The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-02-23
Holds a lob Under Uncle Sam and Is
Employed Elsewhere Also.
DRAWING SEVERAL FAT SALARIES
This Is a Matter That Should Have
Demanded Congressman Nc
Cieary's Ate ntion.

Washington, Feb 2O-In its pre-
paration of the legislative. executive and
judicial appropriation oil, the house
committee on appropriations is making
an inquiry into the necessity for prac-
tically every item asked for by the var
ious departments of the government.
An estimate made by the librarian of
congress for SlS0,000 to erect sep
arate building in the court of the library
for the storage of newspapers, has caus-
ed scme interest.
The librarian has explained that the
rapid advancement in the making of
books and newspapers is filling the
mammoth building much more rapidly
than its designers anticipated, so that
the time which it will be filled to its
capacity. is not far distant.
To ascertain how much time Bernard
II. Green, custodian gives to the work
at the library. Mr.. Tawney asked the di-
rect questions:
II cannot answer that except to say
that | am employed all the time" an
swered Mir. Green.
you are the architect employed in
the construction of the national museum
building?" asked Mr.. Tawney.
Il am doing that as general contrac
tor for the government. | have been in
the business so long that | do bust
ness for Uncle Sam in that way" re-
sponGcd Mr.. Green.
You get extr. compensation for that
over and above your salary?"
Il get $4,000 year for that"
"Do YOU do work for outside parties
in addition to that?"
To this Mr.. Green replied that some
times he did when his friends wanted
him to help them. Just now he is en-
gagged in that capacity with regard to
the construction of an addition to the
Raleigh hotel in this city.
"Did you not also superintend the con
struction of the New Willard hotel?
asked Mr.. Tawney
Il did look after it for the owners
They are friends of mine. | have not
time TO do bushes of that sort regularly
to make il business of it, but
''Are you not employed as superin-
tended of construction of the state cap
ital at Harrisburg, Pa" interjectcd Mr..
Tawney
"No, sir. / simply acted as a general
advisor to the commission. | simply
went to their meetings once month";
what compensation did you receive
for that seryice?"
THAT is private matter" responded
Mr.. Green, ''but | have no hesitation in
telling YOU / received $4,000 year and
my travelling expenses. People come TO
me once in while TO answer Il question
professionally, and | sometimes do it.
/ am not engaged in supplying anything
do. / have worked for the government
all my life"
Mr.. Green said that the work at Har-
risburg is now ended; that it had lasted
three years.
That there is a constant tendency on
the part of the government departments
to divert appropriations made by con-
gress for one purpose to some other end
has been testified to before the commit
tee by Comptroller Tracewell of the
treasury department. in answer to ques-
tions by Chairman Tawncy OF the com
mittee.
The comptroller explained that wher
errors of this kind reached him, he en-
deavored to make transfers so that the
proper funds should be applied, but
when this was impossible, he disallowe,
the payment and then congress had t'
be applied to for an allowance to mce'
the deficiency. When asked by Mr.
Tawney if all of these cases reached
him Mr. Tracewell replied:
II know that great many of then
do not Even with my six experts,
can only examine one out OF five hun
drcd accounts settled by the auditors.
That the committee has an eye out To-
"press agents." was indicated in the ex
animation of Chief Clerk Ludlow of Thu
treasury department.
"Iow many clerks in the treasury de
nartment are detailed for newspape
work." queried Chairman Tawney.
"We have clipping bureau, an'
there is one clerk there and one messen
ger. Think responded Mr.. Ludlow.
"You are sure there is only ont
clerk" pursued Mr.. Tawney
"That is all. There is one clerk a
$500. and I think one assistant mes
senger at 500.
"What do they DOR
sThey read the newspapers and mak'
clippings that are of interest to TIN