The Washington times., 1924-12-13
The Controller General a
Wonder on TechnicaIities
BY BILL PRICE.

T. McCARI Controller General Of the Treasury derives
$500 per diem employees Of the District Government Of fifteen
days the fsest possible technCay in the
face Of SPECIFIC AUTHORIZATION by Congress to the
District Commissioners to grant this leave.
This just sample Of how high and mighty official who
supposed to broadly literally and sensby interpret the
intent Of Congress and the spirit of legislation by body
can use old and shopworn legal presidents Of his office to
defeat plain justice and fair dealing with $500 paid
workers for the District of Columbia.
Such decisions make for law encouragement The
foundation of all law JUSTICE One reason today why
courts and many laws held in contempt and why
defiance growing to the extent that is actually menacing
the the actions OF judges and others playing
technicaes instead Of dealing with problems on the deem
ana ang grounds o. Justice and right as the law intends
that temporary employees of the Government shall not be
allowed leave Of absence sick leave It never the
intent OF civil service other laws that person employed for
month so by the Government should have any leave
privileges The word temporary" thus construed Is
sensiby correct.
In the District Government however there are $500 man
and women who are per diem employees yet Congress the
OF temporary employees when the words per diem en-
ployes" intended.
The District Commissioners went to Congress some years
ago and explained that these per diem employees are faithful
and efficient workers and asked that the Commissioners be
authorized to give fifteen days leave to all who had
ployes have been on these rolls for forty years
is common and fair custom in all business establish
mens TO give two weeks leave with pay employees who
have been the pay rolls from eight to twelve months In
the 1921 appropriation bill Congress recognized the pleas of
tne Commissioners as just and authorized the granting the
Not giving thought to the fact that high official was
lurking IN the bushes with techncaty AK Congress used
the words for the pay of temporary employees having
reference to the per diem employees had specifically
authorized the Commissioners to grant leave TO- they
desired.
The INTENT of Congress plain because it had acted
after the matter fully explained SPIRIT of the law
was plain Yet the word temporary is juggled with in al
manner contrary what had been intended and contrary
to every principle Of fair and square treatment of men and
women
The majority of these District employees are mechanics
street sweeper and aborers whose already
aDy small but the District Government wished show ap
O0nifSnn Of
best way was to grant fifteen days annual leave
Under the present regime of the Controller Generals Of
f1ce technicae have played famous role and have tied
up many branches of the Government The proper term for
the office as now operated should be CONTRARY GEN
ERAL OF THE TREASURY"
Ihs decision is outstanding sample Federal inter
ference in District affairs and the lack of self
the District
More than THREE-FoURTHs Of the money necessary to
run this FEDERAL CAPITAL is paid by WASHINGTON
PEOPLE who don't have voice in what shall or shall not
be done in expanding that money.