The Washington times., 1904-01-16
CARRIAGE ABUSE
EXISTS WITHOUT
WARRANT OF LAW
Lands Charge Sustained
in Decision Given by
Mr.. TraceWell
CUSTOM YEARS GROWING
First Assistant Postmaster
General Wynne Exposed
Matter in Test Case.

Private use Of carriages at public ex-
pense by heads of departments and their
subordinates in Government employ is "A
custom allowed to originate. exist. and
be maintained at present without war
rant of law
The Comptroller Of the Treasury ruled
that the practice was without legal au-
thorization. but still permits accounts
for the expense of such service 10 be
audited and paid. His only effort toward
suppression of the abuse. is in the di-
rection of preventing its growth.
Already Tested.
The absence of any law for the Gus
tom was clearly set forth in an opinion
given January %. 1903. by Comptroller
Tracewell. In this the Comptroller re-
fused TO allow payment for an expendi-
ture for carriage hire by r. r wynne.
First Assistant Postmaster General.
The amount involved was but S675.
but 1t is understood the claim was ore.
sented as a test. In his opinion the
Comptroller went into the law at length
and expressed his ideas freely OIL the
abuse, which Congress is now threshing
over.
The decision in the wynne case is said
to be responsible for the agitation OF
the question by Representative Lands.
Growth of Abuse.
The practice has grown up under the
following item which has been carried
in all appropriation bills for the execu,
tive departments:
For miscellaneous expenses. fncltd-
Ing care and subsistence Of horses, to be
used only for official purposes, repairs
of wagons. carriage. and harness. rent
of stable. telegraphic and electric aDpa-
ratus. and repairs to the same and other
items not included in the foregoing.
Taking advantage OF the phrase rForl
official business heads of depaf trnents,
assistants. chief clerks and others have
saddled on the government the expense
Of carriages used for official and social
purposes. The law has been evaded by
certifying in claims put in for auditing
that the vehicles were used "for official
business"
In the Wynne case the Comptroller
clearly pointed out that il was absurd
for an officer, located by law at the seat
of government. TO claim he was enti-
tied to be reimbursed for actual travel
ing expenses incurred within the Dis
trict.
TracewelPS Views.
IL the First Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral is entitled to reimbursement Cor
such expenses, he held the Government
might as well be forced to pay his bill
for meals and for lodging.
The Comptroller attacked the abuses
now being asserted in these words:
Il found this use Of these appropria-
tions when / assumed the office OF
Comptroller OF the Treasury. The prac-
tice was hoary with age and was in
dulged with the full knowledge of Con-
gTess. If not with its appreciation and
growth since l came into office.
Left to Congress.
II have left things in this regard !
where I found them. concluding 1 was
not justified in changing a depart
mental usage and practice of long dura- |
tion concerning the use Of these appro- |
content!ng myself with call
ing attention from time to time to the |
facts as / am now doing. leaving the |
cure Of the evil. If evil it be. to those
who have the responsibility and power
to alter existing things
The evil had not been practfsed I'm tho
case Of the First Assistant Postrnastar
General. and he refused to permit N 10
be extended 10 that office Nevertbeless
IN IN cases where usage might seem to JUS
ufy IL, the practice went on.
FaYors Amendment.
Comptroller Tracewell was asked YES
terday concerning the amendment Of
Mr. Lands. He said he hoped II worId |
go through. as ii would make the law
so definite there could be no mfscop- |
construction Of it. Mr.. Lands amend /
ment provided that. mo part Of anv
money appropriated by this act shall be |
available Tor paying expenses OF horses
and carriages or drivers therefor for ar, [
oncer provided for herein. other than
the President of the United States ara
heads OF executive departments, and
the secretary 10 the President
Under this. Assistant Secretaries
subordinates will be absolutely cut off |
from the use of carriages at Govern |
ment expense while travelling aho,1t
washington. whether for official or So /
cial purposes.
Wynne Explains.
First Assistant Postmaster General /
Wynne was recently beSore the Apnro- |
priation Committee regarding expenses /
In his department. The matter of 500 /
horse hire was brought up. and the com |
mittee asked him what he wanted done |
about IL, in view of the fact that he had |
paid his own hire since the Comptroller
Of the Treasury ruled that he was not
entitled TO a carriage as other men in /
his position are.
'Oh, 1 don't know as 1 care what Won
do with II" he said, Seeing Congress l
was good enough year ago to increase
my salary 70 5000 a year at the last 1
session"
AS matter of fact Mr.. Wynne's car
riage bill last year TOR official business.
and he paid IL all out of his own pocket.
was more than $500, all of which was
necessary because OF the position which |
he holds.
Those who Cough al Night n,ay secure rest by
taking Piso's Cure. All dTuggsts' 25o per bot
ADV.