Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-25
NO TRUTH IN REP( RI
Alleged Opposition to Lang
ley q Myth.
Is HIGHLY REGARDED
CONGRESSIONAL ACTION DECID-
EpLY coMPLmENTARY TO HIM.
Esteemed In Departmental Circles
Appreciation Expressed by Director
Merriam Of Census on Retiring.

Officials Of the census ONCE state tnat
there is no truth in the report that there
is any likelihood Of Mr.. John w. Langley,
the appointment clerk Of the bureau. sew
ering his connection with that Office or OF
his being forced to resign. This statement
was made In contradiction OF the reports
that have gained considerable circulation
to the effect that there was considerable
friction between Mr.. Langley and the
members of Congress, and that he had be-
come very unpopular with them through
his refusal to appoint persons they recon-
mended as clerks In the bureau The
members Of Congress who had been disap-
pointed by Mr.. Langley in such appoint
ments 1t was stated, desired that he be
required to withdraw from the service.
According to the officials Of the bureau
who were questioned this morning such
statement is ridiculous from the fact that
the census bureau has been under the
classified service for the past year, and
it has appointed absolutely no new clerks.
On the contrary, the force in the office was
far too large, SO large that discharges
have been made from time to time OF large
numbers Of clerks In the hill which passed
Congress establishing a permanent census
bureau provision was made hut for per-
centage Of the clerks that were at that
time employed in the office and members
of Congress who had friends employed
there at that time were informed that II
would be necessary to discharge some OF
these friends in order to comply with the
law.
Mr.. Langley's Popularity in Congress-.
So far from It being true that Mr.. Lang
ley Is unpopular with members OF Congress
men best posted in such matters say that
It would be hard to find an official who Is
thought more OF by individual members OF
Congress and by the bodies as q whole.
Twice Congress by special acts has In
creased Mr.. Langley's salary and by stu
another act it added the important duties
Of disbursing officer to his work. When the
general reduction Of salaries was made In
the census office Mr.. Langley was espe-
cial1y exempted from this cut. 1t may be
said too, that when the proposition arose
to make him chief clerk he was Endorsed
almost unanimously by members OF Con-
gress.
Mr.. Langley Is very highly regarded In
the census bureau and by the department
officials generally. This bureau Is to be
and commerce after the first Of July. and
1t may be that Mr.. Langley will be given
a higher position in the new department.
although when questioned about this to-
day Mr.. Langley said he could say nothing
about 1t at present.
Director Merriam's Appreciation.
That the former director of the census.
Gov. William r. Merriam, regarded Mr..
Langley very highly Is evidenced by the
following letter. addressed to Mr.. Langley
by Gov. Merriam on the day Of his re-
tirement from the census bureau: ~'''~ 5
June 8, 1903.
LAS am about leaving the census ONCE,
cannot permit the opportunity to pass
without expressing to you my appreciation
Of your valuable services to the government
and your devoted loyalty to me during the
time that you have occupied your present
position.
"Soon after began the organization of
the work of the twelfth census selected
you with view, after thorough trial, Of
making you the appointment clerk OF the
office You came to me- Of course, without
Endorsement, and l took you largely upon
my judgment as to the possibility Of your
being able to fill this very trying and deli
cate position, involving. as 1t did. much
that was very confidential in Its nature.
In my varied experience in business. as
well as political life. 1t has never been my
good fortune to have any one connected
with me who has shown himself to be more
alive to his duties and the responsibilities
Of his position, or who has been more eff
cient than yourself. I feel that much OF
the success. II any has been attained. In the
management of this bureau Is due to your
tact, good judgment. knowledge OF men,
especially those in public life, as well as to
your high personal character and integrity.
with your excellent training as a lawyer
and your political and practical education,
obtained here. you should be of good serv-
ice to any one in need of a hrst-class man
for almost any line Of work. sincerely
hope that you will see your way clear to
enter upon some work in life that will give
you ample opportunity for future growth
and usefulness conditions which am
afraid will not be open to you In the en-
ployment Of the government. .
with assurances Of warm personal re-
gard, and my sense Of obligation for your
many acts Of courtesy and devotion during
the four years that we have been together,
l am
Faithfully yours,
"(Signed) w. R. MERRIAM
There is every reason to believe this opin-
ion of the abilities Of the appointment
clerk is shared by DR.. 8. N. D. North, the
present director Of the census.