Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-09-27
DISCHARGES HAD TO BE MADE.
Public Printer Benedict Trying to
Bring Expenses Within the Appr0.
priatiOn.

A STAR reporter visited the Government
Printing Office to-day to make inquiries to
the discharges of Saturday. The reporter was
informed that about 125 discharges were
ordered and that more would follow; that the
force must be reduced so as to bring the ex-
penses within the appropriation remaining for
the current fiscal year. The reduction, SO the
reporter was informed, was absolutely neces-
sary, and each day that it was deferred only
served to increase the financial embarrass-
ment. In making dismissals the public printer
adhered to the policy outlined in his first inter-
view published in The STAR. He called upon
the several foremen to report to him
In the full sense Of their RESPONSE
b1lity, the persons who could most easily
be spared from their respective divisions
those who could be spared without impairing
the working efficiency of the office. There has
been no person discharged whose services the
public printer regards as necessary or as impor-
AS an evidence Of the absolute necessity of a
prompt reduction OF expenses THE STAR re-
porter was shown letter written by Mr.. Rounds
gress who requested the retention OF one OF his
constituents. MIR. Rounds wrote that it was
utterly impossible for him to avoid making the
discharge, that Congress had reduced his
nual appropriation 10 80, ,OOO, 900 or $166. 900
per month for all expenses; that at that time
s4s,oGO, and other expenses. to $4,000; ea or a a
total expenditure OF $236,OOO per month,
or $4,000 in excess OF what 1t should
front that situation of affairs, aud he says he is
compelled to reduce the outlay to figures that
Will bring it inside the remaining appropria-
tiOn. AS SO much has been expended during
the first part OF the fiscal year in excess OF the
monthly proportion, he is forced to make
heavy reductions. II is an exigency. he says,
which he must meet, and he is endeavOring to
meet 1t to the best interests Of the public
service. Mistakes may be made, SO the re-
porter was informed, bat u discovered
the removals yet to be made, the reporter could
get no definite information. There are dis
charges to take place among the compOsiIors
and Others, but the list of those TO be cut off had
not been made out. These removals will occur
within the next several days. Mr.. Benedict says
his 1irss duty is to get the office "down TO hard
pan," to get within his allowance of money and
maintain the efficiency OF the work. He re-
marked that great many anonymous letters
had been received, containing charges against
officials and employees but that he paid no at
tentiOn to such letters and would not.
The clerks who have been discharged are:
Messrs VIM. l.. Crounse, ]. A. Powell, II. K.
Collins, E. J. WILDER, and r. s. Eichelberger.
1t Is reported that certain merchants OF the
District who have beep boycOtted within the
past two years are bringing influence TO bear
on the public printer TO procure the discharge
of employees of the Government Printing office
who have been members OF the boycott COM
mittees. 1t is said the merchants have accu-
mulated evidence to show that the obnoxious
individuals have been very active republican
workers, and hope thus to secure their dis
charge on the ground Of offensive partisanship.