Evening star., 1907-11-05
DISBURSED BY DISTRICT
ANNUAL REPORT MADE BY
CHARLES c. ROGERS.
Over Nine Millions of Dollars Ex-
pended, With Cash Balance of
62,735.74.

Commissioners today, Charles c. Rogers,
disbursing officer of the District, showed
that the total amount of money advanced
] to his credit with the Treasurer of the
United States for the fiscal year ended
June 80 last was 81, ,532, ,21S.4s. OF this
total amount $9329, 1924 was expended,
leaving a cash balance on hand to his
credit at the end of the year of $262 :
1854.
Mr. Rogers report showed that his Of
flee was busy one during the year, and
that the work was considerably in excess
Of that Of the preceding year. This
| increase of work. he said was due to the
fact that many of the great improvements
now going on in the District are nearing
completion. and large forces of laborers
are employed on the elimination of grade
crossings. He mentioned the work Incl
dent to other big projects, which required
great deal of extra detail work.
During the year Mr.. Rogers issued 81
1888 checks in payment of vouchers pay
rolls. etc, which were audited and ap-
proved by the auditor. amounting to S.
9141 14S.19. and $415, ,333 80 was repaid to the
Treasurer of the United States by check
of the disbursing Office, to be placed to
the credit of the several appropriations,
trust and special funds from which orig
inally drawn. OF the total number of
checks, several thousand of which were
mailed only seven complaints were re-
ceived by the dsbursing officer and they
requirements of the Treasury Department
duplicate checks were issued in these
seven cases. and were properly received.
Amount of Cash Handled.
The total amount of cash handled in the
cashroom of the disbursing office and
paid to officers and employees of the Dis
trict building. mechanics and laborers on
the public works. etc, amounted to ST.
G22 1854. The disbursement of this sum
involved the preparation and payment of
cash in envelopes to over 5000 persons
twice month. in addition to many thou
sand miscellaneous payments over the
counter the separate cash payments ex-
ceeding 100000, during the last fiscal year
The cash payments referred to above
do not include the sa.aries of the officers
and teachers of the public schools, Of
ficers and privates of the police and fir
departments, officers and employees of the
Free Public Library, Washing gton Asylum,
board of children's guardians, industrial
home schools, etc. Thees salaries, in al
most every instance, were paid on the
first day of every month by the disbursing
officers check. CheckI were issued in
payment of pensions of the police and
fire departments on the third or fourth of
every month.
Vouchers Audited.
There were q, ,OOO,3S7 vouchers, audited
and approved for payment by the auditor
of the District, transmitted to the dis
bursting officer during the last fiscal year.
These included payrolls, and vouchers in
payment Of claims against the District,
supplies contract work. etc. Checks in
payment of these vouchers were either
| mailed to the claimants or delivered to
them over the counter.
IN nf
countants from the Office of the auditor
| for the State and other departments COM
| menced the examination OF the papers.
accounts, etc. of the disbursing office, and
| upon the completion of their work they
| made the following report: THAT their
examination disclosed that all moneys ad-
vanced to the disbursing officer by the
| United States had been properly account
| ed for, and that his Office was conducted
| in a business-like manner: They con-
| cluded their report by making acknoWi-
| edgement to the acting auditor, chief
| bookkeeper and disbursing officer for
courtesies and efficient assistance rem
| dered them in their examinations.
New System Adopted.
Mr.. Rogers called attention to the fact
that last April he and the auditor of the
District inaugurated a system by which
the formers moneys are accounted for
daily. BY this system the disburslng Of
ficer is debited each day with the amount
to his credit with the treasurer of the
United States, and given credit for the
amount of checks issued on that date. he
is then charged with the amount of the
previous days statement. to which are
added the amount Of checks when nave
been transmitted by the auditor for pay
ment-the disbursing officer then receives
| his credits from the vouchers and pay
| rolls, which have been paid and returned
| to the auditors office. and for paid
vouchers, subvouchers. sundry checks not
| delivered, cash in drawer and envelopes
| and checks for cash pay rolls which re
main in the disbursing ONCE. BY this
method the exact financial condition Of
| the disbursing Office is known every day.
Gratifying Exhibit.
Mr.. Rogers concluded with the follow
ing statement:
Under the law the stating and render
ing monthly to the accounting officers Of
the Treasury Department the accounts
relating to expenditures by the disburs-
ing officer devolves upon the auditor OF
the District of Columbia. 1t Is very
gratifying to report that in the final re-
view and examination by the treasury
officials the said accounts, covering over
nine million dollars in expenditures ano
accounts were settled without any diner
ences.
Municipal Building Commission.
Mr.. Rogers is also special disbursing
agent for the municipal building commits
sion. During the last fiscal year $I61, ,S54.3
was placed to his credit with the Treas
urer of the United States. OF this sum.
se9s. .635 95 was disbursed by check: $5O.-
939. 80 was repaid to the appropriation:
lea wing the sum of 81. 27872 in his credit
usth the Treasurer July 1. 1907. AS dis
bursing agent OF Rock Creek Park com
mission, $i4.055G2 was placed to his
credit with the treasurer. The d1sburse-
ments amounted to $12.943.52. leaving