Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-07-31

Treasury's periodic payments
This is the fourth Of six articles on
how President Eisenhower earns and
spends his money.
~~-~---
branch, division of disburse-
ment, walks to the fourth floor
office of Michael D. Fischette,
regional disbursing officer. The
building is the Treasury Annex
on Pennsylvania avenue, catty-
corner from the White House.
Mrs. Beth Debalski, secretary
to Mr.. Fischette, opens a gray,
two-by-four safe, marked ID
B." and takes out a brown ledger
book with a brown manila
envelope tucked between the
pages.
Inside the envelope are two
Understanding $10.270-made
out by typewriter to Dwight D.
Eisenh hover, White House,
Washington, D. c."
One is for $6,853.33, repre-
senting 1/12th of the Pres
ident's annual 100000 salary
minus Withholding tax.
The other is for $3,416.67,
representing 1/12th of the
Presidents $4,000 annual per-
sonal expense account. minus
the Withholding tax. The ex-
pense account is taxable but
non-accountable.
In effect, since the expenses
do not have to be accounted
for. the President receives
$3.50, 000-a-year compensation,
all taxable.
The Walk to White House
Mr.. Luehrs takes the ledger
holding the manila envelope
and walks across Pennsylvania
avenue to the wing Of the White
House facing the main Treas
ury department.
It is q walk Of about $50
yards, though the traffic lights
at Pennsylvania and EXecu-
tive avenues. Unless 1t Is rain
ing. Mr.. Luehrs carries the
book openly and does not
pocket the checks.
1T would be pretty hard for
anybody to cash q presidential
check" he says, even If !
should lose it."
Two minutes later, in the
ONCE of Col. Schultz, Mr..
Luehrs usually has q quip
ready.
We've decided to pay him
one more time" or same pay
mo raise this month"
The colonel responds in kind,
then signs the ledger, receipting
for the checks. Sometimes his
assistant Army Capt. Dale j.
Crittenberger, signs in his
stead.
The first entry in this little
book is May 81, 1851, for
Treasury check No. 12515072,
made out to Harry S. Truman,
and signed for by William D.
Simmons. veteran reception.
list in the White House execu-
tive lobby.
Mr.. Eisenhower's first check,
signed for by Col. Schulz on
January 80, 1858, 10 days after
the first Inauguration. was
numbered 1S940l95.
Mr.. Luehrs walks back to the
Treasury Annex, hands the
ledger to Mrs. Debalski. She
locks 1t in the safe for another
month. Mr.. Luehrs varies this
procedure only once year.
In January, he also carries
q wa form. showing the
amount paid the President in
the preceding year and the
amount withheld in taxes.
Details Behind Checks
Behind this little scene, 1.-THE
Presidents pay day." lies a
complicated but swiftly unroll-
ing routine in preparing the
Presidents checks for delivery.
About five days before the
end Of each month, Lionel r.
Boucher, an employe Of the
General Accounting once since
1891. makes out q certificate
of settlement" with Dwight
Eisenhower for his months
pay.
This reads:
Dwight d. Eisenhower.
White House. Washington. d. c.
This certifles there is due from
the United States to the above
named claimant. payable from
the appropriation indicated the
sum Of $l2.500 on account Of
compensation as President Of
the United States, from May /
to May 81. 1887"
This is sent by messenger to
the desk Of Mrs. Donna Pollock.
chief Of the administration ac-
counts section Of the Treasury,
She makes out a voucher signed
with the signature Of Roger E.
Smith. the budget officer:
Pursuant TO the authority
vested in me. certify that the
items listed herein are correct
and proper for payment from
the appropriation designated"
Record for Tax Service
Mrs. Pollack also records the
payment and the tax withheld
($2.330) on a sheet for return
annually to the Internal Rev.
enue Service.
The voucher and schedule OF
payment is sent to the Treasury
Annex. where a progress
sheet" with the symbol 5000"
is pared Mr.. Eisenhower's
checks then become two Of the
is million checks a month
flowing through the Washing
ton disbursing once.
The progress sheet is sent by
pneumatic tube to the fourth
floor. There index n u m bers
are punched on two checks by
an IBM machine. The checks
next 90 10 an "interpreter"