davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1906-04-05
CLERKS ERR
in PENSION BUREAU
Correspondent, Who Was One, Says
Clamor of Congress and Driving Demand
for Speed Produces Inaccurate Work.

To the Editor Of The Washington TSsaes:
When the appropriation bill for the
support of the executive departments
comes up for consideration at each ses-
sion OF Congress, certain NJ. C.'s enter
tain themselves and the galleries with a
great outcry against all clerks except
the Congressional clerks. These scoffing
TRADES against clerks are unjust and
cruel.
The departmental officials take UP the
cudgei against the clerks and nag them
for faster work. more output and longer
hours. until the life OF the already over
worked clerk is made miserable in the
extreme
More Work; Fewer Clerks.
The amount OF business in each de-
partment OF the Government is increas-
inc with the growth OF the country:
while the number OF clerks is being re-
duced: and schemes are laid for reduc-
ing the annual pay of those retained.
although Tire market of every necessity
OF life is Increasing The pay Of the
clerk Is relatively q per cent less than
II was fifteen years ago. and the hours
are longer and the work more exact
ing.
The system OF daily. weekly and
monthly reports now IN vogue naturally
leads TO the utmost straining for great
er volume Of work by each clerk; and
the ever-recurring abuse and scurrility
against the clerical force. and the undue
requirements for fast work nave neces-
sarily resulted IN sloppy work and nu-
merous errors which would rot have oc-
l . -. har
10 a speed that could not be attained
with reasonable certainty of accuracy
and decent adjustment OF the papers
These conditions are present in every
bureau where the lash Is applied for vol
ume that invites errors.
few years ago. in the Bureau OF
Pensions. the number OF claims under
the June law" had necessarily piled
uD high in the record division, where
they were 10 be first recorded, and the
records searched. The CHIEF Of that di-
subordinate chiefs suggested that great
er haste might involve the division in a
series Of errors in the records II don't
care d said the chief. 1.-The
reply Illustrated the whole spirit preva-
alent in the departments under the nag
ging system for speed
Haste Makes Bad Briefs.
The brief" in each claim in this
bureau furnishes a lasting means OF
testing the miserable results OF exces-
sive haste All the work in this bureau
eliminates in a collection of all the
papers in each claim, braided together al
the top ana called the brief" which
has it's final review in either the board
OF review or the medical division. before
pension certificate" can issue there
on Tho rules Of the bureau are well
designed TO secure neatness, accuracy
and dispatch; but the dinging for Quanti-
" puts these rules in neglect. and the
result in most cases is an unsightly brief
.ull of errors, blunders and mishaps- The
The Washington times., 1906-04-05
FUNERAL OF G. H. DYER
TOMORROW AFTERNOON

Funeral services for George H Dyer
will be held at > O'Clock tomorrow
afternoon in his home. 1918 Kingman
place. The Rev John Van Schsick.
pastor Of the Church Of Our Father,
will Ofnciate.
Mr. Dyer died of heart disease Tues
day night
For some years Mr.. Dyer had been
connected with the r J. Marshall real
estate Office He came TO Washington
in 1859 and obtained a position in the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing In
til six months ago he was treasurer OF
the Church of Our Father
The Washington times., 1906-04-05
JAPANESE DECORATIONS
FOR AMERICAN OFFICERS

Decorations conferred on AmericaI
officers by the Emperor OF Japan may
be accepted if Congress. grants the perl
mission asked by Secretary Of State
Root in a communication
General Macarthur. Colonel C-owder.
Major Kuhn. Lieutenant Colonel. Nc
Clernand. Major Morrison. Captain
Lynch. Captain West. Captain Perish
ing. and Captain March have all been
rendered decorations OF various degrees,
in consideration of their services as OBJ
servers with the japanese army dur
ing the late war Congress Is asked
10 permit the acceptance OF these.
The Washington times., 1906-04-05
ENTERS PROTEST AGAINST
EXTENDING METRIC SYSTEM

Henry X. Towne, a manufacturer and
forgr president of the American So
cieE of Mechanical Engineers. entered
a vigorous protest before the House
Committee on Coinage Weights. and
Measures against the further adoption
OF the metric system in this country.
He declared that It was not preferable
to the present system OF weights and
measures, and would only impose dim
culties and additional compIicat tons
The present system OF measures used
in this country Is the basis Of all metal
working measurement systems, and 10
change would be destructive OF the
whole basis of this great Industry.
The Washington times., 1906-04-05
KAISER Smokes UP"
TO AMBASSADOR TOWER
Warmly Praises America in a Chat
Over the Cigars
and Coffee.

