Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-11
Planning Reduction in Cost.

Planning Reduction in Cost
The new public printer is also over
whelmed with letters of congratulation
from all parts of the country. But in the
midst of all this continued display of good
feeling on the part of his many friends
Mr. Ricketts, was quietly at work at his
desk, and it IS understood that lie is al
ready working out plans for the better
mert of the office. especially in the matter
of the cost of work The government print
ing office has been criticised because II has
been declared that the cost of work there
has been very much in excess of the
cost in private establishments This
criticism has been so pronounced that at
times there have been discussions as to the
advsiblity of the government giving its
printing work out by contract. Mr. Rick
etts is convinced that additional economies
can be made In the manner of administer
Ing the Office so as to effectually remove
the possibility for such criticism. The fact
that all employees of the big building have
thirty days leave of absence and are paid
rather In excess of rates that paid i'm
private employment Is the only reason for
additional cost. Such additional cost, how
ever, would not be important.
There many divisions In the printing
office in which careful study OF the cost
of work and improvements in methods wili
it is believed, show very beneficial effect,
so far as the cost Of work is concerned.
Legality of Appointment.
some uouDl Idu DeeH expressed wnelner
Mr.. Ricketts, can legally fill the place Of
public printer except by permanent appoint
ment, but Solicitor General Hoyt, acting at
torney general, today decided that Mr.
Ricketts, is qualified to temporarily carry on
the work. After this decision Mr.. Ricketts,
filed with the Treasury Department bond
for 100000 as acting public printer the
Title Guarantee and Trust Company of
Scranton, Pa, being the surety. The law
reuntraS that the bOnd shall he anprOypd
the Secretary of the Treasury. This neces-
STATED its filing at the treasury.
1t is understood that not only was the
question of the legality of Mr.. Ricketts, ap-
pointment taken up before the Department
OF justice, but that the controller of the
treasury called in. In the absence Of
Controller Traceweu Assistant Controller
Mitchell was called into consultation by Mr..
Hoyt and Mr.. Taylor, acting head of the
treasury, Assistant Secretary Keep being
also present. Mr.. Mitchell, ii is stated by
those who were present, did not consider it
advisable to render an advance decision on
the question, saying that II was the duty OF
the Attorney General to advise the Presi-
dent as to the legality of appointments. In
divfdually, however, Mr.. Mitchell is said 10
have been in some doubt to the appolnt-
ment being a legal one. There was care
full examination of the statute by those
present, and Mr.. Hoyt decided that as the
statute was silent on the question OF the re-
moval of public printer Mr.. Ricketts, could
qualify and perform the work of the office
Text of the Statute.
The section of the statute relating to the
matter follows:
I'm case of the death, resignation, absence
or sickness of the public printer the chief
clerk of the government printing office shall
perform the duties of the public printer un-
til a successor is appointed or such absence
Or sickness shall cease; but the fresiden.
may in his discretion, authorize and direct
any other officer of the government, whose
appointment is vested In the President py
and with the advice and consent OF the SEN
ate to perform the duties of the vacant or
flee until a successor is appointed, or the
sickr ress or absence of the public printer
shall cease: Provided, That vacancy oc-
casioned by death or resignation must not
be temporarily filled under the provisions
OF this section for longer period than ten
days, and no temporary appointment desig-
nation or assignment of another offlcer 10
perform such duty shall be made except to
fl vacancy happening during recess or
the Senate"
The spirit of the law, it is generally ad-
mitted, contemplates the selection of the
chief clerk of the government printing Of
fice in case of the disability OF the public
printer The present chief clerk is Henry
T Brian, who was foreman prior to Mr..
Ricketts, appointment. He is a brother-in-
law of Senator German. Mr.. Brian became
chief clerk upon the death of Chief Clerk
Collins some years ago and this made the
foremanship vacancy that resulted In the
A Permanent Appointment
The statute is absolutely silent as to the
removal of a public printer, Congress evil
IDENTIFY having considered that 1t had pro-
vided for all possibilities. That very ST.
lence enables Mr. Ricketts, to hold the POSI-
ton. according to Mr.. Hoyts view of the
matter. 1t is what the lawyers call
casus omissus--case of omission-and the
permits Mr.. Ricketts, to go on
with the work.
II is understood that Mr.. Ricketts, bond
is a day-by-day affair. He does not care
TO go to the expense of paying out the
money for a permanent bond until he
knows what disposition the President In
tends to make of his case.
Assistant Secretary Keep OF the depart
mental commission of inquiry which re-
norted to the President upon the Lanston
contract of Mr.. Palmer said today that the
n,hlished account of his commissions re-
mort to the President was substantially
correct The report made ffty-two pages
of typewriter copy.
Under the wording of the law. Mr..
Ricketts NAV not be able to hold the tenn