Evening star., 1911-08-24
Chairman Johnson viii Spend
Entire Summer Here.
FINDS BOOKS IN TANGLE
Inquiry Into District Finances a Big
Undertaking.
Has YEARS WORK IN SIGHT
Early Partnership Accounts Diff
cult to Unravel-Big Improve
ment In Recent Years.

Representative Ben johnson of Ken
lucky. chairman OF the House District
committee has decided to forego his
vacation this summer and to spend his
time between now and the converting OF
the regular session of Congress In De-
cember right here I'm Washington super
intending the investigation by Account
ant Mays Into the financial relations be
tween the United States and the District
or Columbia since the formation of the
existing partnership by the organic act
OF 1873.
The resolution introduced by Repre-
sentative Oldfeld OF Arkansas, a member
OF the District committee. which was
passed by the House. provided IL will b.
remembered, for an exhaustive inquiry
into all branches OF the District govern
ment. and also into the operation OF the
street railway companies and other pub
lie service corporations. 1t appropriated
5000 for the employment of an expert
accountant to assist the committee.
Underestimated Task.
When tho resolution was passed the
members Of the District committee were
confident that the first stage of the in
quiry, embracing a determination OF the
truth OF Chairman Johnson's allegation
that the District of Columbia was In
debted to the federal government. as a
result OF faulty bookkeeping. to the ex-
tent of several millions OF dollars, could
be concluded within a few weeks. This
was on the assumption that the accounts
Of the District and the federal govern
ment had invariably been kept by book
keepers qualified to hold their positions.
This assumption, It has become apparent.
was entirely faulty.
Although Mr.. Mays has been working
steadily on this one phase of the in
veetigation for q couple OF months, the
end of his la.bors Is not even in sight.
While the books Of the District of Co
lumbia have been admirably kept during
recent years and the books of the fed
eral government show much improve
ment, 1t 10 nevertheless asserted as q
fact that the accounts OF the partner
ship for q quarter OF q century or 50
are mixed UP In an almost hopeless tan
gle. The governments books having to
do with the Districts accounts show
credits and debts and transfers made
apparently without rhyme or reason. and
large sums OF money are left apparently
''in the air.
This condition has necessitated exhaus-
tive researches not only through the
ledgers. day books and journals. but has
made essential the hrst-hand inspection
Of thousands OF checks dug out of the
vaults OF the Treasury. many of which
were rotted and difficult OF identification.
Would Have Been Expensive.
The members Of the District committee
have been congratulating themselves for
some time that they did not let out the
work Of auditing these books for the last
years to one OF the regular
which make q speciality of the
as 1t is estimated that the cost
would In that event have been not less
than $4,000
After Mr.. Mays, who IL a certified ac-
and who has had many years OF
experience In municipal work, completes
the most difficult part OF his task includ-
ed IN the review Of the partnership ac-
counts In the eighties, he will have q
much easier time and will be able to COM
plete his work on this phase of the in
qutry within reasonable limits.
As stated. even a casual inspection has
that the books OF the Dis
trict Of Columbia have been kept In
splendid condition during recent years
and that there has also been a great i'm
provement In the method OF keeping the
government accounts. But at present Il
is not possible to estimate how much
more time the accountant must spend in
order to determine whether or not there
ls any basis for Chairman Johnsons
charge that the District owes the federal
government several millions Of dollars.
General Review Planned.
After this branch OF the inquiry is COM
pleted Mr.. Mays will move from the
Treasury to the District building and
make a study of the taxation and assess
nent system of the District. He will also
ook into the other bureaus and review
he formation and financial condition or
he public service corporations.
Then, after he has completed this phase
If the work, the District committee will
,e called together and extensive hearings
will be held. All this indicates that IL
Will be at least a year before the commit
zee Is able to conclude it's work and make
ts report to Congress.