BERLIN. April Sat the dinner given
last night by United States Ambassador
Charlemagne Tower in honor OF Kaiser
William the subject of Americas in
ternationaI position was discussed dur
ing the conversation which took plaCe
over the cigars and coffee
The Emperor praised the part played
by President Roosevelt in bringing about
peace in the Russian-JapaTese war, and
at the Algeciras conference He de-
clared that the United States is gaining
a merited reputation as one OF the 'prin-
cipal peace-making factors in interna-
tionaI affairs Americas high moral
standpoint and general benefcent in
fuence are fully recognized among the
older powers
The Washington times., 1906-04-05

W. I.arcombe, J. Minnick. A. w. II.
Ferris, c. +. Rose, w. NJ. Foley, j.
Foley. w. K. Vaughn, Z. Burdine,
V. Tierney, and many others.
Mrs. Siegfried Fantl. of Savannah,
Ca was the hostess Tuesday afternoon
for q bridge whist, at the home of her
mother. A delightful repast was served.
the Easter idea being cleveriy carried
out in decorations. ali the table en-
bellishments being in yellow, with the
centerpiece tastefully arranged of flow
ers and small chickens. The prizes were
won by Mrs. Henry Kaufman. Mrs.
Meyer NordIinger, and Miss Rita VOL
terman, OF Streator. Ill. The otner
guests were Mrs. Maurice d. Rosenberg.
Mrs Sol Minister, Mrs Sydney Reizen-
stein. Mrs. Phil King. Mrs. Isaac Behr-
end. and Miss Edna Weyl.
A few couples enjoyed a subscription
dance last night in the ballroom Of the
Mercantile Club. After dancing, buf-
fet supper was served Those who at
tended were Miss Cecilia MiddledoTf. OF
Baltimore; Miss Schwartz. of New
Celeste Sigmund. OF Denver. Col: MISS
Rae Hahn. Miss Helen Luchs. Miss Err
nestine Frank. Miss Helene Eiseman.
Miss Esther Behrend. and Miss Helene
ID. Engel: Herbert Berliner. Julian Bry-
lawslzi. allan .Bachrach, Harry w
Hahn, Frank Bachrach. Melvin Behr-
end. Arthur G. Newmyer,' Milton T.
Strasburger, Sylvan Bensinger, Joseph
Goldenberg. Alfred Rosenthal, and Jo-
seph Scheonagle-
Mrs Charles Kaufman has returned
from a two months trip to Cincinnati,
Chicago. and Hot Springs, Ark, accom-
panied by Mr.. and Mrs. Louis Keonigs-
beri,, OF Chicago. Mrs. Kaufman and
Mrs. keonigsberg win be at home to-
morrow afternoon at 247l Eighteenth
street.
The Jolly Rovers Club gave a. fare
well dance Tuesday night TO Miss Clara
Wilson, a member OF the club. who
leaves Washington Thursday for Ken-
lucky. Refreshments were served.
Those present We're: Miss e. Wilson,
Beatrice Reynolds. Miss Annie Phillips.
Of Alexandria: Miss Ethel Heygster,
Mr.. Houseknecht, James Lathrop. Joe
lyman, Ben and Golden Jewell. and
George VeTea. The party was chaper-
oned by Mrs. Edwards
The following Washington people are
visiting in New York today: H. L.
Aydelotte, Mrs. s. Erammell. Mrs. G.
G. Byrne. Miss FenSon, II. NJ. Hep
burn, Mrs. Hostin, Miss Mcmillan. +.
P. Morgan, q. Mum, Mrs. g. NJ. Robe
son. A. c. Shrann, E G. Williams. &.
Bellinger. Miss NJ Brown, H A. Her
bert. j. X Jones. w. J. McNally. Mrs.
@. w Mosen. T. E. Robertson. Mrs.
F. Schrader. G. W. Sutton, II. w. Top
ham. S. b. Whitney. and Mrs. J. T.
Wood
The Washington times., 1906-04-05

