The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-05-09

1IACU COIlSCTuCtAOIl of four oftlcers' quarters at the Red River Ordnance Depot, Texarkana, Ark. The inspector general disclosed unauthorized expenditures of 20,000 there had been placard posted on the wall of the engineers oflce: No project will be approved for construction unless it is found by responsible authority to be neces- ssry for the war effort"
 Present status of the case is that the inspector general has asked that charges be specified for court martial trial of the two responsible officers, Colonel Raymond Marsh and Major John W. Copeland.
 In none of these reports of irregu- ularities is the name of the inform. ant disclosed by the Truman com- mittee to the War Department. The informants have nothing to gain from their disclosures. Usually they are complaining because of their re- sentiment of frauds upon their gov- ernment. Recovering in most such cases Is seldom possible, although disciplinary action by the Army has . deterring effect on other would be wrong-doers.
 SWIMMING POOL.
 FISHING FACILITIES
 It was Q letter to the Truman committee from a private citizen which uncovered waste at the Voor- heesville, N. J., holding and recon. alignment point. Here 1t was charged originally that the commanding ofncer, Colonel J. D. ChamblisS, had spent $A7,000 rebuilding an old farmhouse. putting in . swimming pool, wild duck and cattle farm, having 6 boat built 90 the c. o. could go fishing on reservoir, and in winter sending . truck load of workers to cut holes in the Ice to make fishing easier.
 Investigation by an Army I. c. showed the report to be somewhat exaggerated. as are many such in- formers reports, based on hearsay and community gossip. But there was enough meat in this report to make the checkup worth while. Over $l2.000 he'd been spent on re- mobilization of the quarters, and 4i0.000 of 1t had come from Q WPA appropriation.
 The colonel was recommended for court-martial and relieved of duty. TRUTH WORSE THAN RUMOR
 On the other hand the tips some. times minimize the seriousness of the waste. A letter to the committee from one informant put an inspec. tor general on the trail of remod- cling the commandAnts' quarters and . commissary at Fort Lewis. Wash. The original report put the expense at $2,500. First checkup by the Army gave the costs as $l76. But when the informant amplified details, further investigation dis closed 96,200 costs on the house and $4.o00 on the eommissary. which was made to look like . super-market.
 In this case. blame was put on the post engineer for failing to supervise the work properly. and he was recommended for return to in- active status for falling to i'll out form o. c. E. l05.
 While work of the inspectors gen. eral in following through on these civilian complaints of relatively minor and routine matters Is re. ported as generally satisfactory by the Truman committee, it is not impressed by the record of investi- gallons on complicated financial and business matters having to do with war production. As this con- stitutes 2 major part of the war ef. fort on the home front, Q look will be given at the work of the inspec. tors general in succeeding articles.