Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-09


the theater." remarked one Of the foreman
as he looked into the room.
One feature OF the course adopted by the
acting public printer called forth favorable
comment. During the first day OF his In
cumbency in his new position Mr.. Ricketts,
had numerous instructions to give, and.
naturally, had opportunity to indicate MS
favor or disfavor of leading foremen In the
offico, a few OF whom were recently In OPP
position to him. But no one could detect
that ne remembered or cared to remember
such incidents, and In many cases ms
course seemed to indicate that he had ali
of his old-tim sentiment OF comradeshlp
for the very mon who had lately opposed
him. This course was remarked upon az
sure to eradicate any remnant OF factionAa
feeling that might have existed In the OF
fee.
The Mergenthaiers, the Lanstons and the
Guttsnbergers, as the men who set type py
hand are called forgot that there had ever
been a difference Of opinion on any subject
among them
Why MT. Palmer Was Removed.
Mr.. Palmer had been asked by the Presi-
dent to send him his resignation by tho
18th instant. The cause Of Mr.. Palmers
removal before that date Is ascribed to
his action in Ignoring the instructions or
the President that accompanied the request
for his resignation. In chat connection the
President informed Mr.. Palmer that he had
referred the protests Of Messrs. Ricketts,
and Hay to the Keep commission and that
that commission would make a report on the
matter. But instead OF abandoning his course
in forcing the removal of Mr.. Ricketts,
Mr.. Palmer again wrote to the latter, say
ing that in order that there should be no
cause for criticisro as to the shortness OF
the time given him to show cause why ne
should not be removed for characterization
he would extend the time for reply to the
charges against him until today at noon,
the first limit of time having been last
Tuesday. This action was taken to indicate
hat Dol IN
Ricketts,. In spite OF the Presidents action
in turning the case over to the Keep COM
mission. When these facts came to the at
tention OF the President he gave instruc-
lions that Mr.. Palmer be removed.
President to Settle the Matter.
Charles H. Keep. the head of the depart
mental commission of inquiry. received
word today from the President that the
commission would not be expected to pro-
coed with inquiry into the government
printing office squa bble This action of the
President is regarded as indicating his In
tention to pass upon the whole thing him
self.
When the matter was first taken up with
the President he directed the Keep COM
mission to investigate the whole question
of the cliques in the printing office and the
charge that Foreman Ricketts, had been In
subordinate. Before the commission could
begin work the President himself took
charge and requested the resignation Of
Public Printer Palmer. Mr.. Keep then
wrote for further Instructions. and now he
has been informed that his commission will
not be troubled to enter into the matter.
The suggestion was made to the PRESIDENT
by prominent member of the commission
that the successor to Mr.. Palmer be allowed
to handle the affair and clean 1t up as he
thought best. and the assumption Is that
the President has concluded to do this. The
Interpretation In some quarters is that the
President has decided to appoint some man
other than Mr.. Ricketts,. On the other
hand the Ricketts, people believe that the
President proposes to make Ricketts, public
printer, and thus end the whole contro-
versy.
The President has told many persons In
the last four or f1ve months that he thought
II best that an outside man should have
this plaza. and the recent trouble Is likely,
It Is he'd by some. to confirm this belief.
The only thing likely to change that view
Mr.. Palmer and Mr.. Ricketts, the influential
friends of the latter have unanimously ap-
pealed to the President to give Mr.. Ricketts,
a chance.
Belief at the Printing Office.
There was a belief in the printing Office
today that the Presidents act In designat-
ing Mr. Ricketts, acting public printer
was merely a forerunner OF his appointment
as public printer. The opinion was express
ed that the President naturally. until he
had received an additional report on the
office in relation to the demand Of the pub
lie printer for the resignation OF the FORE
man OF printing. did not care to take Anal
pressed that IL nothing detrimental to Mr..
Ricketts, would be developed the logical out
come of the situation would be to continue
him in that office.
into Office OF the public printer the
big shop settled down to business. and ex-
cept for the presence of the flowers In the
room of the public printer, there was moth
ipo ind "a
ways been running along In the same
smooth way for long time.
A Star reporter today asked Mr.. Palmer
whether he had any statement to make
concerning the course matters have taken
In the government printing office. but he
replied that he had nothing to say on that
subject. Mr. Palmer will leave the city In
q few days for his home in Chicago.
At the government printing office today
there were only expressions OF good Will
for Mr.. Palmer. In all the congratulations
received by Mr.. Ricketts, hts good for
tune there was not word concerning Mr..
Palmer that could have offended the latter
had he been there to witness the transfer OF
the esta blishment to the care of the new
official Mr. Ricketts, himself when he re-
ferred to the former public printer always
did so in the most considerable way.
Will Demand Investigation.
It must seek employment" said Mr.. Pal
mer at Is necessary, and even II 1t were
not necessary, 1t Is desirable to be en-
ployed."
Mr.. Palmer will demand thorough in
vestigation by Congress. He may make
statement before leaving for Chicago. but
desires further consultation with his attor-
ney. Mr.. Palmer once served a member
OF Congress from Iowa district, having
defeated John A Kasson for the nominal
tion. Later he served a ter mas postmaster
OF Chicago.
He denied today that he had pursued
Ricketts, and Hay In violation of the Pres
nrda II sat hot ra-
quested extension OF time in which to
answer his demand upon them to show
cause why they should not be removed.
This extension was granted until today.
This was the only action Mr.. Palmer took
in the cases after the Presidents order ac-
cepting his resignation. and this was taken,
he insists, at the request of Ricketts, and
Hay.