papers in the misshaped brief are often
liable 10 damage from handbag: and no
banker or business man would pay a
dollar 10 another on such a voucher An
appellate court would turn down such a
transcript without q moments heslta-
tioP The Keep Commission could
wrise volume by having A thousand
briefs drawn II ON the admitted files and
reviewed by experts
The conditions ars well known In the
bureau, but TO apply the rules would
lessen the output; hence the rules are
neglected Many briefs are 80 shabby
that one reviewer in the board Of re-
view viii not take action on them until
he has reclassiied and readtusted the
papers.
Each brief has a face sheet for the
statistics OF the claim and for official
action. The face sheets often show that
haste results In many errors. Recently
widow claim WAS briefed and ap-
proved ~ the examiner, the section
chief and two reviewers on the board
of review, for a pension fer eleven
years and three months. when the
widow was entitled 20 only one year and
three months. Had the certificate issued,
she would have received the money in
one sum at first payment The error was
discovered IN the Commissioners room
before issue.
Last year. the Commissioner dismiss
ed ten reviewers for having allowed PEN
sions To soldiers who had never been in
pensionab BILE regiments These claims had
received the hasty work Of the examin-
ers and the section chiefs in the ad-
Indicating divisions.
Calls for Evidence.
The pressure for haste produces er-
rors in the calls for evidence These
calls are not reviewed on their merits.
Too frequently examiners make piece
meal cslls iu ;ho difficuls ciaIms- The
tendency Of pr sure leads 20 this The
system or srediting volume 10 the ex-
aminer encourages him in hurrying over
his slow cases, 70 reach those that are
ready 10 sJ@N nit for allowance Many
attorneys and claimants complete the
evidence on the printed first calls. while
others require a vast amount OF insuuc-
ton submission Is the highest credit
given the examiner In claim BY
scurryinG past The slow claims the ex-
aminer gets a larger docket. or more
claims. and reaches more claims that
the attorneys have completed without
calls. and gets more claims submitted
in a month than he would by dwelling
on the difficult claims. Later he gets
credit for a claim and a letter when
he finishes the piecemeal call
This history goes through every
branch OF the work. The whole ten
dency OF nagging for output is vicious
and often a mere pretense- The de
pArtmental clerks constitute a hard
working. intelligent class.
The craze for young men fresh from
the high school T. another fad. and
initiates against the efficiency of the
! force These boys make fairly good
messengers for several years. and they
are kept al light work for many years
while the old clerks do the bulk OF the
real business. Men from forty-flve 70
seVenty-five years old. who have been
many years In the bureaus. have the
law, the rules. and the practice at "the
ends OF their hngers. and make the
best clerks
The sooner the craze wears out, the
better for the Government
Very respectfully.
AN EX-PENSIOS CLERK.
The Washington times., 1906-04-05
BODIES OF DEAD MINERS
WARM WHEN DISCOVERED

PARIS. April 5.-In interviews printed
In the Matin and Petit Parisien as wen
as in public statements made TO the
miners. Mining Delegate Simon. known
by the nick name of Rico who ac-
eompanied the rescuers exploring the
-ourriers mine yesterday, confirmed the
Announcement that nine men,. whose
bodies were still warm. were found in
one group, In pit No. I. In addition 20
Barthou, who was rescued The efforts
made TO resuscitate the men. however.
failed. as dispatches yesterday Indicated
~rnsiid he the cass. a
The Washington times., 1906-04-05

DIVIDES
ON CANAL PLANS
Split On Sea Level and Lock
Propositions.
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION
Chairman Millard Going tc Nebraska,
Probably to Look After His
Senatorial Fences.

