
count to Suit the Occasion.

The fun report OF the Board OF Edu-
cation on the irregular methods en-
ployed in paying a 5000 bin of Frances
BENJAMIN Johnston is now before the
District Commissioners.
All the members Of the Board OF Edu-
cation. with the exception Of DR. Rich
ard KinEsman. attended the meeting last
night. at which the payment of bill
for photographs, disguised as q map bill.
was discussed. j. Holdsworth Gordon.
chairman Of the text book committee,
presented the following report, which
was adopted and forwarded to the Dis
trict Commissioners:
To the Board of Education:
Your committee on text books. to
whom was referred for investigation and
report the communication Of the secrs-
tary of the board, under date Of June is,
1903, referring TO the alleged payment
OF $500 10 John G. Parker for twenty
five sets of Globe Series maps, claimed
10 have been furnished TO the schools.
which. in fact, had never been delivered,
would report as follows:
History of the Case.
We have carefully investigated the
matter and find that Miss Frances d.
Johnston, under authority Of the former
school board. rendered services In pre-
pairing certain photographs to be used.
and which were used. as a part of the
District school exhibits at the Paris Ex-
position. The District records show that
Miss Johnston's account amounted TO
SLIPS OF this amount 5000 was paid in
July. 1893, and on September 20. 1899. a
second account was presented by Miss
Johnston in the sum OF 1926. This latter
account was not paid. and when the pres
ent board came into existence the &C
count was presented to them. While the
Justice OF Miss Johnston's claim was ad-
mitted, # could not be liquidated. be-
cause there was no fund available from
which the same could be paid The mat
ter was talked OF and a deficiency item
was suggested to meet the same. This,
however. was not pressed, and the mat
ter was not further discussed in the
board.
On May q. 1901. a requisitiol was
made by the then secretary of the board.
Major n. II. Twombiy. for fifteen sets
OF Rand McNally's maps. Columbia
Series. at a cost of $3.50. and twenty-five
sets of Globe Series maps at 5000. tho
same 70 be furnished by J. c. Parker,
OF this city This. requisition in the
routine of the Office was signed by the
secretary. and in the absence OF the
president OF the board approved by the
vice president, under our rules
Full Amount Paid Parker.
Your committee have had before them
the papers in the transaction and find
that Mr.. Parker signed a receipt on June
-
him Of 81 $50 in fun for the two sets Of
maps called for in the requisition- We
have also seen a copy OF the voucher
signed by the former secretary, stating
that both sets had been delivered. As a
matter OF fact it appears that the TWEEN
ty-fye sets of the Globe Series maps
were not delivered. Mr.. Parker ap-
peared before your committee and
frankly admitted that he had never fur
nishcd the maps, but that he had entered
ir.o an ARRANGEMENT with Major Twom-
bly, by which he Mr.. Parker) was to be
paid $500 for the rlaps, supposed TO have
been delivered by him. and the amount
30 received was to be paid Miss John
SION in liquidation Of her claim Mr.
Parker further states that the arrange
ment had been carried out, that he had
signed the voucher. had collected the
5000. and had paid over the same to
Miss Johnston's representative, and had
tho receipt OF the former for the same.
which receipt was taken by him on July
8. 1901, and was left with your com
nlittee.
Mr. Parker disavowed intention 10 do
wrong. asserting that he was Informed
Is the secretary that the transaction
Rad the ar"roval OF General BOyntOn
General Harries, and Mr. Stuart. At
thu conclusion OF the statement made BY
Nj Parker the three last-named gentle
men. who were present. made state
mcnts in which they declared that none
OF them had any knowledge Of the trans
actions .or were in any way consulted by
Major Twombly IN the matter OF The
proposed manner OF payment OF Miss
Johnston's claim.
Harries Held Blameless.
The evident attempt 20 connect the
vice president Of the board, General
Harries. with the irregular transaction
merely because his name was attached
TO the rcquisition in approval thereof
IS without justification. and gratuitOus.
The signing OF our acquisitions is an act
done by the president OF the board. q
ia his absence by the vice president
as an approval OF the supplies asked for
In the present instance the supplies for
which the requisition was made were
such as are used and needed in our
schools. and the presentation NJ the @
QUESTION by the secretary Tor approval
would. in the course OF the regular bus
ness OF the office. receive the president 8
or vice presidents signature as a mat
ter OF course. There the duties OF the
latter ended. Whether or not the cup
plies were delivered he would not and
could not know. The duty Of seeing that
the goods were furnished rests entirely
with the secretary, who has knowledge
OF the fact. We deem IL proper 20 makc
this statement in view OF the articles
that have appeared in the public press
IN reference to the affair
Major Twombly's Explanation.
Major Twombly was invited % apnraF
before your committee. and did appear
He stated the facts OF the case TO 10
substantially as related by Mr. Parker
Major Twombly also dIsavowed any in
tention 20 do wrong in the premises and
asserted that he had been I'm no way
benefited by the transaction. having re-
eeiycd no reward or corupeusntfor <or