The times., 1899-05-09
Mr.. CAGES REPORT IN
THE JOHNSON Case
The Labor People Displeased
With the Findings.
They Hope the President May Make
the Removal.
In the Opinion of Many the Secretary
Has Whitewashed the
Director.

The action of Secretary Gage in exoner-
ating Claude NJ. johnson, Director of the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing, of the
charges made against him by the American
Federation of Labor, through its presi-
dent, Samuel Gompers, is great surprise
to the trades unionists of the country,
especially those resident of Washington.
The report of the Secretary OF the Treasury
to President Mckinley on the matter is
termed "whitewash' and is claimed to
be entirely at variance with the facts in
the case.
President Gompers is absent from the
city, and could not be seen yesterday.
Frank H. Morrison, Secretary of the
American Federation of Labor, was seen,
however, and was very emphatic in his
denunciation of the manner in which the
charges against Director Johnson were
disposed of. If President Mckinley" he
said, "sustains Mr. johnson in his an
tagonism TO labor organizations and in his
recommendation for the discharge OF an
employe for being absent from his labor
to petition Congress against the introduce
tion of steam presses into the Bureau OF
Engraving and Printing, although Con-
gress took favorable action on the petition
Of the employe referred to, and decided
that steam presses should not be Used in
that department of the Government, it is
more than honest workmen will believe
just now. If he does /, for one, am of
the opinion that the members OF organ
lied labor must look elsewhere for sup
port and secure through other avenue Fro
lection for their rights as workmen.
Il am satisfied" Mr.. Morrison continued,
that If equity and justice is considered
by the President, Director Johnson will
be removed from office. If he is not, it is
an evidence that other forces more potent
than justice and equity prevail in con-
sidering the petitions of the masses of the
country.
ITO say the least of the whole affair, -
Mr.. Morrison said, 1T can be construed as
nothing more or less than a direct affront
to the members of organized labor of the
country, but more especially to those mem
bers employed in the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing in this city. No matter how
Director johnson and Secretary Gage
may attempt to 'whitewash' and smother
the facts in the case, and the circumstances
brought to light by the investigation in
stituted by organized labor, it still re-
mains, and the public is aware of the truth
of the statement that certain employees OF
the Bureau of Engraving and Printing
were discharged simply because of their in
| fluence in breaking a pet scheme of Di-
rector Johnson and others, in influencing
Congress not to allow the introduction OF
steam presses into that department of the
Government service"
The above statement of Mr.. Morrison is
in reference to the discharge of Henry W
Szegedy, President of the Central Labor
Union, by Director Johnson, because he
went, as a member of committee to Pc
tition Congress to stop the introduction oi
steam presses into the Bureau. When Mr.
Szegedy applied to Mr.. Johnson for leave
of absence, it is said, he was informed that
he could absent himself for private busi-
| ness, but if he went to the Capitol as g
member of a committee he would be held
to be insubordinate.
In his report to the President, Secretary
Gage summarizes the charges against Di-
rector johnson, and his findings are a.
follows:
]. Incompetency.-No shown by the work o.
the bureau The specific acts alleged as ineom
| petent were in obedience TO proper authorizatio
9. Violation Of the Civil Service Law.-Chargt
not sustained, the official having no authority tC
| appoint or discharge.
| 8. Misuse of Government Funds.-The alleged
Irregularities merely technical violations o
regulations, and occurred more than two year
| prior to the recent Investigation.
| 4. Extending Undue Advantages in the Matter
OF Letting Contracts for Supplies of the Bureau
! No evidence OF improper motives the part O
the director. Since the investigation, however
| the method of letting contracts has been changed
with the ready cooperation of the director, til,
advisability of which action will be determine,
| by future developments.
g. Unfair and Tyrannical Treatment Of En-
| ployes.-Charge not supported by the facts fount
| TO exist in the several mentioned
At the meeting of the Central Labo
Union last evening letters were read from
the International Coopers' Union an
Brotherhood OF Boiler Workers and Ship
! builders, of Kansas City. Kan, and Anal
gamated Sheet Metal Workers, of Pitts
burg, Pa, stating that they had petitione
President Mckinley for the removal o
| Director Johnson.
After a lengthy discussion on the repor
from the Blacksmiths' Union, that tn
soft stone cutters had requested that or
ganization 10 endorse its protest agains
the Evening Star Company having tn
stone for its new building cut outside c
the city, it was decided that the union
affiliated with the Central Labor Uno
be requested not to take action in the mat
ter until the matter comes officially befor
the central body.