Evening star., 1899-03-28
AFTER DIRECTOR JOHNSON
Central Labor Union Prefers Charges Against
Bureau Chief.
His Dismissal From Office Demanded
Program of Exercises for Anni-
versaFy Celebration.

was too i'll to attend the meeting last even
ing Of the Central Labor Union, Vice Presi-
dent Lewis occupied the chair and Mr.. j.
l.. Feeny served as secretary.
A report of special committee composed
of Messrs. Milford Spohn, N. c. Sprague,
]. F. Mccormick, r. Henry Lewis and H.
w. Szegedy was adopted in reference to
the official conduct of Mr.. Claude NJ. John
son, chief of the bureau of engraving and
printing. A resolution was also adopted
that printed copies of the report be for
warded to all national, state, central and
local organizations, with the request that
these respective bodies petition the Presi-
dent of the United States and the Secretary
of the Treasury for Mr.. Johnsons removal"
The report is to the effect that after
careful consideration of the report of the
committee appointed May p, 1897, by Secre-
tary l.. J. Gage of the Treasury Depart
ment to examine into the administration
of the bureau of engraving and printing
and noting the testimony taken by that
committee, We are convinced of the abso-
lutte unfitness Of Claude M. johnson to
serve director Of that institution.
scarcely had he been installed when he
presumed to inaugurate reforms which pro-
voked complaint from those having busi-
ness relations with the bureau. These So
called reforms resulted in the discharge of
efficient, experienced and trusted employees
as supefintendents of the various divisions
others not having the least technical nor
practical knowledge of the duties of those
under their supervision, the appointments
being made also in gross violation of the
civil service rules, which are presumed to
be observed in every honestly-conducted
department of the government.
The Alleged Effects.
1.-The radical departure from tried, long
approved and efficient methods by the di-
rector resulted in waste of material and
inferior work.
I'm violation of departmental regulations,
favorites were permitted to ply the broker
age business in the bureau, and extort
usurious interest from the employees. The
father-in-law of Mr.. Johnson was given a
specially prepared place, snecure posi-
ton, as disburser of the funds of the bu-
reau.
In the matter of contracts Mr. Johnson
has Disseminated in favor of certain firms
and excluded the products of others, thus
closing the doors of the bureau to fair COM
petition. The result of this favoritism has
been that in some instances nearly so per
cent more was paid for supplies than was
necessary to procure the same quality had
competition been unrestrained."
The report goes on to state that "Mr.
Johnson Disseminated against those who
were not in partisan sympathy with the
administration then in control; that he dis
charged veterans of the civil war, who
We're entirely competent to perform the
duties assigned them; that he turned
great government bureau into a political
junk shop; that he had been unapprecia-
tive of the services and careless of the
welfare of the nearly 1900 working men
and women under his charge
In conclusion the report states:
Mr.. Johnson is public servant and hav
ing failed in his stewardship the public,
unbiased by party feeling. uncontrolled by
sinister motives or influences, should de-
mand his removal"
Request of American Authors.
A communication was read from the So
ciety of American Authors asking the CO.
operation of the Central Labor Union In
considering the advisability of making De-
cember IA, 1889, ''Washington day." at
which time it is hoped to lay the corner
stone of the National University in this
city in accordance with the plan of the
George Washington Memorial Association.
The request will be considered at the next
meeting OF the Central Labor Union.
Anniversary Celebration.
The committee of arrangements for the
celebration of the third anniversary of the
Central Labor Union reported a program,
which was adopted. 1t includes an address
by President Szegedy, giving a short his
tory of the Central Labor Union; also ad-
dresses by President Gompers and Secre-
tary Morrison of the American Federation
the Building Trades Council; songs by
Messrs. John Fahey and Charles Miller;
Fred Schultz, Harry Landgraf and William
Shultz, vocal selections; J. McCabe and
.Fenton Crown, trick and wing dancing: J.
H. Williams, popular songs; Richard Vorce,
dances and comic songs; George and Frank
Hagan, blackface comedy; e. Handiboe and
H. Manders, sidewalk conversationalists
Carl Metz, female impersonauons; also
"A Dead Game Sport" with George Hagan
as an innkeeper; J. s. Graves and w. B.
Hyde, songs; Gompers and Stutsman, ban
10 music; music for Capital Vaudeville
Company by Harry Anderson Joseph Fox,
w. Rucker; Finley Hayes, songs, dances
and recitations.
The Conspiracy Gases.
A member of the joint committee for the
defense of the labor men indicted for con-
spiracy reported that at the last meeting
of the committee but one trades unionist
was present. The delegate stated that he
was satisfied that the knights of Labor
Immediately interested did not desire that
the trades unionists should be retained on
the committee.
After hearing these statements the Gem
tral Labor Union passed a vote of con-
hdence in their representatives and with
drew the latter from the joint committee.
1t was also decided that the money which
had been collected by the Central Labor
Union as a defense fund from the trades
union organizations throughout the coun-
try, and which is deposited with the WASH
ington Loan and Trust Company, shall re-
main on deposit subject to the order of the
Central Labor Union.
SMALLPOX ARATINC