The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-07-01
UNCLE SANS
EMBARRASSMENT
NEARLY ALL FEDERAL SALARIES
WITH EXCEPTION OF THOSE IN
PosToFFIcE DEPARTMENT. MAY
BE HELD UP-cAN'T GET quo.
RUM IN SENATE.

Concerning the reported embarass-
r1ent that might be caused the u
try by the failure of the senate's pas
sage OF the government appropriation
bills for the fiscal year comrnencing
today, which is said to be continued
on account of the democratic deadlock
at Baltimore preventing a uuorurn in
the upper house, a number of the To-
cal federal officials were seen today.
1t was found that nearly all salaries
with the possible exception of those
IN the ~postofffce department. will be
held UP until the passage of the bills
In the senate.
Postmaster PIumley was asked as to
the effect on the postal business of the
country, caused by congress failing to
pass the appropriation bills for the
fiscal year which commenced today.
He replied: II doubt If the effect will
be damaging, if these bills are put
through during the present month.
There is money already appropriated
to cover all services up to July 1, and
these bills will be audited and paid
in the usual manner, I anticipate. from
the orders at hand.
In regard to bills for this month,
in the postal service, the intimation
carried by the orders received is that
all salary bills are to be paid at the
old rate, but that no increases are to
be allowed or unusual payments made,
until congress passes the regular an
nuaI budget; the instructions do not
authorize payments and say that the
postmasters will be held responsible
for all money paid out in the interim,
but this is always the case in reality,
The department. instructs all post
masters to do everything necessary to
keep up the efficiency of the service,
blu to make no unusual payments,
thereby intimating that the usual pay
ments are to be made. This can be
done easier than in other departments
as the money is directly in control of
the department until such time as it
is turned over to the treasury.
ut is apparent that this course is
to be pursued, as Saturday orders were
received to resume payments Of the
rural carriers of this state for serv-
ices after July 1, by local checks on
banks in this city, instead of through
warrants drawn by this office on the
assistant treasurer in Chicago. This
change back to the local system would
seem to be taken to prevent any delay
in payments until congress gets the
annual appropriations through. These
rural carrier payments run to more
than $4,000 per month alone.
II have been informed hat the post
Office appropriation bill will not be
taken UP by the senate until July 10
and that two weeks have been agreed
upon for debate, and it will therefore
be nearly Aug. 1 before the measure
goes back to the house for conference
1t is therefore doubtful if the new
appropriations are available before
Aug. 10. The department is apparently
straining every point, without directly
violating the law, to have the service
OF the postoffices go on without inter
ruption, Notwithstanding the failure oil
congress to pass the usual a%ppropria-
lions.
"In regard to the treasury depart
ment, the situation is somewhat diff
ferent, as nearly all payments are
made by warrant drawn on the treas
ury, and where the service was com
pleted before June 80, the payments
can still be made, if the appropriation
was not exhausted, but all payments
for services or material after July
viii have to be deferred until the ap.
preparations are available. This vii
affect everything in regard to pay
n1ent for custodian service in regard &c
the public building here. 1t is believed
that M will soon provide this
necessary funds"
u. S. Marshal Shea, u. S. Attorney
Engerud and Clerk Of Court Montgom-
cry were each out OF the city this
morning so could not be interviewed
regarding this matter, but it wa:
learned from several deputies in The
various government offices that, ac'
cordinz to notification from Washing,
ton, the June salaries would be with
held until the passage of the appro'
priation bills, which would probably
not be until after the adjournment o.
the Baltimore convention when all tn,
senators will again be at their desks
A balance of less than $4,000 is still
In the general fund Of the United
States marshars Office which guaran.
tees the payment Of all the court ex'
penses, but annot be used for the
salary list.