Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-19
EfMR. WEST RESPONDS
GIVES HIS VERSION OF DIR. CHAN
CELLoB's oRIEvANCE.
Matter Of Expense Allowance for
Southern Trip-Ths Controllers -
Action Cited.

1a0 0tbSE0uC6o 8nQ Cx1IxC10u1O oQOFOSoe1
to the District Commissioners which have
been attributed to DIR. w E. Chancellor.
superintendent Of schools, because the Com
missioners rescinded their order allowing
him $2o0 expense money for his inspection
visit to the colored educational Institutions
OF the south. were discussed at the District
building today.
Commissioner West. in q statement made
this morning. regarding the action OF the
District Commissioners In revukfng the
order. said DR.. Chancellor is iaboring under
Misrepresentation and is wrong in jumping
to the conclusion that the Commissioners
were DESTROYS Of refusing him the necesz
sary expense money. He said that as a
matter of fact, the Commissioners are in
nearly accord with the trip proposed by
Dr. Chancellor. as they believe his visit to
the colored institutions Of learning in the
south will be OF considerable benefit and
value. and that they lost no time In APP
proving the requisition for the expense
money when it was presented to them.
MI: West said he regretted that all this
publicity had been given the matter. and
pointed out that the only question raised
at any time about this matter was that of
determining the legality Of the Commits
sioners granting the 500 and to learn how
Ine money should be paid. However, the
commissioner declined to further discuss
the subject and absolutely refused to COM
ment on the local instructors indignant
statements and utterances regarding the
action Of the Commissioners especially his
charge OF vacillation and Of acting as in
ofvtdualS rather than as body. Mr. West
said, however, that DR.. Chancellor has a
right to his views and opinions as have the
commissioners q right to be watchful and
cautious regarding the expenditure of pub
lie funds which are trusted to them.
Mr.. Vests Statement.
AS correct account Of this affair Com
missioner West said:
When the resolution adopted by the
board Of education was presented to the
commissioners Mr.. West, who conferred
with Auditor Garrison as to the payment of
the expenses out Of the contingent fund.
approved the journey the expenditures
would be allowed. Commissioner West at
once made a motion agreeing to the trip.
which was promptly approved by the Com
missioners.
Last Saturday morning Auditor Garrison
brought to MIR. Vests attention a decision
OF the controller Of the currency. of which
ne had not been cognizant at the time Of
the nrst conference, which raised the ques-
ton whether the account would be allowed
Dy the Treasury Department. Inasmuch az
the disailowance of the account would re-
suit In the payment Of Dr. Chancellor's exi
tr1ct. or an appeal to Congress for a de-
ficiency appropriation. Commissioner West
telephoned the Franklin School building,
suggesting that If DR.. Chancellor had not
until he could make further investigation.
Mr. West thereupon personally visited the
treasury Department and conferred with
Controller Tracewell.
Suggestion Of the Controller.
After consulting the law. Judge Trace
well decided that the order Of the Com
missioners was legal and would not be dis
allowed, but suggested that the order which
allowed DR.. Chancellor 5000 for expenses be
changed so as to fix the maximum of his
expenses at IS per day. exclusive of rail-
road transportation, thus conforming with
the practice of the Treasury Department
Upon returning to his Office Commissioner
West notified the office Of the superintend-
ent that the matter had been satisfactorily
arranged.
There was no opposition at any time
In the Commissioners office to Dr. Chan
cellor's proposed journey. and the amount
Of $500. which was in the original order.
was Dr.. Chancellors own figure =
commissioner West absolutely declined
to comment upon DR.. Chancellors utter
ances. but added that he had no apologies
to make for exercising what seems to be
proper watchfulness and caution regarding
the expenditure of public money"
When DR.. Chancellor was seen at his
office this afternoon by a Star reporter, he
stated he had received no official commu-
nication from the Commissioners in refer
ence to the matter. but that he will mako
the trip south even II he goes at his own
expense.
The published statement that the next
meeting Of the board Of education had been
postponed until Wednesday. November %,
Is denied. It will be held next Wednesday,
as originally decided upon. It was officially
stated.