Omaha daily bee., 1905-09-06
PRESIDENT GUSTS PALMER
Public Printer is Directed to Forward His
Resignation to Oyster Bay. -
FORCE WILL &c THOROUGHLY RtoRGANIztB
In Its Present state IL is Ineneient
OWNS 90 Friction Among
Heads 81 Depart
menta.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 5.-Public Printef
f. w. Palmer practically has been ousted
from office. Il was learned Guthoritatively
tonight that President Roosevelt had de-
manded Mr.. Palmers resignation to take
effect on the 18th inst.
The demand OF the president for Mr. Pal.
mer's resignation was due primarily to the
latter's action in trying to force Oscar j.
Ricketts,, foreman of printing, and l.. c.
Hay, foreman OF division. out of the governs
ment printing office. Mr. Palmer asked for
the designations OF Ricketts, and Hay on the
ground that they had been insubordinate.
As soon as President Roosevelt learned OF
the situation that had developed, he d.
rected Public Printer Palmer to forward tc
him his resignation to take effect in two
weeks.
1t has been known for some time that
MT. Palmer would not be re-appointed to his
present office. For several months before
President Roosevelt left Washington for
Oyster Bay, he was casting about for a
suitable man for the position OF Public
Printer. He offered It to John A. sieicher
OF New York, but he declined It. having
something better in view. Until this time
| there has been no change in the situation.
Force Divided into CIiques.
The investigation made by the Keep com
seventy-two Danston typesetting machines
for use in the government printing office
disclosed a serious condition of affairs In
the management of the ONCE, the force,
being divided into cliuues. These cliques
were so detrimental TO the interests Of the
government that the standard of efficiency
| In the department was reduced materially
The evidence secured by the commission ir
the course Of Its inquiry created much bit.
ter feeling among men holding high posi-.
tons in the departments. One of these was
the demand by Palmer for the designations
of Ricketts, and Hay. As the Keep inquiry
so far as known, developed nothing against
the records OF Ricketts, and Hay, the presi.
dent acted promptly in taking the whole
matter out of Palmers hands, and laying II
in the hands of the Keep commission for
such further investigation as might be
necessary. Coupled with this action of the
president, was the demand on Mr.. Palmer
for his resignation.
Will BE Organized.
With the incoming of Mr.. Palmer's sue.
| cessor-and there is ample authority fol
the statement that he has not been Sc.
lected yet-it is expected a thorough re-
| organization of the working force OF the
government printing office will take place
Among the men mentioned in connection
with the Office are Oscar J. Ricketts,
whom the public printer sought to re.
move; H. T. Brian. chief clerk of the
ONCE; w. s. Rossiter, chief clerk of the
census bureau, and John Leech, public
printer In the Philippines. The office pays
salary of $500 a year. The annual dis.
| bursements for the government printing
| office aggregate about STOOO,OOo
General Carr on Desertions.
Brigadier General c. C. Carr command.
| ing the Department of Dakota, in his an.
nual report, touching upon the subject oi
desertions, says they are mainly attribute.
! bic to the slight regard in which the en-
| listed man is held by the average Ameri
can citizen.
| He recommends that the Yellowstone be
made four troop post. The travel in the
park, he says. is increasing yearly ahc
| he estimates that the whole number OF
| the visitors for 1905 will aggregate $1,000
| General Carr invites attention to wha
he terms the grave injury to the service
resulting from the absence OF officers from
their commands and remarks that while
! the duties which the absent officers ar,
called upon to perform are doubtless i'm
/ poTtant, he cannot conceive that in gen
eral they are more important than duty
| with troops