The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-03
BOOKS OF COMMISSION
TO Be INVESTIGATED
Experts Will Look Into In
terstate Commerce Affairs.
| IRREGULARITIES RUMORED
Officials to Maintain Secrecy as to
Progress Of Examination.
Funds Are Safe.

irregularities are said to exist in the
books of the Secretary OF the Interstate
| Commerce Commission. but just what
they are is not to be made public until
the Treasury Department experts. who
are now working upon the matter. com
plete their report Stories that the irreg-
ularities exist have been in circulation
several days. but no action was taken
until yesterday. when the experts were
called in. A hasty examination was made
and later yesterday afternoon it was
announced that it would be necessary to
| make a thorough examination. which
would extend over ten days
Though all concerned were careful not
to let the discoveries become public. II
Is understood that any trouble existing
is due TO faulty bookkeeping and care
lessness rather than TO any evil irtent
The GOyernment. however, cannot lose
any Of its funds. as all OF the officers
having charge of the commissions
money matters are under heavy bond
Just how much is involved cannot be
stated definitel-. if there really is any
shortage. but IL cannot be much as
there never has been any great amount
in cash at the disposal of the commits
sion at one time.
Not Significant.
When the experts were called in early
yesterday morning it was said that their
presence did not mean anything. as they
were simply working on the annual in
spectiOn. Later it was learned that the
stories of trouble had reached the ears
Of Commissioner Clements, who is act
ms ri frren IN,
man Knapp. Commissioner Clements
Immediately demanded that an investi-
cation be made He called upon the
Comptroller Of the Treasury for the ex-
perts. and Nathaniel NJ. Ambrose. Rich
ard II. Taylor. and James L. Chase
were assigned to the work
These gentlemen at once began their
task. and Secretary Moseley. who is the
disbursing officer of the commission.
and Cashier II. s Milstead were ques-
toned. They were informed of the turn I
affairs had taken. and the cashier had
to give I'D the keys TO the safe. All
papers. records. and money in the dis
bursting Office were turned over to the
experts. who made a preliminary exann-t
ination, and then locked the safe pIac-
ing a seal upon it. They are to begin 1
the exhaustive examination tomorrow. /
The experts have been given absolute /
control Of the disbursing Office.
No One Accused.
So far no accusations have been made
None of the officers has been suspend
ed. and none is likely 10 be, unless some
thing sensational develops Commits
sioner Clements, in a statement to a re-
porter for The Times. said:
I'VE do not know that there are any
irregularities. but the reports have been
going around. and we have decided to
have them thoroughly investigated. I
do not belive the investigation IS going
to result in discredit TO Cashier Mil
stead or any other officer, but common
justice to the Office demanded that ac-
ton be taken"
Cashier Nnstead declined to talk
about the matter, except TO express an
opinion that the experts would find
nothing wrong with the accounts. Sec
rotary Moseley was equally reticent. the
only remark he made being that the Of
fee was conducted in the most conser-
vative manner possible. which precluded
any abuses.
Funds Are Protected.
Secretary Moseley is under $4,000
bond. Not a great deal of money is
handled in the office, most OF the cash
being spent I'm cases Of emergency when
inspectors are sent out hurriedly 1t IS
said the stories were sta tad b,- tho !