The Washington times., 1905-07-16
LAWYERS Yet to Be Heard
on Printing Office
Contract.
BOTH SIDES CONFIDENT
Whether General Investi-
cation Will Follow De-
pends on President.

With Gen. L. 7. Michener as the last
witness to be examined, at a night ses-
sion lasting from to 10 o clock, the Keep !
Commission investigating the printing
machine contract Of the Government
Printing Office. last evening closed the
taking of testimony. The lawyers for
the opposing sides were given till Tues
day, July %, to make their briefs of the
testimony after which the commission
will go over the matter. consider the
evidence, and prepare report that Will
&c to the President for his consideration
and action.
Both sides to the controversy are con-
fident as to the outcome.
The scope of the present inquiry has
not made possible q general inVestiga-
ton into the conditions in the printing
Office in connection with the multi
farious charges of small graft that are
con nstantly heard. Whether such an
| investigation will be made is entirely
| conjectural, though there is strong
| feeling that such showing has been
made In the present limited investiga-
| ton that in all probability the matter
will be pressed farther
| General Michener Explains.
|
ness examined at last evenings session
| He is attorney for the Lanston company
| He explained. in answer to questions,
the holding of various meeting of peo-
| ple friendly to the Lanston machine
The business of Mr.. Dove, president
i of the Lanston company, was such that
| he was compelled to be in Philadelphia
most of the time; SO the conferences
| were held at night. and at Mr.. Doves
home, for his convenience.
The purpose of these conferences. Gen
| eraI Michener explained, was to discuss
the candidacy OF Oscar J. Ricketts, for
| Public Printer. Those in the confer
| ences included Forernen Cottte, Tapley.
| and Hodes, himself. and President
Dove They were ell friends OF Public
/ Printer Palmer, whom they desired to
be retained in Office. and their confer
ences related to this candidacy Of
4 Ricketts,.
General Michener said the group Of
interested people met perhaps eight or
nine different times. On one occasion
they met at his home. and afterward all
went to the home of Mr. Dove.
Gives His Reasons.
The witness testified that II had been
understood that Mr.. Ricketts, was sup
ported by the Mergenthaler Company
In his candidacy for Public Printer. Or
this point General Kitchener was pressed
for some 81 the reasons which led him
to believe that Ricketts, had the Mer-
| genthaler support He finally said he
had judged it from the newspaper sup
port that was lined up for Ricketts,.
What newspaper support do yoI
| mean?" was asked
:. 1hiI, AL, ito
and Washington and other big papers,
| explained the witness.
Yes, but what ones, and why was
their support evidence of MergenthaleE
interest?"
; General Michener replied that he hao
! observed notices OF Ricketts, candidacy
in The Washington Times. Post. anC
, Star, the New York Tribune, Indiana
polls News. and other papers: that he
. believed that they were large stock
, holders In the Mergenthaler company
This particular bit of information seem
, ed especially edify1ng TO the Mergen
thaler representatives present. including
President Dodge, J. L. Kennedy. ant
others, and they smiled broadly. but tn.
commissioners moved never a muscle.
In response to further questioning
. General Michener added that he suppos
ed the Mergenthaler interests were sup
porting Ricketts, because J. l.. Kennedy
well known to be q friend Of Ricketts,
Q was the general agent OF the Mergen
i thaler company in Washington.
: His Friendship for Palmer.
General Michener was very positiv
that his interest in behalf OF Public
: Printer Palmer was not based on ex
: pectation OF farors in The form Of con
tracts for machines. II was, he de
clared. purely based on personal friend
ship for Mr.. Palmer.
IT told him that I'd De for him IL W
never got an order for machine de
ciared the witness
1t was pointed out by the Mergen
!, thaler representatives that this view o
! /! | the purpose of the conferences at tn
l Dove home did not coincide with tina
presented by Messrs. Tapley, Hodes
{ and Cottle. who. in their testimony. ha
. explained that the meetings at the Dow
home related to placing contracts 70
Lanston machines.
, | Three Sessions Held.
n The commission held three long ses
8 sions Yesterday, and established a rec
n ord for work and industry that ha
t seldom been equaled among Governmen
u commissions.
The members of the commission. an
the several attorneys and others inter
ested in the controversy, were In
cheerful mood last night on adjourn
= ment. although the strain through whic
e CONTINUED on Second Page.)
t Lumber So Much Lower in Carload Lot