And what is
the retail price of that particular drink?"--and so on ad nauseum.
"Very true," replied authority, "that would of course be
impossible. But to be reimbursed you must set down in detail every
item of expenditure, and its price."
Reason and government red tape move in two parallel lines, with
the usual meeting-place.
Nor was that all. While the black Peruvian was on my staff I gave
him money for food. It was not merely expected, it was definitely
so ordered. Yet when I set down:
"May 27, To Peruvian for food--$.50." authority threw up its hands
in horror. Did I not know that reimbursements were ONLY for
"liquor and cigars, cab or boat hire, and meals away from home?" I
did. But I also knew that superiors had ordered me to feed the
Peruvian. "To be sure!" cried astounded authority. "But you set
down such an expenditure as follows:
"'May 27, Two bottles of beer, Pan., investigation--$.50.'
"And as you are allowed cab fare ONLY for yourself, when you take
the Peruvian or any one else out to Balboa in a cab you set down
the item:
"'May 26, Cab, Ancon to Balboa AND RETURN, investigation--$1.'"
The upshot of all which was, not feeling able with all my
patriotism to "set up" $45 worth of mixed drinks for Uncle Sam, I
was forced to open another investigation and gather from all the
Z.
Pages:
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242