Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-01
PRESIDENT NOTIFIED
WILL DISPOSE OF PRIVATE BUsI-
NESS BEFORE TAKING CHARGE.
Has Made No Plans for the Manage
ment Of the Big
Bureau.

matters that will have to be given consid-
Grafton before he enters actively upon the
discharge of his duties.
When seen by reporter Of The Star to-
day Mr.. Stillings said he would not take
charge of the government printing office
for several weeks. as he has considerable
private business to close up before assum-
ing his new duties. He added that he has
not formed any program or plans of action
or decided upon any changes in the office
1t Will be his purpose when he formally
enters upon the discharge of his duties as
public printer to study the situation care
fully. Then If he sees anything necessary
to be done he will do it.
The new public printer also said that he
would not antagonize any organization, and
that all his planning will be to give both
the government and the employees a square
deal"
His Eligibility.
Some question having arisen as to
whether Mr.. Stillings fills the requirements
Of the Law under which a public printer
should be appointed-that is. that he be
practical printer and have a knowledge or
bookbinding-he was asked this question d.
rect by The Star reporter. In reply he
stated that he started at the printing bust
ness at the foot Of the ladder as Office
boy. or devil" as 1t Is Familiarity termed,
ana had risen through all the grades Nee
essarily, while going through this practI-
cal tuition at the trade Of printing he
gained a sufficient knowledge of bookbin1-
ing.
Mr.. Stillings denied the public statement
that the Griff1th-Stillings Press Of Boston
had done most of the printing for the re-
publican state committee Of Massachusetts,
He explained the Endorsement given him by
Senator Lodge for appointment as public
printer by the statement that Senator
I,nd iy,dn Afv
J. Ricketts, for appointment and that the
second Endorsement of himself was to be
considered only in case the President de-
cided not to appoint Mr.. Ricketts,.
Public Printer Stillings Washington ad-
dress will be 51S 4th street northeast, the
home of his wife's family. He was mar
ried last spring to Mrs. Babendrier of this
city
White House Announcement.
The announcement Of the appointment as
sent out from the White House follows:
October 81, 1905.
The President has appointed Charles A.
StilIings Of Boston. Mass. public printer.
to take effect November l. Mr. Stillings is
manager Of the printers board OF trade of
New York city
Mr.. Stilings was connected for some
years with the Griffith Stillings Press of
Boston; he for about two years sec
rotary of the Typothetae of Washington.
he was lnOOrSeQ Dy senators Lodge ana
Crane. and numerous large printing houses,
including Theodore L. DeVinne & Co.,
Rogers & Co. of Chicago and New York,
the Methodist Book Concern, the Nudge
Press of Boston and others.
Born In Boston.
Charles A. Stillings is a Bostonian born
and bred. but has lately been living In New
York city. where he is secretary of the
printers board of trade. He Is thirty-four
years of age, and his father is said to have
made a gallant record as a soldier In the
civil war. afterward becoming a master
printer in Boston. The public printer Is a
man of pleasing personality, and bears the
impress of being a thorough-going business
man.
He was described today as being typical
Roosevelt young man, such as the President
has been selecting lately for appointment
to positions of trust and responsibility in
the public service 1t Is said his appoint
ment was made without regard to political
influence, although the assent Of Senator's
Lodge and Crane of Massachusetts, to his
selection was obtained by the President. His
Endorsements were mostly of a professional
nature. and of the highest order. 1t is said.
Mr.. Stillings father was member of the
staff of the late Gen. Blackmar, command
er-in-chief of the G. A. r.
The appointment came as a genuine sur
prise to the employees of the government
Mr.. Ricketts, would be chosen to succeed
Mr.. Palmer.
Other Expressions.
Many expressions In regard to the selec-
ton of Mr.. Stillings were heard by report
ers for The Star today.
Mr.. III. C. Yetter, former employee OF the
government printing Office, and now busi-
ness man of this city, had this to say:
Mr. no hi
and in every way fitted for the place, but
il is extremely unfortunate that the Presi
dent should have selected a man for this
position who has been prominently iden-
titled with organization of employing
printers known to be antagonistic to the
best interests of the craft as printers. At
this very moment there is raging through
out the country a bitter struggle between
this organization and the printers for
eight-hour day. which in the light of COM
mon reason should have been granted, as
1t is a demand made necessary by the ma
chine and a benefit enjoyed by every other
craft from the lowest grade of workers to
the highest. but denied to the printers. the
most intelligent craftsmen in the world.
Mr. Stillings represents this organiza-
ton. and it Is presumed that as public prin-
ter he will be in sympathy with its objects,
which are to crush the union. open shop
and longer hours, which will be opposed
by the organized crafts in the office and en-
danger the peaceful relations so long ex-
listing in that establishment.
II do not know Mr.. Stillings, but 1t strikes
me that IL he attempts to carry any Ty-
potheta methods into the government print
ing office you may look for serious trouble"
J. l.. Feeney, president OF the local book
binders union, said: I'm the appointment
of Charles A. Stilings as public printer
believe President Roosevelt has selected
man thoroughly qualified to conduct the big
printery in an up-to-date business manner.
AS the manager of the printers and book
binders board of trade of this city have
had business dealings with him regarding
union matters, and know he Is in no sense
opposed to labor unions but believes In the
doctrine of our President a square deal for
every man. and his record shows he Is
strong advocate of arbitration as a remedy
for all labor disputes"
John G. Hodges. bookbinder and paper
ruler. 420-422 18th street northwest: "I am
personally acquainted with Mr. Stillings,
and when President Roosevelt selected him
for the position of public printer he chose
a man that will stand pat for the best of
reform and good management, Mr.. Stillings
being a man OF exceptional qualities and an
expert In the branches OF printing and book
binding"
Glad Matter Is Settled.
When Mr.. Ricketts, was seen by a repre-
sentative of The Star this foreuoon ha AZ