Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-17
BROWN ANSWERS
BLANTON QUERIES
Efficiency Bureau Chief Ex-
plains Service to Private
Concerns for Pay.

Herbert d. Brown, chief of the Bu-
| reau OF Efficiency, today admitted over
his own signature In a statement filed
with Chairman Lehlbach of the House
civil service committee, a copy of which
he handed TO Representative Blanton Of
Texas. that he had been paid by the
Du Pont Co. over a period Of l3 years
from 1914 to 1927 the sum of s7.S36.42.
| and from other sources had received
about $500
In this statement prepared for the
committee Mr.. Brown answered the
series OF fixed inquiries made By Mr.
Bltnton and which Mr.. Brown had pre-
| viously refused TO give the information
on request of MIR. Blanton.
This statement discloses that inves-
| legations of various units Of the Gov
eminent made by the Bureau of En-
| ficiency have cost a total OF s33,i39 10
| in salaries of Bureau of Efficiency en-
| ployes. The largest amount was ex-
pended in the study Of the Personnel
! Classification Board. which cost S25.-
5494 The study Of prison industries
for the Department Of Justice cost Sill
365 SO. The study OF currency circu-
lation for tire Treasury Department;
cost 0360.58 and study Of the Pro-
partment cost s5,2a820.
Study of Various Activities.
The studies made of various activities
in the municipal government Of the
District OF Columbia from January ],
1927. TO December /. 1921 cost total
in salaries 10 Bureau Of Efficiency en-
ployes OF sl05.83227 The work done
for the Gibson subcommittee Of the
House District committee cost $751;
Gal 40 The public school survey cost
| s33,208.79. The retirement valuation
for teachers cost s3,05950 The study
| OF the recorder of deeds and register o:
wills Offices cost S2.570.30 and the study
OF the Police Court cost s52l9.
In answer 10 Mr. Blanton's first in
quiry. Mr. Brown submits the list OF
employees and their period OF service
| with the Bureau Of Efficiency. together
with the salary received by each one
| showing the total permanent employees
as of December !, 1927. al ST, and the
annual pay roll. Sl83e40.
In answer to Mr.. Blanton's second
question. regarding Mr.. Browns serv-
ices TO private interests. Mr. Browns
| reply vas as follows: II Go not con-
slider that the information called for
| Is OF any interest 20 Congress. for the
| reason that such unofficial undertak-
| ngS as / have engaged ii during the
| time ! have occupied the position Of
chief OF the Bureau Of Efficiency have
been conducted outside OF the recog-
nized hours for Official employment"
No Desire to Conceal Facts.
Il am. nevertheless. entirely willing 70
| furnish the information 20 your commit
/ soa karN- Il. e.
conceal 1t. and second. because such
| tasks as have engaged in outside my
| Official duties have added very conSid-
erably 10 my information and expert
ence in q deal where have en6eayCred
/ 10 be OF special service 10 the Govern
| ment and its employees. I have been
consulted by industrial establishments
seeking 20 finance their pension along
| sound actuarial lines which have, for
years. been urging the Government 60
edopt for Federal employees. / consider
| hat the adoption by Industrial oyganiZa-
tons Of properly financed pension plans
| is OF tremendous value To employes
| everywhere. including those II the puo.ic
service.
The only company from which /
have received any considerable amount
Of money is the du Pont Co. of VII
nlington. Del. They have paid me for
services covering period OF IS years
from 1914 70 l927--the sum Of ST.eSS.i2
From all other sources have received
about $500.
Not Paid as Actuary.
II have not even asked the Govern
n,ens TO pay me for my acsurial work
/ AS chief o. the United States Bureau ..
/ Efficiency I am not required 10 be a..
actuary ] am. nevertheless, q member
of the Federal Board % Actaar.eS, and
receive no compensation so- the services
I render that board
Included In the statement prepared by
Mr.. Brown Is q brief on the authority q
| the Bureau Of Efficiency 70 make District
| investigations. In this he includes a le:
! ter from Chairman Madden o. the
| House appropriations committee. asking
him 20 continue such District iaveStlga-
lions from March 10 December. and q
letter from Commissioner Dougnerty
asking for conferences Gu the same sub
lect. He also quotes previous study ~
District OF Columbia units from tire
year 1919 20 iSsT. Mr.. Brown also cites
the action Of the controller general IN
approving such expenditures as inS.cas-
ing that they are within the law.
Clears Up Differences
The action Of Mr.. Brown In submit
ting his statement cleared up the diff
teCenceS with Representative Elaason.
Al the meeting today Mr., Brown alSc
answered a number Of questions orally
asked by Mr.. Blantca, Other members
q! the subcommittee insisted that the
attitude Of both Mr., Brown and NJ.
Siantoa was entirely courteous, and tina,
Mr.. Blanica after QueSt;oGing Mr..
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