Senator Mtllard~ of Nebraska. chair
man OF the Senate Committee on Inter-
ocearic Canals, VIII leave tomorrow for
ten days trip 10 Nebraska. Incident
ally it is expected the question win be
determined during his absence OF wheth-
er he is 70 be a candidate for re-elec-
tion to the Senate in his State There
has been vigorous opposition, and the
Republican forces have. aside from his
immediate supporters. largely eentered
their support IN Norris Brown. now at
torney general
Senator Millards absence will probably
be occasion for suspension Of the hear
ings before his committee, as other
members prefer not TO continue them IN
his absence The expectation is that the
inquiry that has been in progress from
the beginning of the session will end in
about week after the return CT the
chairman. and then will begin the work
of executive sessions TO decide upon a
report.
Difference of Opinion.
AS to this report there is much diverg-
ence Of opinion. Senator Millsrd is in
favor Of a lock canal. and strongly be-
lieves the majority OF the committee 8
tor Kittredge OF South De- kota, second
on the committee. is just as positively
committed 20 a sea-Ievel canal, and has
declared his opinion that .Iis type will
have a majority OF supporters IN the
committee
The question or The relations of this
country 20 the republic OF Pznama with
DC one CT second Importance 20 be de-
termined by the report; and the future
organization OF the canal commission
will be third.
On two of these questions IL is pretty
certain the committee will diXi3e. Chair
man AIi,lard and Senator MSrgan are
practically agreed as 20 the changes
needed in the government OF the canal
territory.
II is generally believed tnat Senator
Morgan viii make a minority report as
10 the governmental Organisation Of the
Canal Zone. He doubts whether the
present system OF dual 20 -e-nment-of
the Panama republic and nited States
dividing prerogatiVes-is Calculated 70
guarantee that stability g conditions
which, in time Of war and stress.
would be absolutely necessary % this
country.
Sea Level or Lock.
% the question OF a sea-leveI or lock
canal il is certain that much effort is
being devoted TO making out d case
ios the Sea-tNNei people
As &c the commission, the Senate COM
mittee is expected to. favor reducing il
10 three members. and reItrriug that
they spend most OF their time on the
Isthrntis Whether Chairman Shonts
VIII leave is not agreed. He has said
he VIII, IL required 20 sever his rela-
tions with the Clover Leaf road or 70
spend all his time. practically. on the
Isthmus. II he retires. the chances are
that Chief Engineer Stevens will be IA
vOred by the Senate committee for the
headship of the commission
The Washington times., 1906-04-05
GIVE GOOD PORTRAYAL
OF FALSE PROPHET"

"A False Prophet" was given by
amateur talent last night at Odd Fell
lows Hall for the benefit. OF Homeward
Bound Mission. In addition 20 the play
there were recitations and singing.
Miss Leona Young proved TO be an elo-
cutionist OF merit and her recitations
were enthusiastically received. The
singing OF Mr.. and Mrs John w.
Hutchinson was a feature OF the en-
The Washington times., 1906-04-05
MRS. ROOSEVELT
MUCH BENEFITED
Presidents Wife Enjoyed
Cruise in Southern Waters.
WILL RETURN ON SUNDAY
May Meet the Ladies of the Cabinet
Again on Tuesday
Forenoon.
WILL RETURN ON SUNDAY

Mrs. Roosevelt viii return to Wash
ington from her cruise in Southern
waters Sunday morning, unless some
thing unforeseen should happen 10 pre-
vent. Ii is said at the White House
that the change Of scene and rest has
had a beneficial effect II sufficiently
settled by that time Mrs. Roosevelt
will meet the ladies of the Cabinet
Tuesday forenoon. according 10 her
usual custom
The Washington times., 1906-04-05
YOUNG RUSSIAN vl0LINlST'S
FIRST APPEARANCE HERE

Daniel Breeski. a young Russian vio-
Iinist. viii give his first concert in
Washington next Sunday night IN the
banquet hall of the Arlington. He VIII
be assisted by Mrs Katherine Huliing.
soprano. and Haley'S Orchestra
few months. He is a graduate OF the
Conservatory of Munich and comes to
America with the hiSheSt recommends
tons of foreign critics.
The Washington times., 1906-04-05

