Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-22
MOSELEY EXONERATED
EXAMINATION OR THE INTER
STATE CONFESSIONS BOOKS. i.
Excess Of Six Cents Found in the Ac-
counts of Mr.. Milstead, Cashier
What the Secretary Says.

The report Of the controller of the treas
ury on the result of the investigation which
has been made by officers of his division of
the books of the interstate commerce COM
mission has been sent to Secretary Edward
A. Moseley and by him transmitted to his
sureties In Boston. The report of Officer
Taylor of the secret service has not yet
been made to Chief Willde. but 1t Is gen.
orally understood that there has nothing
been found in Secretarys Moseley's papers
that would in the least degree injure his
reputation. Ever since the beginning Of
the investigation, more than two weeks ago,
Mr. Taylor has been daily closeted in the
private Office OF the secretary and disburs-
ing officer. both of which positions were
filled by Mr.. Moseley, while Expert Ac-
countanfs Ambrose and Chase of the Office
or the controller paid attention to the off,
cal DOCKS OF the commission.
Excess of Six Cents.
They found that there was an excess OF
six cents in the accounts of H. S. Milstead.
which tailed with his statement to them
at the time they relieved him of his keys
and sealed the safe with their autograph.
1le accounts were otherwise accurate. and
the statement was by them made that the
books had been honestly and correctly kept
by Mr. Milstead, whom they designated as
the cashier and factotum of Moseley In all
matters relating to disbursements" Mr..
-lstcad was therefore. given all credit for
the honest performance of his duty.
The only criticisms were that there had
been, from time to time, advances made to
commissioners and others in the employ OF
the commission for travelling expenses, and
that sep. rate check books were kept for
each appropriation. The Treasury Depart
ment holds that one check book should be
made to serve for all appropriations.
What Mr.. Moseley Says.
Secretary Moseley, who has been for some
days at his home, says that the question
of advances was before the commission at
the time of its organization in 1887, when
Judge Cooley was chairman. and that II
was the opinion Of the body at that time
that section 3646 of the Revised Statutes,
which applies to the method of disbursing
funds. did not apply to money turned over
to the commissioners or employees for ex-
penses which had been authorized by the
commission. In accordance with this de-
cisiop Secretary Moseley has been acting
during his entire term of service.
I'm 1882 said Secretary Moseley to re-
porter for The Evening Star, 1.-The controller
of the treasury wrote to the interstate COM
merce commission regarding advances or
public moneys. advising them that he was
without authority and commencing the
matter to their judgment. The commits
sioners then asked the Secretary of the
Treasury to authorize the disbursing OFF,
Ger of the commission to keep TO his per.
SOnal account III the treasury the sum u
50 600 for use when 1t became necessary 10
draw money hurriedly for travelling or other
expenses authorized by the commission
This request was granted by the Secretary,
and ever since then the rule has been fol-
lowed. When it became necessary TOT
money to be sent to an employe out or
Washington it was deposited in the treasury
and check drawn to his order. This was
also done in the case of salaries due. The
examiners of the books criticised this
method of paying salaries, holding that the
man should be present and receive MS
money in person. But the Inconvenience
that would result from such an arrange
ment can be readily understood.
Separate Check Books.
with reference to the separate check
books for the several appropriations this
method was adopted at the direction OF
Chairman Morrison, who concluded that 1t
was an Improvement on the old method,
and by Its use ne could easily ascertain
what balance there was on hand OF any
distinct appropriation instead of being put
to the inconvenience of picking them out
in the case of a single check book. This
for seventeen years. i am, of course, graft
fed that there were no mistakes in the
records kept by Mr.. Milstead or others in
my Office, although / have never for mo-
ment doubled the honesty of any man
there. If errors had been discovered / felt
sure they would have been errors only
and would not reflect upon the integrity
of any OF the gentlemen with wrom l have
been in close business touch for years.
The private Office of the secretary was
thrown open again yesterday. Assistant
Secretary Decker was in charge in the alb
sence of Secretary Moseley and affairs
were progressing with their accustomed