The Press., 1903-09-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
washington, september I. 1gos.

which will result in the revolutioniz
ing of the methods and machinery
of the government printing office and
some important changes in its per-
sonnel, are now daily expected. Presi
dent Roosevelt has before him the re-
port made by the special investigators,
who, acting under the supervision OF
Secretary Cortelyou, made thorough
inquiry into the printing Office meth
dds, the decision of Public Printer
Palmer ON the charges preferred
against William Miller by the book
binders union, from which he was
expelled, and the recommendations OF
the investigators. Mr.. Palmer has
found the charges against Miller suf-
ffcient to warrant, in his estimation,
Miller's dismissal, and it is generally
believed that the president will con-
firm his decision. The investigators
have pointed out various reforms
which, in the interest of economy,
should be adopted, the most impor-
tant being the installment of type set
ting machines for certian portions OF
the government work. It is believed
that their recommendations will be
adopted, and that this will be the first
and most important step towards reor-
ganizing the great printing Office on
an up-to date basis. It has been
further pointed out to the president
kbo& @bo g +osl~ esxyc+a,,, xuIoro1,u tho
union limits the amount of work per-
formed by each man daily, is an OBJ
stacle to individual development and
public economy, and it is believed
that the president will confirm this
decision. Members of the bookbind-
ers' union say they that will enter no
protest against any reform the presi-
dent may see fit to inaugurate if he
will only relieve them from the neces-
Isity of working with their old enemy.
Miller, and that he will do SO now
seems probable, but not certain.
Advices from Turkey continue to
be disquieting, and the situation there
is being watched with intense interest
by the officials of the state department..
The Turkish government claims to
have learned that it is part of the
program of the Bulgarians to attack
the representatives Of foreign nations
in their legations, with view to pre-
cipitating strained relations between
Turkey and the countries represented
in it's capital. The Turkish authori-
ties have added to the patrol which
does guard duty outside of the foreign
legations, and has, moreover, suggest
ed the advisability of establishing an
armed guard within the legattiions
themselves. Acting on this advice,
the Russian and other ministers have
summoned marines from their station
ships lying off Constantinople, and
the United States minister has en-
ployed several native policemen, but
tit is now regarded as probable that
Admiral Cotton will send the Machias
to Constantinople so that detach-
ment of American marines may take
the place of the hired police.
In this connection it is worthy of
note that Turkey has always resented
the presence of an American vessel in
the harbor of Constantinople, although
European nations have always insist
ed on keeping one small vessel each
at that point. Some years ago the
Dolphin, then a three masted ship,
was reduced to two masted ship and
sent up the Dardanelles, the object
being to reduce her apparent size.
The move met with instant protest
from Turkey, however, and the vessel
was soon withdrawn. The boats kept
off Constantinople by the European
nations are all small and are known
as station ships, but they are effectual
in that they furnish place of refuge
times of excitement and disorder.
The gravity of the situation in Tur-
key is proven by the virtual announce
ment of the government that the am
usual measures for self protection, and
further by the announcement of the
Turkish minister, Chekib Bey, that
his government might feel called up
on to seek the assistance of this coun-
try in the protection of American cit
izens in Turkey.
Expedition will hereafter be the
watchword of the administration dur
| sr.re %In ynlo ~ %hn ko1
vestigations, and in the prosecution
of the legal end of the postal cases.
At the personal request of the presi-
dent Holmes Conrad and Charles J.
Bonaparte, the special counsel retained
by the department of justice to assist
in the cases, will come to Washington
tomorrow or next day and will use
every endeavor to expedite the cases
still before the grand jury. Unless
those officials familiar with the stu
alton are sadly mistaken the next
week will bring forth some important
and sensational indictments, and the
first steps will be taken toward meet
ing out. justice to men whose dishon-
esty has taken the form of permitting
dishonest investment, companies to
+swindle the poor and ignorant out of
hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A further evidence of the entire
lack of anything approaching con-
science among the grating officials
of the post Office department. has just
been furnished by the discovery of a
system of cigar smuggling carried on
by Louis Kempner, superintendent of
the registry system, and by Kempner's
own statement, elected by the publi-
cation Of his dishonesty. Postal in
Espectors discovered that Kempner had
for several years been importing Gu
ban cigars, which he sold to various
people in Washington, and that by
smupUlinp them in, throy,pI, tho ro0