Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-07
TOSUCCEED MR.. PALMER
NOT MANY SUGGESTED FOR
PUBLIC PRINTER.

Interest in the government printing office
Is now centering upon the forthcoming ac-
ton of the President in appointing a sue
cessor to the public printer. This question
has become a matter OF immediate impor-
lance to the 5000 persons employed In the
big printery, and 1t Is taking the place of
speculation to the reforms that are ex-
pected to be brought about in the manner
of conducting the Office
1t is generally believed that the President
will not long defer appointing a public
printer. 1t Is not thought by those who
are most familiar with the developments in
the printing office controversy that Mr..
Palmer will undertake to exercise any fur
Their administrative control over the office
between the present and the time when
he retires, the 18th instant.
1t Is believed he will merely continue to
carry on the usual work of the office. and
In this view of the case 1t is not expected
that he will undertake to issue any order
for the removal of Mr. Ricketts,. the fore
man of printing. next Saturday which is
the day to which he extended Mr.. Ricketts,
opportunity to reply to his charges of in
subordination.
Status Of Ricketts, and Hay.
The view generally taken of the situation
in the printing office is that all matters
OF contention there In respect to the case
of Messrs Ricketts, and Hay are within
the Jurisdiction OF the Keep commission, to
which the President has referred them. It
has been said that it is barely possible
that Mr.. Palmer may proceed to enforce the
removal OF Mr.. Ricketts,. But in that case
1t Is expected that the President would
promptly restore Mr.. Ricketts,, SO that his
case would rest where 1t has been until he
gets ready to pass upon the report of the
Keep commission. But 1t Is not generally
expected that such contingency will arise.
The public printer having been requested
to send In his resignation on the 18th In
slant and the Ricketts, case having been
referred by the President to the Keep COM
mission Ii Is not thought likely that any
thing will be done to change that status
of the case until action is taken by the
President.
MT. Palmer's Successor.
The appointment of public printer lis be-
lieved by many to be settled down to the
cfoice of Mr.. Ricketts, or some one not con-
nected with the government printing office.
There are not many men named in con-
nection with the Office as possible ap-
pcintees. The position Is one that would be
acceptable to many men. but so far as Is
known there Is no one outside the Office who
has any considerable lacking for the place.
Mr.. w. s. Rossiter, chief clerk of the
census office, has been suggested in con-
nect1on with the position. and should he be
selected he has said that he would accept
the place. He is a man of great ability as
a practical printer. and has the confidence
OF many men who are familiar with his
work at the census office and elsewhere.
While 1t is said that there might be adj
vantages IN selecting a public printer who
is a total stranger to the office, or at least
one who Is not connected with 1t. there are
other reasons urged In favor of the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Ricketts, in the event that
nothing can be discovered affecting his
course there. His friends claim that the
entire investigation has not only not de-
veloped anything to his disadvantage. but
II has demonstrated that he has possessed
not only ability but courage to take a neu-
trail course In the matters that have led to
the investigation of the Lanston contracts.
They point TO his testimony before the Keep
commission as indicating that he has been
dsinterested In the matter OF the typeset-
ting machines. except so far serving the
best interests of the government is con-
cerned.
Mr.. Ricketts, friends as well as others de-
clare that IL there Is a failure to uphold
him In the present emergency the result of
that course will be detrimental to the in
terests OF the public service In that 1t will
punish an official who has been independent
In his action and has not hesitated to dis
approve acts he regarded injudicious.