Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-03
UNDER INVESTIGATION
ALLEGED IRREGULARITY IN
PLACING OF SALARY FUND.
Controller Tracewell's Opinion to Be
Sought-Freedmen's Hospital Of
fcials Said to Have Erred.

As the result of an investigation by
Commissioner West and Auditor John K
Garrison, an irregularity has just been
discovered, 1t is alleged, in connection
with the distribution among employees OF
the salary fund for the Freedmen's Hos
pital. The Commissioners. upon recon-
mendation of Auditor Garrison, have de-
cided to ask Controller Tracewell OF the
treasury for an opinion as to the legality
and propriety of the methods in vogue In
the hospital with reference to the proper
tionment of the salary fund
From the investigation conducted by
Auditor Garrison 1T appears that Con-
gress appropriated funds for the hire OF
an assistant clerk. who has never been
appointed but whose salary has been ap-
portioned among the other employees OF
the institution. This circumstance was
brought to light in connection with an
attempt to extend the practice to the po-
sitiOn of second assistant surgeon.
Freedmens Hospital is maintained
equally by the District and the general
government and is under the exclusive
management of the Interior Department.
hut the District supervises the expendi-
ture of funds for the maintenance OF the
institution.
The Hospital Estimates.
The estimates of the hospital for the
past few years, it is stated, have in
Guided salaries and compensation of the
surgeon-in-chief. not to exceed $4,000;
two assistant surgeons. clerk, assistant
clerk pharmacist, assistant pharmacist,
steward. engineer, matron, nurses, cooks
laundresses. teamsters, watchmen and Ia
borers. $4,000. This provision has been
embodied in the District appropriation
acts for the past few years in the same
language. None of the officials, with the
exception of DIR. w. A. Warfeld. the sur
geon-in-c chief. is on a stated salary. For
this official not to exceed $4,000 annually
is appropriated, but the surgeon -in-chief
receives only $500 and the remaining
$500 reverts back to the treasury. With
reference to the salaries for other posi-
lions. the same plan has not been fol-
lowed but instead. if the position be-
comes vacant. the salary set aside for the
employe is divided among the other en-
plOyes.
Notice Given of Abolition of Office.
Acting Secretary Ryan of the Interior
Department June 10 notified the Com
missioners that the position of second as
sistant surgeon. at 81 600 per annum, had
been discontinued and that the 81 COG saved
by the discontinuance had been used and
applied to provide for promotions in the
salaries and compensation of other en-
ployes to take effect July 1. The promotions
We're set forth in detail. The facts are that
DR.. Charles J. West the senior assistant
surgeon at 81 800 lost his position, and Dr.
William H. Hughes, the Junior assistant
surgeon. at 1900. was given the berth at
81. 500 increase of $500.
Acting Secretary Ryan's letter led to q
conference between Commissioner West and
Auditor Garrison. Nothing could be done
| until the pay rolls for the month of July
came in from the hospital. When it was
presented yesterday 1t was scrutinized, and
the 81 coo heretofore paid the junior assist
ant surgeon, it was found, as stated in the
10 arf had
been diverted to increasing the salaries of
cooks, laundresses, clerk dressmaker and
other employees.
Auditors Recommendations.
Auditor Garrison. after further investiga-
ton, recommended that the controller be
| asked for an opinion on the matter.
I'm view of the fact says Mr.. Garrison.
that the appropriation for salaries and
compensation of the Freedmen's Hospital
and Asylum is based upon estimates spe-
officially providing for two assistant sur
geons and for an assistant clerk (the sal
aries for both of whom are omitted from
the pay roll for the month of July, 1000
the following questions arise upon which 1t
is desirable to have a decision by the
troler of the treasury:
First, whether the sum of 81 OGO the
amount estimated for the salary of the
second assistant surgeon. and which Is
saved by the discontinuance of that Of
flee, can be lawfully used and applied
to increase the salaries and compensation
of the other positions, which are specifical-
ly named in the letter of the acting Secre
tary of the Interior of July 10, 1904?
Second, since the estimates submitted to
Congress and the appropriation made by
that body specifically provide for an as
sistant clerk, can the amount estimated for
the salary of such assistant clerk be used
to increase the salaries of other officers
and positions appropriated for by Con-
gress, the position of assistant clerk not
being filled and no charge therefor appear
ing on the pay rolf
Duties Pass to Others.
1t is understood that under Dr. War
fields predecessor, a sister to the surgeon
in-chief held the position of assistant
clerk, and when a change was made in the
head of the institution the sister left also.
Her duties lapsed upon some other en-
ploye. The management, 1t is stated con-
tinued to ask for the appropriation for the
position Notwithstanding it remained I'M
filled
The estimates from the hospital are ex-
amined by the board of charities. Secre-
tary Wilson of the board Of charities. was
asked about the matter last night He
stated that when the board visited the in
situations for the purpose of securing in
formation for considering the estimates the
statement was always made that the same
appropriation for salaries should be con-
tfnued. Never inspecting a pay roll the
board had no opportunity of knowing that
the salaries were not drawn for the spe-
Cific purposes estimated.
1t is stated in connection with the ir-
regularity discovered that Dr. Warfield is
not regarded as willfully misappropriat ting
the money allowed for salaries at the in
stitutiOn. DR.. Warfield stated with regard
to the matter that he had not doubted tire
legality of dividing the undrawn salaries
among the employees of the hospital
Stop-Overs Granted,