Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-08
NO MEETING TODAY
Hearing on Charges as to Lam
ston Machines Goes Over.
SECRETARY CRITICISED
AN OFFICIALS EXPERIENCE OF
STAR CHAMBER METHODS.
Points Out the Value Of Public In
stigation-Contrary to Spirit Of
the Presidents Declarations.

The Keep commission, which, il is alleged.
is investigating scandalous charges in rela-
ton to the purchase of seventy-two Lanston
typesetting machines, did not meet today
but the scandal which the commission Itself
has started by its secret methods was
greater than ever.
Speculation on the reasons for such un-
usual secrecy Is still rife, not only in the
government printing office itself. but also
throughout the government service Many
high officials convinced that the method
Of the commission will result in ultimate
condemnation. and that 1t will be fortunate
indeed, If it escapes serious rebuke. One
official, who occupies one of the most i'm
portaut places under the government in
commenting upon secret investigation
said
One officials Experience.
II was myself some years ago an unfor-
tunate sufferer from secret investigation.
Charges of corrupt practices were made by
me, and it was my duty to force an inves-
tigation Of those charges. l did so. and /
was confident that they could be substan-
tiated. When the investigation was held 1t
was. against my protests, conducted In Sc
cret. The result was that report was
made that placed me in the light of little
else than an idiot
financially able to force a judicial investiga-
tion. which was conducted above board
would have been forever branded as a
crack-brained fellow. The fact is that /
eventually substantiated every charge that
had been made and the fraudulent investi-
gators received just punishment.
Il do not say that the labors of the COM
mission that is at work at the government
printing office are not being performed con-
scientiously, but do say that whenever a
secret investigation of such published
charges of corrupt practices is suggested
there is some reason other than the good
OF the service apt to develop from It The
investigation that finds out things and ad-
mits of no whitewash is the investigation
that Is conducted openly. allowing all peo-
pie who are informed about the alleged. COR
rupt practices to follow the developments
!! from day to day. In that way there are
| many valuable suggestions brought out and
much information is secured that would
never be obtained behind closed doors"
The Presidents Desire Of Publicity.
There was a consensus of opinion that the
proceedings of the ce.smission at entire
variance with the utterances of the Presi-
dent in relation to the publicity of corpora
tions. The opinion was expressed that such
course Systematically adopted by the ad-
ministration in its conduct of public busi-
ness would ultimately destroy the effective
ness of the manly utterances of the Presi-
dent in relation to publicity Of corporate af-
fairs. Especial comment was made on the
strong language of the President in saying:
THE first requisite is knowledge-full and
complete-knowledge which may be made
public to the world
Why such wide latitude should be given
in the publication of the affairs of a private
corporation and yet not be applied to the
affairs of the government service cannot be
understood by many people who are follow
ing the events in the government printing
Office. 1t is said that the commission is
merely inviting just criticism to the policy
of the government in relation to corporate
publicity Regret is expressed because of
this condition, as there are still influences
that are fighting the policy of the President
In relation to publicity of corporate affairs.
Would Form Dangerous Precedent
| This course of a government commission
If sustained 1t is believed, will be cited to
sustain the contention that there should be
no publicity of business affairs; that the
| government itself finds it is necessary to
practice the utmost secrecy in relation to
| its official acts.
| The case of the Equitable Life Insurance
| Company is cited as applicable to that
which is involved in the government print
| ing office scandal. In that case had it been
possible to have secret investigation
and to force whitewashed report down
| the throats of the stockholders little doubt
| is expressed that there would have been
Whitewash by the men who were interested
| in continuing their control of the corpora
| tion
But public opinion demanded, and there
was accorded, an investigation, under
which the results that were being obtained
were made public daily The result, 1t Is
believed has been vastly more to the en-
lightenment of the stockholders and vast
Iy more to their benefit than would have
resulted in any star chamber proceeding.
All Quiet Today.
| The five investigators who are conducting
| the inquiry at the government printing OF
! fee did not hold a session today, an ad-
| iournment having been taken yesterday
| until Monday morning. The big printery
| therefore for the nonce resumed its usual
| wont and appeared again In the character
| of the great workshop instead of like some
| ancient bastile The corridors in the V1cin-
| ity of the secret Investigating chamber
| were compare lively free from restraint, the
two colored doormen were not in evidence
| and the spirit of timidity so apparent when
the commission was In session was not
| noticeable today.
The employees of the vast print shop de-
voted some of their time today discussing
| the testimony of yesterday and the day
before or of so much of it as has leaked.
| The merits of the Lanston and the Mergen-
| thaler machines were also discussed, for 1t
! is said considerable stock of both compa-
/ nies is owned in the office and as result
| each had it's champions.
| One Foreman Got $2, 500.
| choice bit of testimony which it is