The times., 1897-08-21
THE BUREAU. OF ENGRAVING |
An Investigation Of the Work
ings Of the Institution.
REPORT TO SECRETARY GAGE
Three Months Inquiry Into Various
Rumors of Undue Advantages
Given to Furnishers OF Supplies
May Result in Official Changes
Minor Details Investigated.

Secretary Gage has before him "a report
OF the recent investigation into the eondi-
ton and workings OF the Bureau of En-
craving and Printing.
The report Is voluninous one, covering
more than 150 pages of typewriter mat
ter, and was submitted yesterday by the
recent committee on investigation. THIS
committee was made up of Charles D. Ly-
man, former civil service commissioner;
Charles II. Brown, and Arthur Hendricks,
a weilknown Grand Army man, employed
work, covering period OF three months,
consisted of a close Investigation INTO every
detail of the department, but more par
tiLulariy in regard TO the giving out vi
contracts to bioders for supplies ana ina
teral used in the bureau. The Secretary
was kept busy the greater partof yesterday
| reading the Introductory pages OF the report
OF the coIunittee and tits sunderstood thatit
| is rather unfayorable to Mr. Johnson's man
agcnent Of the bureau
| The most serious charge made Is the
| one about the giving ont OF ink contracts.
1t is said that Mr. Johnson had given
undue advantage to the F. W. Devoe and
| c. T. Reynolds Company, OF New York city,
dealers in artists materials and supplies,
in the contracts for ink. The cost OF
supplies and materials for the bureau
considerably exceeds S1S0,oO0 year.
| The item of ink is the largest and VIII
probably exceed $780, 900. The annual
| expense OF the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing for salaries and all purposes IL
nearly 81 500, 900.
These charges may be Instrumental IN
the removal of MIR. Johnson froin Office
by Secretary Gage. Mr. Johnson Is a
Kentucky man, aud when John q Carlisle
retired from the Treasury the latter asked
Mr.. Gage as personal favor to tetair
Mr. Johnson as director. Mr.. Gage has
thus far complied with the request OF his
predecessor, but ever since May 21 has
! kept the committee busy Investigating
the bureau. ~
When seen a1y a reporter for The Time.
yesterday morning. Secretary Gage wa
busiiy engaged In perusing the report oi
the committee. He had read but doZer
pages, and Would not say anything FOL
publication IN regard to The removal o.
Mr.. Johnson He'femaFked that 1.-THE re
port is the result of regular investiga
ton for thea infof1na tion OF the depart
rscnt,' and said he could not tell wha
oranges, If any. would be made until HI
had read the feport'in full. 1t was stated
on good authority that Capt. Meredith
OF Illinois, VITO held the office under tn
Harrison administration. is eandidat
| for reappointhlenta IN the event of Va
cancy, aad tiiat b1ing an old soldier, ii
| could be reiTistated Under the present civ
service law without exatriina ton, but thi
was denied by the Secretary.
The reporter aiso visited Mr.. johnson
at the Bureau OF Engra wing and Printing
and Interviewed hiin in regard TO tn
alleged charges. He said that the com
mite lad been investiga ting his aerar
Inent for about three months, but denie
that he had given undue advantage to tn
Deyoe- Re ynods or any other company.
81 have endeavored,'' he said, ito Civ
every bidder an equal chance to suppl
the bureau, and am sure have not show
par.iality TO any concern
The investigation has been the talk {
the employees OF 10th the bureau and th
Treasury Department for some time, an
the general impression is abroad that theT
viii be general shake up, as various Ininc
irregularities are alleged in the report.