The herald., 1897-03-08
COMMITTEES SIT SUNDAY
To Inquire Into Printing House
Affairs
NOT MUCH ACCOMPLISHED
Except 10 Show That Johnston Can't
Keep Books
NOT MUCH ACCOMPLISHED
Il 10 Evident That Too Many Men and
Women Are Employed. but Every
body Knew That Before
Special to The Herald

Special to The Herald
SACRAMENTO, March 1.-THE good
people who have been petitioning this
legislature to pass Sunday law, will
be shocked to hear that the joint COM
mittee of both houses held sessions all
day today, investigating the printing
house scandal. 1t cannot be said that
they did much. Their efforts were re-
markably barren of results, and If they
do not accomplish more when the ex-
perts take the stand this investigation
promises to be as frutless as that into
the Examiner scandal.
State Printer Johnston was the most
important witness, and ex-Congressman
Caminetti tried very hard to make him
inculpate himself, but only succeeded in
proving conclusively that the printer is
no bookkeeper. The state printer
claims that discrepancies in his accounts
are due principally to the fact that $685.
900 expended during the forey-sixth fis-
cal year, really a deficiency for that
year, was paid out of the appropriation
for the forty-seventh year, and should
be charged then, also that the estimate
of value Of work done was based on the
arbitrary rate Of rs cents per thousand
ems, which Is too low Printers are
employed in the state office at a straight
rate of $3.50 per day of eight working
hours. Good printers get no more than
poor ones and politics control the ap-
printers are necessarily employed than
would be hired in a private Office doing
the same work. Johnston conceded that
his report to the governor was not prop
erly made and that the $28, 900 error re-
ferred to above does not show.
Caminetti claims that $28,000 shows in
the statement for the forty-sixth year,
and that If it is to be charged to fiscal
year forty-seven 1t must be credited to
that year also. which would have the
effect Of transferring the deficiency
simply from the forty-seventh to the
forty-sixth year, leaving a deficiency
under Johnston's administration the
same as ever.
w. M. Taylor, foreman of the state
printing office from December, 1892, to
January, 1894, was examined this even
ing. 1t is on his statements made to
Editor Barry, Of the San Francisco
Star. and repeated by the editor to the
governor. that the latter has based
many Of his charges of extravaganza in
the state printing office Taylor is an
elderly man, who says he has been in
>eA> FAAheAii6 Od0iHcSS LOT IllIy years. He
gave his testimony slowly and careful
ly, unruffied by the long series Of uues-
tions asked him by members of the
committee and counsel for the state
printer His testimony was that too
many men were employed and too many
women, and that many were not worth
the wages paid them. The wages he
considered very good. He would not
lower them, but he thought they were
high enough to get the very best print
ers in the land.
Tne foreman of the state printing Of
nee gets $3.50 per day. Taylor thinks a
large percentage of the cost of the state
printing office could be, saved. He is a.
Democrat and was appointed by John
ston, but afterward removed because of
his political faith.
Counsel for Johnston read to him a let
ter. declaring that the Native Sons
Johnston Is one) is simply a Romish
annex, that the state printing office is
an asylum for Catholics, and urging
patriotic Americans not to vote for him
nor for other candidates or the enclosed
ticket whose names were not preceded
by cross. The letter was dated, "Su-.
signed &c. G. Baker" Taylor said he
had never seen or heard Of the letter
before. and that 1t did not express his
views. He admitted having "edited"
another circular, evidently intended for
political purposes, that was issued in
February, 1898, and which declared that
the state printing office was very eco-
nomically run. but said he was mistaken
when he wrote the letter. Taylor's evil
dence simply confirmed previous wit
nesses', that too much Is paid for labor
and too many are employed in the print
ing Office.
kilograms were received today from
w. B. Hamilton, now in Washington,
saying that the Republican delegation
from this state to congress has indorsed
w. Leak of the Oakland Enquirer as di-.
rector of the mint. Senator Dennison
of Oakland wanted the place, but as he
was opposed by both Hilborn and Per-
kins, he has been turned down and the
place given to the editor of the Oakland
Enquirer. Leaks friends, however, say
that Leak does not want the place ana
may not take it.
The evidence in t5e two Examiner in
vestigatin committees will be submitted
to the senate and assembly tomorrow.
1t covers many pages and has occupied
several stenographers and typewriters
day and night since Friday.
The two Investigations are giving
work to oil the stenographers here, and
they are making some $40 or $50 a day
from the state.
1t Is said thac Managing Editor Law
renee and Reporter Levings will both be
brought before the bar either of the as
sembly or senate to morrow, and If they
refuse to answer questions asked them,
will be sent to Jail for contempt. There
are many members, however, who say
the whole affair is SO absurd and the ex-
pense to the state so large that the
wisest course Is to drop 1t, as the Exam
liner will not give any informa lion 20
either committee of where it obtained
its facts for It's bribery story, but, on the
fort to get at the facts in the matter.
FRASIER