Evening star., 1923-02-09
CAPITAL KEYNOTES
BY PAUL y. COLLINS.

Some one has cruelty suggested
that a major part Of the $A4as.154.s2
belonging to the District of Coium-
bia which the Treasury had lost in
It's accounting be devoted to estab-
lishing "chair" Of accountancy in
all kindergartens. New discoveries
by experts now claim several millions
more, while a statesman in the House
denies that anything IL due the Dis
trict. What are a few millions. more
or less. between such friends as the
District and some Of the members?
1t is folly not to install cash regis
ter where it can be used by all who
receive or disburse the funds of these
poor subjects" of Congress. 1t is
too easy to mislay a million.
Many months have followed the
dismissal of twenty-eight old en-
ployes of the bureau of engraving
and printing. The dismissal was
made so summariiy and in such a
cloud OF accusing mystery that the
public could draw but one inference.
and that of the most damning char
acter. The victims OF that dismissal
could hardly face the world, while
under such a cloud. and expect pri-
vate employment. A prisoner re-
, leased from the penitentiary was in
[ a better position to ask for another
| opportunity to make good. having
| paid the penalty Of his misstep. The
dismissed employees could not claim
any defense. any retribution. for
There were no defined accusations. One
died broke hearted. How have the
others survived?
Ten months have followed since
that scandal. Now It transpires that
| 1t was all a mistake. Nothing Grim
! In al has been discovered. The admin
! istration is sorry" Maybe the vic
Tins will be reinstated-some day
! for all were under civil service pro-
| lection and none had done any wrong
| thing. Probably they will not be put
| back at their old salaries nor in
| their old positions. but somewhere
| somehow. at some rate, they will be
| taken care Of" No, their idle time
1 is not to be recompensed. Sorry!
That's their misfortune. Sorry! One
! is dead, with a broken heart.
| X X X
| II appears that the President trust
| ed to the report of some personal in
1 ves.igator of the rumors that some
| thing was wrong. The investigator
looked in and counted the sheets oi
money-perhaps--a his cash failed
dies were ordered. Since then, calm
searching Investigations have been
| made by Treasury experts and moth
ing-nothing criminaL-has been un-
earthed. The dsmissals were blum
ders. The President was misled by
| superficial investigation. or course
he will make amends. When? The
dismissals were more sudden than the
jamends.
Weeks have elapsed since the win
dication by the Investigators. From
day to day, word has come that th'
jtwenty-seven would be given re-em
ployment though in other service
and at reduced salaries. They wer'
quite innocent as charged. but mus
not complain. Still no assignmen
has been made. No apology from tn,
President is forthcoming. Even th
Secretary of the Treasury appeali
Yor justice to the victims. but the De
APARTMENT Of Justice officials (save thu
mark.) would justify the President IL
doing nothing more about the matter
tSecretary Mellon frankly says tha
merely giving the victims re-employ
ment is not sufficient vindication
What In the mystery behind the situa
ton? Why does not the Presiden'
act? Senator Caraway has introduc
ed q resolution calling for an investi
cation, but that hangs In committee
X
The Senate insists on the rein
statement by the House Of the regula
retirement pay Of Maj. Gen. Harbor6
The major general retired from tn
| Army, Is entitled to do. under the re