West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-02-04
DOUBLE PAY
Is Drawn BY Employees Of State and
None Is Refunded-Tax Commas.
sioner's Audit Uncovers Glaring
Extravagance with Military on
GERS

turning their attention more than
ever to the question of extravaganza
in the expenditure OF the states
money. and which extravaganza is
said to be largely responsible for the
present huge deficit in the treasury.
OF the state.
What appears to be one of the most
fragrant. and possibly illegal, instan-
ces OF this extravaganza has been
uncovered by the audit made by the
tax commissioners Office in connec-
ton with the expenses OF the militia
sent to Paint and Cabin Creeks dur
ing the big strike OF 1912 and 1913.
This audit revealed the somewhat as
founding fact that number of the
officers. who were already in the en-
ploy OF the state, received double
compensation; that is, they received
the per diem prescribed by statute
Tor their work in the military field
and continued to draw their salaries
as employees of the state for the same
time during which they served in the
field. This is a matter of public rec
ord, and the facts and figures can de
easily verified at the tax commission
ers Office by any citizen who might
be sufficiently interested TO make an
investigation.
The following paragraph contains
the finding OF the commissioner and
the demand that the amount of dou-
Die compensation should be refunded
10 the SSate. 1t is understood that
the Military per diem is prescribed
by/statute; so that, according to the
View OF the tax commissioner, any
other compensation received from the
state for the same time covered by
the per diem would be illegal. The
finding Is as follows:
we find that several of the regu-
lar employees of the state drew dou-
BILE compensation because of the fact
that they performed at least a part
OF their regular service and contin-
ued to receive pay therefor while
drawing compensation as officers or
soldiers.
We are of the opinion that it is
against public policy for a person
who Is In regular employ of the state
and receiving monthly compensa-
ton therefrom to receive i'm addition
to said monthly compensation a per
diem compensation out of moneys
belonging to the state. We are un-
able to determine from the records
the amount of time devoted to Office
duties and the amount of time de-
voted to military duties, hence set out
the facts as disclosed by the records
SO that the proper authorities NAV
take whatever steps are necessary to
obtain proper adjustment.
The amount of double compensa-
ton should be refunded to the state"
One of the principal officers re-
ceived from the payroll of the West
virginia National Guard for the
months of August, September, Octo-
Der. November and December, 912. the
sum OF $SS667, while receiving for the
work which he wa supposed to do
ior the state during the same five
months the amount of $3.50 This
officer drew two compensations for
period OF so days. and one and two
thirds compensation for a period of
sixty-one days.
Another received for military SER
vices in October 1888, while receiy
ing from the state for October and
November the sum of $40. The state
ment shows that he drew two COM
pensations for a period of twelve
days.
one of the lieutenants received
from the National Guard $2O5.56 for
August and a part of July. while re-
ceiving $3.50 from the state for the
two months mentioned. His double
compensation covered a period OF 80
days.
Other prominent officers received
two compensations, in whole or I'm
part, as follows: The first received
for military service for August and n
part of July $30S.33 and drew from
the state for the two months men
toned sum of $36G.66. The second
$246.66 for military service covering
the same period as the preceding Off
Ger. while his stipend from the state
for the two months of July and Aug
ust was $3.50. He was kindly treated
to double allowance for SO DAYS. also.
In addition to this double nav this
particular officer received even
third compensation for $12G.66 for his
services as secretary OF the commits
sion appointed by the governor TO
Investigate the trouble in the Kama
wha Valley, thereby receiving a third
compensation for August 20, 30 and
81. in addition TO the two compensa-
tons already set out.
Another lieutenant was blessed
with $25499 from the w. V. ~ @. for
parts OF September, November and
December, while his state salary for
these three months was only S5O0O2
He drew lucky turn, getting double
compensation for a period OF fifty
four days, or practically two months.
So far as can be learned none OF |
the money involved in these double
and triple compensations has been re- |
funded to the state in accordance
with the recommendation OF Mr..
Blue.