The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-15
CABINET THINKS
LANDIS' ATTACK
IS UNF OUNDED
Few Carriages Are Used
by Officials of the
Government.
PRESIDENT HAS HIS OWN
Reform Talked of Is Already
Accomplished, Say the
SecretarieS.
HAS HIS OWN

Impartial investigation made in all of
the departments of the Government con-
cerning the number of horses and car
riages used by officers which are paid
for by the public. today discloses that
while Representative Landis, who
terday, has a basis for his assertions
that the usage has grown into an abuse,
he has exaggerated conditions
At the Cabinet meeting today the
charges made by Mr.. Lands were dis
cussed at some length. Practically
every member OF the Cabinet said that
he had investigated the matter several
months ago. and that where any abuses
had been found they had been corrected.
Owns Every Horse.
President Roosevelt owns every horse
he uses for himself and his family. and
the same is true of nearly all of the
members Of the Cabinet
Representative Lands asserted that
were the carriages the Government pays
for lined up in Pennsylvania Avenue,
they would reach from the Treasury to
the Capitol. 1t is true that there are
a number OF such carriages. but the Rep
resentative has evidently counted in
those which are in the regular army
service.
At the White House this morning it
was said no charge could Justly be made
of any abuse of the public funds there
through the use of carriages or other
vehicles which are paid for by the Gov
ernment.
No 'Plums" Fall Here.
Of the Department of Justice. said:
'Plums in the shape OF horses and car
riages paid for at public expense do not
come 10 the Department OF Justice.
THE Attortif ystseneral Is. or course, al
lowed a carriage by law. The Solicitor
General also has an official coupe which
he uses in the transaction of his bust
ness between the department and the
Supreme Court. Those are the only car
riages used by officials Of this depart
ment which the public pays for.
At the Treasury Department it was
officially stated that the most careful
scrutiny had been kept on this matter.
and that no allowances were made for
carriages and horses not strictly within
the law.
Three Carriages Here.
In the Interior Department there are
but three carriages. instead Of seven or
eight. as Mr.. Landis said in the House
yesterday
Secretary Hitchcock has one of these
and one driver, but no footman Com
missioner Ware. OF the Pension Bureau,
has one. which he uses. When General
Black was Commissioner Of Pensions he
was given a carriage, owing to injuries
received in the war
This carriage has remained in the
Pension Department ever since
Two Private Vehicles.
In the Agricultural Department there
are but two private carriages-thOse Of
the Secretary of Agriculture and of Mr.
Moore, of the Weather Bureau. Both
are specifically authorized by law
At the Office of Secretary Wilson this
morning il was said that he had had no
laborers transferred as coachmen and
had only one driver. Outside of this the
department has no horses and carriages
except in the Weather Bureau
In the matter of the Weather Bureau.
Chief Moore said that his carriages were
provided for in the appropriation bill.
In District Service.
AS far as the use OF horses and car
riages in the District service is con-
cerned. Commissioner West said this
morning that he did not believe any
curtailment could be effected without
affecting the efficiency Of the Govern
ment-
Several weeks ago he requested from
the heads of all departments a list of
horses and vehicles in use by the officers
or employees of such departments. The
data already at hand. Mr.. West thinks
but little saving could be accomplished.
State, War, and Navy.
In the State Department a carriage
and two horses are maintained for the
use of Secretary Hay. The carriage is
now twenty years old. and the animals
at the time of their purchase by the
Government cost s24O for the pair AS
sistant Secretaries Loomfs and Peirce
are each allowed one horse and depot
wagon. The annual expense of maiu-
tanning the entire number is estimated
at 1000 yearly.
Secretary Root. of the War Depart
ment. is granted two horses and a car
riage. other officials in the department
who receive this privilege from the
Government are Assistant Secretary OIL
yer and Chief Clerk Schofield. each bav-
ing the use of one horse and a carriage
Two horses and a carriage are allow
ed the Secretary of the Navy and one
horse and a depot wagon are given
over u the use or Assistant Secretary
Darling.
In Postoffice Department.
In the Postoffice Department. Post
maste- General Payne has a carriage
four Dorses, and a driver. The First
Assistant and the Third Assistant POST
masters General are allowed $500 wear
for tIeir official use, but Mr. Wynne
said hat he has not used "a OF It.