The Washington times., 1917-09-14

posed to have in France in less than
year. Until the arrival OF the ex-
perts in France, the vouchers for
payments to the soldiers and civilians
with the army now in France will be
returned to the usual source here for
auditing.
When the big force Of experts gets
settled in Paris, all vouchers and
other papers connected with pay
ments will be kept In France until
the conclusion OF the war, and suit
able provision will be made to pre-
serve them very carefully, as expert
ence has taught the Government that
claims against II on the part Of sol
| diers and their families are likely to
arise for fifty years or more after the
war. Even to this day the offices Of
comptroller and auditor are passing
upon bounty and other claims from
the civil war.
Government Must Prove Payment.
The onus is always upon the Gov
eminent to show that 1t has paid
its obligations" said Comptroller
Warwick today. The Government
must be prepared many years from
now, when claims are made, TO go
into its files and prove by vouchers
that claims were settled, otherwise
IL is again liable II claims can be es-
tablished. In civilian life a claim or
suit is outlawed after a certain time,
but not so with Uncle Sam"
The Government wishes 10 settle all
accounts abroad as promptly as pos
sible and also quickly pass upon the
many disputed questions that will
constantly arise. The offices OF the
auditor and comptroller have for years
been full Of disputes over the pay
ment OF army accounts. and the num-
ber OF these will be immensely aug
mented with a million soldiers on the
battiefelds Of France and probably
a million more in reserve at home.
The number OF claims is already in
creasing daily, and Congress has ar
ranged to supply more clerks in both
offices.
Last Resort on Claims.
The comptroller OF the Treasury Is
the last resort on all claims. He ab-
solutely holds sway over money pay
ments that will hereafter amount to
many billions each year. II he says
payment can not be made, that ends
il. II he decides favorably, that is
equally final A dissatisfied claimant
may go to the Court OF Claims and
obtain Judgment, but IL is then up 10
Congress to decide whether to appro-
PIRATE money to pay the Judgment.
Congress does not invariably follow
verdicts OF that court.
The offices OF comptroller and audi
tor are as old as this Government.
They were created by act Of Congress
In 1859 along with the Secretary of
the Treasury, United States Treasurer
and register of the Treasury. In all
those years there has been no attempt
to curtail the autocratic power OF the
comptroller. and there has never been
an investigation by Congress AFFECT
ing the integrity OF any Of the long
line OF officials who have held that
office. The salary OF the comptroller
IL $4,000 a year. a beggsrly sum for
the responsibilities devolving upon
him.
Not only have there never been
whispers Of dishonesty or graft con
nected with the office. but II is sell
dom that the Government IL muIcted
by overpayments through errors.
Some years ago a contractor sup
plying huge boilers for use at the
Panama canal, receiving pay upon the
estimated efficiency OF the power in
stalled by him, got $4,000 too much.
The Government has a suit pending
against him for recovery.