Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-26

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House appropriations committee, who
ganization Of about So which would
mean a tremendous saving, adding:
This would likewise bring about
economies in the general accounting
office. as there would be a, proportion
ate reduction in the number of ac-
counts received for audit and such &C
counts would be in infinitely better
condition, and, for the most part free
from unlawful payments
More Effective Control.
In explaining his recomme ndations
for more effective control at all times
of public moneys, Mr.. McCarl says.
Originally payments were made
only through Treasury warrapts and
after audit. This was the safe method
devised by the fathers, but as the
volumesincreased there appeared need
for prompter payments than then
was possible under such safe method.
and the present day disbursing officer
came into being. In the beginning be
was a trusted representative of the
Treasury, with adequate bond for
faithful accounting, but gradually
there was obtained from the Congress
permission to have these disbursing
officers attached to the spending agen-
cieS-for what reason it is difficult to
perceive-until now they are general
ly so attached as officers or employees
of the agencies which pledge the ap-
propriations. Such an arrangement,
as seems obvious, tends to weaken
control by law and to encourage dis
regard Of limitations and directions
.rs. ~ otNI Of
most difficult the full accomplishment
Of the duties imposed by law upon the
accounting officers.
'It would tend greatly to encourage
law observance in the use Of apprO-
priated funds if those intrusted with
the duty of making payments were
removed from the control of the
spending agencies"
The Moore resolution has twice re-
Gently been the subject of discussion
in the House chamber. Mr.. Madden
last March argued strongly in favor
of completing 1.-The circle of defense"
of the Treasury of the United States.
He said:
II suppose there is no committee in
the House that has SO broad jurisdic-
penditures. They have the power to
ments of all kinds from the depart
ments over which they have jurisdic-
ton. and to investigate not only the
details of every expenditure, but they
have the power to investigate the
legality of every expenditure. They
could, il they would, supply the House
with information which would be
invaluable, but they never have, ex-
cept in one or two rare instances.
Same Political Faith.
Unfortunately the committees on
expenditures usually are manned by
men Of the same political faith as the
and they do not want
to investigate their own administra-
ton. They have the power to do it if
they would.
II recall that in the past one man
made a great national reputation by
his work as chairman of one of these
small committees. He impeached the
Secretary Of War fOr malfeasance in
office: he showed up the rotteness of
and made himself q name
that was known all over the United
States. He was later on elected gov
ernor of his State. Senator from his
State. and lived in the eyes of the
American people until he grew old
and passed on.
1.-THE proposal suggested in the
amendment offered to the rules by the
gentleman from Virginia would pro-
vide a new agency to cooperate with
the agency already created by the
Budget. 1t would. of course, abolish
the IL small committees. That might
not be so easy, because those who are
a ssigned to duties on those committees
would be jealous of their rights. But
1t would assign to duty Fl men, il the
rules were amended to permit of the
suggestion. who would act in con-
junction with the appropriations
and with the ways and
means committee and also with the
General of the United
States. They would fill in missing
link: they would have the power to in
vestigate. to ascertain the legitimacy
Of the expenditure. and ascertain
whether or not the expenditure was
being made according to law. whether
they were being made extravagantly
or conservatively, whether wisely or
and they would be able to
information which neither
the Controller General nor the ap-
committee Is now able
to obtain because of the pressing bust
ness which pushes them forward to
the conclusion of the problems that
confront them. They would supply
which we are now unable
to get and upon which ] think many
financial reforms might be had"
Moore Debates Point.
Again. ON December 10. this matter
was discussed in the House when
Moore called attention
to the Controller Generals report,
land the statement made by the con-
troller to the effect that there Is now
a, species of maladministration which
he is unable to correct. resulting in
the expenditure of a very considerable
amount beyond the expenditures con-
templated by the Congress in the
Of appropriation laws. He
specific legislation which
he thinks would afford some remedy"
The legislative procedure to carry |
out the controllers recommendations |
was explained by Mr.. Moore, who |
called attention that there is no
committee that has authority to con-
slider the suggestions of the Controller
be advised that legislation is neces-
sary. The gentleman himself sug-
gested some time ago, during the last
session of Congress, the expediency of
the IL standing commit
tees which now are intrusted with the |
duty Of considering expenditures in |
the various executive departments, |
and substituting a single committee
Of 21. If there were such a commit
tee now, there would not be any
difficulty about that committee taking
up the recommendations of the Con- |
troller General, considering them and |
any legislation to the House |
that it might deem advisable"
Again Chairman Madden of the |
appropriations committee stressed the .
of instituting such a re-
form. He said: II have felt, I will |
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