Miss Giddings. belonging to the IA
nous family Of that name, among
many soldiers. statesmen and the
writer. Nathaniel Hawthorne The
young couple will make the capital
their future home.
Invitations have been issued for the
marriage of Miss Eliza beth r Hoeh-
ling. daughter OF Dr. and Mrs. A A
Hoehling. of 174S Q street, to Charles
Fitz Randolph ogilby. 1r,. of Boston,
which takes place at st. Thomas
Church at noon. April 10. A small re-
ception will follow the ceremony.
Cards are out announcing the mar
rage of William Hamilton Schofeld. a
former Alexandria man who was well
known in business here for many
years, and Mrs. Lille Marshall Tune,
Tuesday. March %. Mr.. Schofie1d left
Washington for Los Angeles some time
ago. and is now OF that city and New
York. in both of which places he does
business
Cards are out for the marriage of
Miss Caroline j. Moss, daughter Of Mr.
and Mrs. Joseph S. Moss, 10 William /
henderson. of this city.
The marriage will be solemniZed at
the home of Miss Moss parents, 419 Sec
ond street northwest, on April 49, Both
the contracting parties are exceedingly
popular with the younger class of
Washington society
Mrs n. s. Blackstone has issued in
VitatiOns for the marriage of her daugh-
ter, Frances Pinkney Blackstone TO
Henry Robert Rives. The wedding
will take place Tuesday evening, April
IL. at O'Clock, at the Church of the
Ascension.
Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph s. Van Fleet ceie-
brated the twentieth anniversary of
their marriage Friday evening at their
home, I222 street, the house being
artiStically decorated with palms and
cut flowers. Mr.. and Mrs. Van Fleet
were assisted in receiving by Mrs. Will
liam H. Blackburn. Many handsome
presents were received.
Among those present were William w
Chambers. Master William Chambers,
William II. Blackburn Mr. and Mrs ]
Ferguson, Mr.. and Mrs. T. Metler Mr.
and Mrs. p. w. Ferguson, Mrs. w
Pollard, Mrs. and Miss Jones, Mr.. and
Mrs. l. b. Brown. Joseph V. Selby and
Miss Emma Mohler, DR.. Stone, Mrs
Schley. Mrs. Maude Kell. Mr.. and Mrs
John Mangan. Mr.. and Mrs Vier-
buchen. Mr.. and Mrs. Gosneil. Mr and
Mrs. Trower. Mrs! Hall. Mr.. and Mrs
Dennison, Mrs. Reed, Miss Gibbs. Mr.
and Mrs. Haar. Mr. and Mrs. Petzold.
Mr.. and Mrs. Winkleman, Major Bell,
Mr.. Dixon. Mr.. Grant. d. f. Brewer.
Mr. GuniOn. A Andrc, J. A. Gordon, F.
A. Rebstock, L. p. Steel. A NJ. Fried
iicks. G. l.. Brock, H& 5. Barrick.
George Gallagher. Joseph S,Johnston. G..
p Baden. j. Regan. ID. A H1ane. W. r.
Houchen- B. a Lehman. 6. E. Shooley.
The Washington times., 1906-04-05

President Roosevelt has arranged TO
meet the members of the Society of the
Daughters of the American Revolution
on the afternoon of April Il, the second
day of the annual congress, which will
meet here.
The Washington times., 1906-04-05

Mrs. Metcalf invited guests to lunch
con yesterday TO meet Miss Louise Van
Dyke Jones and Miss Cabot her house
guests She will not. however. entertain
formally until after Easter.
The Washington times., 1906-04-05

The Misses Hartman and Mr.. and
Mrs Robert Goelet have come from New
York as the guests OF Senator and Mrs
Elkins. and Miss Elkins has invited a
number OF guests TO meet them at dinner
tonight.
The Washington times., 1906-04-05

main as the guest or Miss Emily Tuck
erman during her stay in Washington.
viii meet society people at a tea given
In her honor by her hostess
The Washington times., 1906-04-05

