Devils Lake weekly world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1914, 1914-01-30
CONGRESSIONAL
PROBE IS DONE

Ian O'Laughlin, correspondent of The
Chicago Tribune, and was published
in the Tribune Thursday morning.
Washington, Jan. 2l-A perilous
condition of affairs has been revealed
in the Office Of the treasurer Of the
United States, probably the greatest
financial clearing house in the world.
1t was disclosed as a result of All ill.,
vestigation just ended.
The confusion which prevails is
such as to retard the work Of the au-
diting officers of the government, co
impair the efficiency Of the force
handling the accounts, to make evil
dent tho inability of the office to fur
nish the information desired by gov
drnment debtors and creditors, and
even to jeopardize the safety of the
public funds.
Flaws Found by Experts.
The report, presenting the results
of the investigation, has been handed
t. a correspondent by a high official
of the treasury department.
The investigation was made by liar
vey S. Chase & Co., certified public
accountants of Boston, who were EN-
ployed by the secretary of the treas
ury.
The findings Of this concern have
aroused Congressman Good Of Iowa,
who is insisting that in the legislative
executive and judicial bill a provision
be, inserted requiring the affairs OF
the t]reasurer's office to be investigat
ed Immediately. 1t is expected there
will be changes in the personnel Of
the treasurer's Office, the chief Of
which is former Governor John Burke
of North Dakota.
Perils Shown in Report.
Here, in brief, are the findings re-
ported:
l. There prevails a lack of accur-
ate knowledge regarding the condi-
llOu anu COIlcCtutsS VI udIloHdI DdHN
accounts.
?. Opportunities exist for gross
Irregularities which would enable tho
mulcting Of the government of huge
sums of money and the easy escape
Of the thieves.
3. The present method Of examin.
ing and clearing checks has produce
congestion, with the result that the
daily amount of uncleared checks has
not been below $4,000 in many
months.
4. No bank could continue in bust
ness were it to hold checks for &
week before charging them to thu
customers accounts.
S. Disburseing officers are unable
to secure statements of their account;
earlier than from one to four month
which, in he ease Of u private de
positdr, would cause him to chang
his bank Immediately.
Years Entries Six Billion.
During the year ending juno &C
1912, the total of the entries passing
through the books Of the treasurer
Office was closr to $G,H00.o00, 900.
The office maintains accounts l
1000 national banks. 1t furnishes tn
fnuls and keeps the accounts Of nca
~ 5000 government discussing OFF
GERS. 1t acts as agent for 900 bank
in the redemption OF their bank not
circulation, and it handles for tn
postoiiiee department the deposits {
surplus money order funds from 30
t00 postmasters.
1t receives every business day fro
2500o to .l0.ooo checks and it ma.
keep the continually changing rccol
of nearly $4,000, 100000 Of paper Gu
rency secured by gold and silver
its vaults.
In the performance of these an
other highly responsible duties, til
services of over GAO people are r
quired in the Washington office alon
Exact knowledge Demanded.
1t is apparent that to record Il
great amount Of business which pas
es through the trcasurer's office, wi
it's extraordinary maze of entire
transfers, issues, r%edemptions, e
changes, etc, not only is unusu
skill required from the hookkeepe
and accountants, but the system of
counting should be so complete al
effective in all its parts that it w
thoroughly control the Millions
items passing through the books ca
year and every moment safegua
the vast sums for which the treasnr
is responsible under the law.
Mr.. Burke, whose title is "trcs
trer Of Tie rnitl statos," was .
pointed to tie position he holds jar2
II bea&a of ia &a'igery Of +
--.7 y,-+..E -rr-.rItc, - !bo M