Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-09-06
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington, d. c., Sept. 6.

Washington, d. c., Sept. 8.
The prospective resignation of Public
Printer Frank w. Palmer at the request
of President Roosevelt will be the first
step in a general reorganization of the
government printing Office. There will
probably be a special investigation of
the Office by order of Congress next win
ter, following up the inquiry into its af-
fairs now being made by the Keep COM
mission whose preliminary report was
recently handed to the President. The
fact has been pretty well established that
there has been more or less miamanage-
ment and extravaganza in the conduct
of the big printery. Just how much
fault lies with the public printer and
how much with the laws and regulations
for the office laid down by Congress re-
mains to be determined. There is no
question, however, that the government,
uudcr the present regime, is paying
more for its printing than it would have
to should the work be done by private
concerns under contract. 1t is believed
that the expenses can be materially re-
duced without impairng the efficiency
of the work. The announcement that
the President has decided to ask for
Public Printer Palmer's resignation
was not at all surprising here. Such
action has been expected for some
time, no secret having been made OF
the fact that the President has been
looking about for a competent man
to fill the place. Thus far he has not
succeeded, the salary ga, 5OO) apparent
ly being insufficient to tempt those
whose experience in the printing bust
ness and executive ability qualify them
for the post. Mr.. Palmer, who is rs
years of age, had allowed Foreman
Ricketts, to assume largely the active
management of the Office. The two were
the best of friends until the recent diff
Guilty over the purchase by Palmer's Or
der of 70 Lanston mOD0type machines
came up. Ricketts, held that the pur-
chase was unnecessary and so testified
before the Keep commission. 1t was on
account of this testimony that Palmer
asked for Ricketts, resignation. The
President took prompt action as soon as
he heard of the facts in the case, decid-
ing that Mr.. Palmer's course was entire
" uuwarrauted, and that under no cir
cumstances could Ricketts, testimony be
cassed as an act of Characterization"
such as Palmer termed it. Ricketts,
friends are now predicting that instead
of being ousted from the government
service he will actually become Palmer's
successor as public printer.
Public Printer Palmer has given Fore
men Ricketts, aud Hay until Saturday
morning al 10 o'clock to present their
designations. If the designations are not
forthcoming then he has informed them
they will be removed for "offcial mis-
conduct" The extension of the time
in which to present the designations was
made yesterday, and, it is believed, be-
fore Mr.. Palmer received the request
from the President for his resignation.
Notification was sent to the residences of
Messrs. Ricketts, apd Hay. They were
received last night. In them the public
printer recognizes them as officials in
his Office. 1t is understood that the
President is considering three men
for Palmers successor, Ricketts,, w.
S Rossiter, of the Census Office and the
third to be outside government service.
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
Keep. chairman of the Keep investiga-
ting commission, returned from his va
cation last night. The Keep commission
had been instructed by the President to
investigate the charges of insubordina-
ton brought by Public Printer Palmer
against Foremen Ricketts, and Hay.
They had q conference this morning and
it was decided to again communicate
with the President before calling a
meeting of the commission to take up
that particular feature of the case.
United States Minister Russell. at
Caracas, Venezuela, cabled the State
Department this morning that the Vene-
zuelau government has ordered that all
cables stations of the French Cable
Company, along the coast of Venezuela,
be closed. This is in accordance with
recent decision Of the Venezuelan courts
that the French Cable Company had not
fulfilled the conditions of their contract.
Internal movements of both grain and
live stock during July, as indicated by
receipts and shipments at important
primary markets, reported t. the De-
partment of Commerce and Labor present
marked improve cents, as compared with
similar movements in 1904.
Col. Edwards, chief of the Insular Bu-
reau, today wired the War Department
as follows: "HOngkong-All we'll. Sail
today at noon for Annoy, China" This
indicates that Secretary Tatfs plans for
a quick return to San Francisco have been
altered SO far as The steamship Korea's
call at Annoy, China, is concerned. Ac.
cording to the original plans as cabled
from Manila, the Korea would make a
rush voyage from Hongk kong to San
Francisco, emitting the usual stop at
Honolulu. After leaving Annoy the
customary calls will be made at Shang-