The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-30
STORY TOO SIMPLE
FOR CRED UL|TY
Committee Refuses to Believe
Tale Told by Michael and
Morrison
LEAVE SERVICE
MUST
Evidence That They Misappro-
priated Funds Too Strong
for Their Retention.


Washington, June 2o.--Misappropria-
ton of State Department funds is
charged and a accommodation that
William II. Michael, former chief clerk
OF the department.. now American CON
sul-general at Calcutta. and Thomas
Morrison. disbursing clerk, be dis
missed FOR the good of the public
service and the integrity OF public off,
Gals Is made in report adopted to-
day by the House Committee on En-
penditures in the State Department
This is the result OF an investigation
by the committee into an alleged en-
penditure by the department of So
$50 for painting of former Secretary
of State Day, OF which amount the
artist Albert Rosenthal, said he re-
ceived only $3.50. the remaining $1,000
being unaccounted for.
The conclusion reached by your
committee. the report says, seems
Irresistible that this sum of $1,000 was
Jointly misappropriated by Michael and
Morrison. or individually by Michael.
either through the incompetence OF or
the connivance of Morrison
Michael. who is now holding the
responsible position OF consul general
at Calcutta, India. and Morrison. VINO
still holds the perhaps still more re-
sponsihle position OF disbursing clerk
or the Sta-s Department.. should long
since have been removed from Office.
and even now 1t is not too late to
remove both OF said officials for tho
good of the public service and the
integrity of public officials
Too Simple for Credulity.
IN regard to the voucbar {os ,-n
which. the State Department reported
could not be found when the com
mittee began Its Investigations. hut
which later was discovered on the
iloor of the disbursing clerks ONCE
the report says:
me circumstances under which this
voucher was discovered, especially AZ.
ter the matter had been given so much
puolicity. are too simple for human
creduiity. The conduct of the officials
OF the State Department in trying 10
e"heeai, ana. in fact. in concealing for
ABOUT ten days from the committee,
.he tact that the said voucher had
peen found. does not comport with any
honest efforts on their mart 70 haus
all the facts known and cannot there.
fore. be commended by your commit
tee"
me late Secretary OF State Jobn
nay is completely eNonerated from
any connection with the misappropria-
'ion- In letter to the state Depart-
ihent In 1905, Michael declared that
lie had turned the unaccountcd for
money over TO Secretary Hay. when
the letter was written, Mr.. Efav woc
dead
Does your committee think il cred
i.aoie. says the report, that the late
secretary Hay either appropriated this
'iooo to his own use or that he per-
sohaily and without the knowledge and
assistance of some subordinate in HE
state Department used the same in
payment for Some matter relating TO
intercourse or treaty with foreign ma
lions, either of which ho must have
done II the said $1,000 is TO be nc
counted for as having been actually
handled by Secretary Hay?
Do Not Believe story.
me only intimation tending to re-
nect upon Secretary Hay comes from
the letter of Michael and this we do
not believe. for. aside from Secretary
rays character. no could easily have
signed voucher for this sum. 10 be
expended in foreign relations"
According to the law. the Secretary
OF State is not required to show Tho
specific purpose for which money "for
Continued on Eighth Paea-17