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QUARTERS AND ALLOWANCES
AT ST. ELIZABETHS HOSPITAL

TO INVESTIGATE THE LEGALITY OF CERTAIN
EXPENDITURES MADE FOR SUBSISTENCE AND MAINTENANCE
BY THE SUPERINTENDENT

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QUARTERS AND ALLOWANCES AT ST. ELIZABETHS

HOSPITAL

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

COMMITTEE ON EXPENDITURES IN THE

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS, Wednesday, December 19, 1928.

The committee met at 10.30 o'clock a. m., Hon. William Williamson (chairman) presiding.

The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, gentlemen, we will proceed with the hearing on St. Elizabeths Hospital. At our last meeting a motion was made, seconded, and passed by the committee, directing an investigation into the conditions existing at St. Elizabeths Hospital, particularly with reference to the matter of quarters, subsistence, and help allowed to certain employees of that institution, which it was believed, by some members of the committee, were furnished contrary to law. I have not had the time to investigate the question to any considerable extent; but I think the question involved is largely a legal one, under existing law, as to whether or not the superintendent and certain other employees can be allowed these extras without having a value placed on them and a proper deduction made from their salaries. The other question that arises is whether, under the circumstances, an exception should be made in this particular institution, because of the conditions which exist there and the necessity for these employees to live at the institution in order properly to care for the inmates. If such an exception is to be made, legislation would appear necessary.

With that preliminary statement, we will first hear the comptroller briefly on how this matter arose in his office and what action he has taken. The Comptroller General may proceed.

STATEMENT OF HON. J. R. M'CARL, COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES

(Digest of testimony given on December 19, 1928, by Hon. J. R. McCarl)

Comptroller General McCarl in a verbal and written statement submits testimony in support of his ruling that under the present general law officers and employees at St. Elizabeths Hospital are not exempt from salary deductions for quarters and subsistence in kind.

He points out the laws considered applicable and controlling and states that the General Accounting Office has deferred action on the matter at the request of the Secretary of the Interior pending a study of the situation by Congress to determine whether or not an exception to the general law with reference to these employees is justified.

He contends that exemption because of hazardous service must be predicated on the law and declares that the failure of the Personnel Classification Board to classify these employees does not justify approval of the accounts by the General Accounting Office.

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