The British Ambassador and Lady
Durand are planning to leave Washing
ton this spring for a visit 10 England.
They have not arranged 10 spend the
summer in Lenox, and though the am
bassador will return 70 this country
early i'm the summer season, il is not
likely that Lady Durand will come with
him. His excellency has become thor
oughly charmed with the Chevy Chase
golf links. and it is not improbable
that upon bis return to America he viii
spend the rest of the heated term at
this delightful suburban place.
William Seeds, attache Of the British
embassy, Will go 10 New York tomor-
row to remain for several days.
Miss Louise Van Dyke Jones niece of
the late Postmaster General Payne. who
has been the guest of the Secretary and
Mrs. Metcalf for a week past. will go
today TO remain for a weeks visit with
Mr. and Mrs. George Howard. after
which she will return to the MetcaIf
residence.
Miss Robbins. OF New Jersey, will ar
rive in Washington this week for a visit
with ex-Vice President and Mrs. Nor
ton, at their Washington home.
Commander and Mrs. Rodgers were
among the dinner hosts of last night.
Miss Maud Ely. accompanied by her
uncle. William Ingersoll. of Paris. has
sailed from Europe. where she has spent
the past few months. for this country.
and will arrive this week at the home
of her mother. Mrs. Richard S. Ely. I719
n street. in this city.
Lieut. Commander John II. Gibbons,
formerly in command OF the Dolphin,
but now naval attaChe of the embassy
at London, has also sailed for this
country on a three weeks leave. and
will come direct to Washington on
landing. His marriage to Miss Ely will
take place at st. Johns Church. April IS.
Commissioner of Pensions and Mrs
Warner left Washington yesterday for
their home at Clinton. III.
Nine. Leger and her sprightly nieces.
the Misses Bourke who have spent the
winter with her at the Haitian legation
In this city will shortly leave Washing
ton for a six weeks visit to Haiti
Miss Pansy Perkins. daughter of Sen
ator Perkins of California. will sail for
Europe the 1st of May TO spent the
summer there.
An interesting wedding to Washing
tonians will be that Of Staahope Henry
Of this city, to Miss Annie Louise
Brown. of San Antonio, Texas. which
will take place in the Travis Park
Methodist Church, in the latter town,
on the 18th of this month.
The prospective groom is well known
in this city, being one of the attorneys
in the Department of Justice. He is a
Virginiar by birth. and a great grand
son of the illustrious Patrick Henry,
whom he is said 10 resemble greatly
both in personal appearance and in
mental attributes Mr. Henry has
beautiful home a few miles out of
town.
Miss Brown is the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs John Nicholas Brown, the
father being a Virginian who went to
Texas many years ago and has grown
I'D with the State. Mrs Brown was
The Washington times., 1906-04-05

- man 1tA4t ttAb AL stay III W ].
will meet society people at a tea given
In her honor by her hostess
The Secretary of State and Mrs. Root
gave small dinner party last night
Mrs Root will leave town tomorrow for
the summer home at Clinton, n. Y.
Mrs. Bonaparte. wife of the secre-
tary Of tie Navy. came to Washington
Tuesday % attend the dinner given by
the President tO-the Governor General
of Canada and Countess Grey, but left
ar noon yesterday. She will probably
return TO Washington the first of the
week to be present at the regular Tues
day morning meeting OF the Cabinet
women with Mrs. Roosevelt
Mrs. Metcalf invited guests 10 lunch
con yesterday TO meet Miss Louise Van
Dyke Jones and Miss Cabot. her house
guests. She will not. however entertain
formally until after Easter.
The Misses Hartman and Mr. and
Mrs Robert Goelet have come from New
York as the guests OF Senator and Mrs
Elkins. and Miss Elkins has invited a
number OF guests TO meet them at dinner
tonight.
Miss Ps1line Morton. daughter Of the
en-Secretary of the Navy and Mrs. Paul
Morton, win Arrive IN Washington to
morrow TO SAY lcE ccNeTdt q the
guest OF Miss Elkins-
Mrs. J. Don Cameron and Miss Cam
ern returned TO their house in Lafayette
square Tuesday afternoon. after a two
weeks visit to their estate in North
Carolina. They entertained small din
ner party last night for Everard Jones
and Miss Jones of England; Miss Eliza
beth Hoyt. Of New York. and Z. WiIkin-
son, OF New York, who leave today for
their respective homes
II Is Mrs Cameron's intention to keep
her washington house open for et least
a month vet.
The Misses oliver have returned TO
Washington after a visit 20 Porto Rico.
where they were entertained by Gov
ernor Winthrop.
Senator and Mrs Burrows are expect
ing a visit from their daughter. Mrs
George McNeir. of New York. and Mr.
Taylor. of Kalamazoo.
The Washington times., 1906-04-05

Miss Robbins. OF New Jersey, will ar
rive in Washington this week for visit
with ex-Vice President and Mrs. Nor
ton, at their Washington home.