The Washington times., 1907-07-12
Inspection of Books
Found Necessary
Now.
Changes in the Law
Will Probably Be
Made.

cAIllgeuL DOlQllg ana In8 eIrOrCeG
ment OF the bonding clause that permits
inspection Of bookkeeping and an an
nual stock taking is practically the only
method OF guarding against defalcations
OF the Kemp class. according 70 Major
Sylvester, Superintendent Of Police.
As a result OF this alleged shortage in
the accounts OF Kemp. former caief
clerk and property clerk OF the Police
Department, Major Sylvester viii prob
ably recommend several changes in the
law governing the duties OF the prop
erry clerk.
Kemp Shocked All.
Commenting OF the disappearance OF
Kemp. Major Sylvester said this morn
ing.
The disappearance OF the p-opertv
clerk OF the Police Department after a
service Of a quarter OF a century. dur
ing which time ne enjoyed the conf
dence Of the Attorney General Majors
Dye. Walker. Moore. and the present
Chief OF Police, as well as the public.
by whom he was widely known. was a
shock TO al.
The Office OF property clerk Of the
police district is one. In Itself where fbe
law prescribes what he shall do in r.
ceiving property and disposing OF in he
not being subject 20 direction IN the
HlalteEs except by the courts He IS z
quasi judicial officer. empowered 10 hear
testimony and determine claims. Were
MS property examined yearly or month
j" ~ would not prevent his disappearing
with II az any time. and his bond seems
the only real security.
VIII Consult New Clerk.
1T is likely the superintendent OF Po-
Ice viii recommend some change in ths
law after consulting with the new prop
erty clerk. which may strengthen the
situation The case which has surprised
the community was one where the re-
ceiver and custodian abstracted from
that in his charge. as a cashier often
does.
1T was the same with the assessment
insurance payments. They were taken
by MIN Instead Of being delivered 70 the
bene1CiaTies, and the association urll no
doubt arrange for payment 70 De made
Greet on receipt OF assessment here
after. All business concerns must con
nde In assistants and they go wrong
now and then
"stringent, bonding seems the best
method. with enforcement OF the bond
Ing clause, that permits inspection by
methods IN bookkeeping and taking an
annual stock inventory the same as u
employed by storekeepers."
To Bond Assistants.
Acting on the request Of Edwin B.
Hesse, the newly appointed chief clerk.
Major Sylvester will require a bond
from the assistants or the chief clerk.
whose work necessitates the handling
Of property and money.
Mr.. Hesse told me that while he had
perfect confidence in the men under
him. he would feel much more secure IL
they were placed under a bond ike
himself" said the major. 'sI consider
II only fair TO the property clerk that
this aCuOn be taken, and in adopting
this policy the property and funds in
the possession OF the department will
be amply secure"
To systematic Work.
Mr.. Hesse viii also have the work OF
his clerks systematized in such a manner
that il will be an easy matter OF the
superintendent or other officials 10 have
an accounting made at any time
John J. German, secretary 10 Inspec-
tor Boardman, in charge Of the detec-
tive bureau, has been selected by Major
Sylvester 10 MI the vacancy caused by
the promotion OF Mr.. Hesse- Mr. Cor
man has been connected with the Police
Department since 1855. and is amply
qualified 10 serve as private secretary
TO the major. Mr.. German is son OF
the late John German, a retired police
man, and one Of the veterans OF the
force
So many theories have been advanced
about the whereabouts OF Kemp that
the police can attach little credence to
them. Numerous clues, each conflict
ing with the other. have been handed
ou. by persons who have heard rllmors
locating the missing chief clerk in all
parts OF the United States and foreign
countries.
Every method known 20 police officers
in the detention Of criminals has been
~
kemp. Circulars with a photograph and
description Of the missing man have
been sent broadcast over the country.
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