Evening star., 1948-08-20
DC. Awaits Veteran !
Answer After Filing
Charges in Shortage
By Jerry O'Leory, Jr.

Robert A. Cornelius, "a, who
makes 1854 a year and draws 20
per cent disability pay from the
Veterans Administration for wounds
he suffered in Germany, stood re-
vealed today by the Commissioners
as the District tax collectors Of
flee cashier, who staged a 24-hour
disappearance Monday with $50 of
the city's money.
Cornelius, who lives in the 28O0
block of Fifty-first avenue Sc. with
his wife and two children, has until
noon Monday to reply Ito charges
filed by the city heads yesterday,
preparatory to dismissing him. AS
a veteran, Cornelius cannot be dis
missed without formal charges.
Cornelius last night would not
discuss details of the case with a
reporter.
Il received the Commissioners
charges today" he said, "and there
ID AlOtllhlS lIlOlC W Say.
Charges Sent to Fay.
Meanwhile, United States Atcor-
ney George Morris Fay acknowl-
edged that his Office has received a
copy of the charges. He said, how
ever, he has not had a chance to
study them. The Commissioners
sent the details of the case to Mr..
Fay, without recommendation, for
possible prosecution.
A check of District personnel
records late yesterday revealed that
Cornelius, who comes from Davis,
w. Va, was hired as a temporary
clerk and assistant cashier in Jan
uary, 1916, at starting salary OF
900.
He had served in the Army as an
enlisted man from March, 1914, to
December, 1945, the records showed
and was wounded in action in Ger
many with the 9Th Infantry Divi-
sion. AS wounded veteran, he has
been receiving about $27 a month
for his 20 per cent disability.
Three Salary Raises.
In his two and half years with
the tax collectors Office, according
to the records, Cornelius had re-
ceived three salary raises. In June,
1916, he was appointed a bailiff to
collect nickels from parking meters
at 1854 a year He was raised to
1884 in February, 1947, and to
81 2644 in August, 1947.
Cornelius, according to the Com
missioners, disappeared from his Of
flee in the Municipal Center early
Monday, without authorization
shortly before auditors discovered
about $570 was missing from his
cash box He went to the home OF
Deputy Tax Collector George H
Kirwell, 629 G street S.W., at
am. Tuesday, Mr.. Kidwell said, and
offered to return the money ther
and there.
! Mr.. Kidwell said he refused to
discuss the matter with the cashier
in the early morning meeting but
told the man to return to the Dis
trict Building later in the day and
make restitution there.
Makes Full Restitution.
Cornelius thereupon went to the
Office of Assistant Auditor Robert L.
Mudd on Tuesday afternoon and re-
turned all of the missing money in
the presence Of Mr.. Kidwell and
Assistant Corporation Counsel
Ralph D. Quinter. Asked for an
explanation, Cornelius reportedly
told the officials:
II don't know. I just took the
money"
! He has been placed on annual
leave, pending outcome of the
charges.
Under the law, Cornelius is en-
titled to file written answer to the
charges, with afhdavits, before noon
Monday. The Commissioners will
consider the reply and render a
written decision.
In their message TO Cornelius yes
terday, the Commissioner declared
In view Of the serious nature OF
the foregoing charges, the Commits
sioners have determined that your
continuance on active duty will be
detrimental to the interest of the
District government and of the gen.
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