Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-11
FOR NEW SYSTEM
OF D. C. ACCOUNTS
Committee Purposes to Fix
Stricter Accountability for
Public Property.
CENTRAL WAREHOUSE is
KEYNOTE OF THE REFORM
Saving of Thousands Of Dollars An
nually Is Expected to Be
the Result.

Tentative plans for the establishment
of a new system of property accountable
nv for the District of Columbia govern
fncnt which, il is believed. will result in
4 saving 10 the city of thousands of dol
9ars annually. were approved today by
The Commissioners.
The Recommendations, which provide
Tor q central warehouse and bureau to
receive all records affecting accountability
tor property. We're submitted by COM
,nittee consisting of Auditor Alonzo Twee-
dale. chairman: W. A. Mcfarland, super
intendent OF the water department, and
NJ. c Hargrove. purchas ng officer.
The Commissioners rected the COM
nittee to proceed at once 10 arrange 1oi
the details necessary to carry out tne re.
forms suggested and to prepare nhai
report with Instructions for the success
ful operation of the system outlined
System Wholly Inadequate.
That the District government has
wholly Inadequate system for property
accountability and records is the conciu-
son reached by the committee Whlch
Vas appointed by the Comm ssioners
March - last TO investigate the matter
The recommendation for the establish
msnt OF a central storehouse ana receiv-
ing depot for the supplies rece Ned ps
the District is tn" same as one made ny
Mr. Redtield the Secretary of Commerce.
who last year. when member OF the
House District committee. conducted an
Investigation into the Districts method
Of purchasing and handling supplies
In its report the committee states that
IL has found that there are number OF
separate and distinct storehtuses and
property yards in the District OF Column
bia, some of which apparently have no
OIL, no
position OF property.
Received at eco Points.
In addition. ii is stated that the Dis
trict's business is so diversified and widely
spread that there are in the neighborhood
of 200 points at which property Is re-
ceived. and at some of these points there
is no one stationed who can give
proper receipt for articles or supplies
that are delivered.
Referring to the recommendation made
for the establishment OF central store
house. the report says:
IF this recommendation is approved DS
the Commissioners and authorized by
Congress. ii is believed that IT Will re-
suit in great economy to the government
i'm the saving Of money by permitting the
purchase of supplies in wholesale lots and
By securing an inspection or tEe mate
rails purchased and a comparison Win
the samples submitted by the bidde $. and
will also give greater efficiency TO the
government service by reason Of having
FIN stock materials and supplies needed
for immediate use.
Much time was consumed by the COM
mittee in its investigation in an effort to
devise suitable accountability plan. The
task is a difficult one. 1t Is stated, by
reason of the fact that with the large
classification of supplies. which last year
included more than 1000 separate ana
fQ %
spons.bility of the numerous Officials
charged Herewith is a matter that may
not be easily regulated. In addition, 1t is
suggested. al accountability system, II
ords and clerical services. would require
an excessive an almost prohibitive In
crease in such services.
Reduction in Record Work.
The committee states that 1t has made a
sufficient investigation to convinca II that
mechanical means may be adopted which
VIII make possible a reduction in the rec
ord work to such point as to give ac-
curate and constant information as to
each class of material or supplies in the
custody of each official charged with that
responsibility
The method of operation by which it is
suggested the accountability for property
shall be secured is. first, that a general
inventory OF the properly or the Llstrlct
shall be made and transmitted to the CEN.
trial accounting Office where the officer
having custody shall be charged with the
articles and the value thereof.
Second il is recommended that syS-
tenn Of invoices shall be established. 1t Is
proposed To secure a charge against all
officers for property received by @then-
Auditor Tweedale said today that the
committee will proceed at once to work
out the details of the plan and will have
4 complete report ready for transmission
10 the Commissioners at the earliest pos
sibIe time He said that probably the
only legislation which will be required
h0r tie construction