The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-07-18
CLERKS SPECULATING.
Government Officials Consider Plan
To Curb The Gambling Tenden-
cy Among Federal Clerks.

New. York Journal OF Commerce.
The report on conditions in the De-
partment OF Agriculture and the Sc
ere, investigation Of the Government
Printing Office, which is still in
progress. are very powerfully direc-
ting the attention OF important Off
cials toward the question OF specula-
ton among government employees.
This was common topic OF conver-
sa'lon at many OF the departments to-
day and is calling attention to a very
bad state oi affairs which is practi-
cally universal in Washington. Spec
ulatiCn ii stocks. cotton and other
products and the very general prac-
ice oi "playing the races have eN-
i>ied ior q long time in nearly all the
branches q the government service.
At the treasury conditions became
especially bad a year or so ago, and
since that period there has been a
vigorous effort on the part OF the
higher treasury officers to check the
custom. While no definite rule on
the subject has ever been thought
practicable. it has been sought to re-
strain such tendencies by withholding
promotion from men who were
known to frequent bucket shops Or
follow the races TOO closely. In the
case OF disburSing officers Of course
there has been practical prohibition.
All of this, however, has not availed
to cut off such practices at the treas.
ury.
1t can be understood therefore that
in other departments where no such
precautions have been adopted specu-
lative ventures have been widely
gone into. At the agricultural de-
partment this morning it was stated
that no rule against speculation had
ever beer promulgated. Ar the CEN
sus office i was learned that for some
time past there has been effort to
frown down speculation and race
gambling. Communications with bro
kers over the telephones in the office
have been forbidden. In the division
which has charge OF the preparation
of cotton ginning figures speculation
has been absolutely forbidden, and it
i, thought that this has furnished an
effectual hindrance to the evil.
Several high officers OF the gov
ernment discussed today the posi-
bi}ity OF enforcing a general rule
against illegitimate speculation. The
EVIDENT feeling was, that such a regu-
1ation would SAVIOR too much of inqui-
sition and that it probably could noe
be strictly carried out. 1t was felt
that if this was the case. it would be
unwise to enact legislation whose OBJ
servance could not be guaranteed.
Or the other hand, there is practical
ly universal agreement as to the
wisdom of an executive or other Or
der absolutely prohibiting all persons
engaged in statistical work likely to
affect crop values, or in those bu-
reaus Of the treasury where early in
formation about financial dealings
has known value, from engaging il
any operations OF the sort under pen
atty of loss Of position.
The problem seems TO be how to
discriminate between the real invest
ment and mere speculation on the
basis OF knowledge which may come
into the possession OF public servants
by virtue Of the office OF which they
hold. 1t seems TO be felt. however,
that this a point which can be worked
out bv the exercise OF little ingenu-
i,y.
Recent IeFGdllOnS III INC govern
ment printing office have shown that
speculation based on the proposed
purchase Of certain typesetting ma
chimes doubtless existed, and in 9TH
er offices of the government it is
known tha, early this spring "tip"
was passed around concerning the
same operation on the strength Of
which clerks were advised 10 buy a