Devils Lake weekly world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1914, 1914-01-30
J.. 5. TREASURY BOOKS
IN TANGLED CONDITION

Much of the confusion which pre-
walls is attributed to the use Of a
machine for the clearance of checks,
which is under the charge of Jasper
N. Baker, an examiner in the office
of the director of the mint. MI. Bali-
,er was assigned to the treasurer Of
fee though such assignment is assert
ed to have been illegal. Mr.. Baker is
said to have the ear of Assistant Sec
rotary Of of the treasury Williams,
something Mr.. Burke does not enjoy.
Formerly Were Kept Exact.
During the Spanish-American wal,
when the work was far heavier than
it is today, the treasurer's office is
said to have been up to date at all
times.
In February LIST the treasury de-
partment, because Of the congestion
reported, put into force a new method
of paying government creditors. This
carried with it the transfer to Wash
ington the accounts of nearly all the
disbursing officers of the government
and as a result the Office was over
whelmed by the volume of business
which fell upon it.
Extraordinary efforts were made to
recover from the disorder into which
the accounts were thrown by reason
of this change of method, but the
work of the Office in September last
at the end of seven months, accord
ing to the Chase report, was in a
serious condition.
Makes Demands for Remedy.
"With the work on national bank
accounts two and one-half months
behind hand,' the report says, "with
a week Or more accumulation Of nu-
cleared checks constantly on hand,
with disbursing officers accounts un-
balanced and unstated for months.
with controlling accounts ignored by
reason of the pressure of details and
with the task of bringing order out
of the confusion which now exists
deemed hopeless by tho clerks en-
gagd upon the work, it is manifest
that the efficiency Of the staff is SER
iously affected, and THAI he condition
calls for immediate and effective rem
edies.
"On account Of the transfer to
Washington on Feb. l, 1913 of all dis
bursting officers accounts Except a
few kept in Hawaii and the Philip
pines) the treasurer's office is carry
ing on its books accounts with over
$500 discussing otficErs, which are
kept in nine lodges and supposed 70
be controlled by summarized accounts
in the 'cash room.' AS a matter of
fact these controlling accounts are
such in name only, no attempt having
been made since Feb. l, to reconcile
the total of the balances in the de-
tailed lodges with the controlling
accounts
"In fact the detailed accounts have
at no time been in such shape thai
a total of the balances could be talk
en- off,
Accounts Which Show Peril.
This statement is illustrated by thu
following example taken from one o
the hedges.
: Accounts .17045, redemption agent
. United States treasurer, national banl
redemption agency.
i, From February ! to August so tn
e total credits to this account O
T. the ledge. were Sl,n 16G. 5ta.a: :n'
i the totai debts were $3.50, 3D. ,6a6.0i
S 80 balances have been entered i
> this account since it Vac started
c The difference between the two side
f is a credit of 423, ~O73,933.S5, while tn
:. balance to the credit of this accouu
OF. that day according to the cas-
n room statement was &2S,6l7, 1891 l.
a difference of over five and one hal
d millions Of doll4rs.
Difference Of S6O6,806.
II Account 17042.> Redemption an
exchange account:
Il The balance to the credit of tn
G account according to the ledger o
e. August so, was, $1,256,2SS.09. Tt
balance according to the cash roo
on the same day was $l,S63 ,O94.3
lie a difference of $500, SO6.26.
S. Account 17041. Treasury warrant
Ii From February l to August 80 81
8, 0l4,336,.S6 was charged to this a
X cunt. One credit for the insignifce,
al sum of $15 appears against tn
RS heavy debt. In other words, on i
ac face the account shows an overdra
ID Of $15,O14,321.6s, while as a matter
fact it should show a credit balan
of of $3,~733,s05.3l, according to Il
III daily chash statement of August 3