The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-09-03
PRINTING OFFICE SHAKEUP.
DISuISSALS FOLLOW VICTORY or
LANSTON TYPE MACHINE.
vaccinations OF the Mergenthalcr People
Resuite,: n IN Inquiry which Hes
Proved . Bo0mcrang-Treach To.
ward the Public Printer Exposed.

Oscar D. Ricketts,, foreman OF printing,
and L. C. Hay, foreman Of the job division
In the Government Printing Office. These
officers have refused to resign on the ground
that the Public Printer has not acted in
compliance with the Civil Service laws
and regulations. The Public Printer has
ayen Messrs Ricketts, and Hay until noon
tuesday to hand in their designations. II
tbey do not comply with his request by
that time they will then be called upon to
show cause why they should not be re-
moved. In his letter to Ricketts, and Hay
asking for their resignations, Mr.. Palmer
stated that he no acted because OF con-
dnued acts Of INSTRUMENTATION on their
part.
IA recognized as the first aftermath Of the
recent investigation by the Keep commits
siop into the affairs OF the Office and into
the conditions attending a certain contract
for type machines entered into between the
public Printer and the Lanston Monotype
Company.
II is certain that other changes in the
office Of an important character will soon
follow and that ultimately will come the
resignation or removal Of the Public Printer,
whose administration the Keep commits
sion is understood to have condemned.
The office Of the Public Printer has been in
4 badly demoralized condition for con-
adorable period, a fact which close observers
attribute positively to the Vaccinations Of
the Mergenthaler Linotype Company and
ie president, Philip T. Dodge, in their
efforts to supplant F. W. Palmer the pres
ent incumbent, and procure the appoint
ment In his place OF a man better suited
for their purposes.
When typesetting and composing
machines were not long since introduced
into the Public Printing Office, two kinds
and the Lanston. They had been rivals
for some time. Their appearance In the
Public Printing Office was the first occasion
that had occurred in their history when
they could be subjected to test Of their
respective merits.
They had not been long under observa-
ton when it became apparent that the
LAnston was much superior to the Mergen-
thaler, and embraced in its capacity a
much wider scope OF efficiency. 1t did
all sorts Of things in the line Of printing
that the Mergenthaler could not do. 1t
was more accurate, gave superior product
and was more economical In its operation.
When the Mergenthaler Linotype Com
pany became aware Of this they resorted
10 every conceivable expedient to defame
and decry the Lanston machine, and
charged Mr.. Palmer and his leading subor-
dinates with falshying the records and
adopting other discreditable expedients
To make 1t appear that the Lanston machine
was capable Of producing results that were
superior to those OF the Mergenthaler.
They even went 30 far as to accuse the
Public Printer Of being corrupt and Of
having some nefarious relations to the
Lsnston Company by which be was in
duced 90 to shape his conduct toward that
machine.
Lanston stock they said, had been used
10 procure opinions and services OF value
within the Department Of Public Printing,
and when F. W. Palmer, on the recommended
ton Of committee Of experts, decided to
increase the number Of Lanston machines
In his office from twenty-eight to 100. Philip
T. Dodge. tho president OF the Mergen-
thaler Linotype Company wrote a letter
to the President in which he charged all
these several things against the Public
Printer and his Office, and demanded that
the contract be held up by Presidential
order.
This, on the face OF the charges and in view
Of their serious nature, the President felt
compelled to do, and he appointed what
was known as the Keep Commission to in
quire into az the conditions alleged to exist.
The inquiry lasted a considerable time and
charges made by Dodge were proven to be
false and utterly without foundation, and
the contract entered into by the Public
Printer with the Lanston Company to be
beyond reproach.
When this report Of the Keep Commission
believed that the President has minated
that it will not be published until after his
return to Washington. But enough Is
Known OF IL to bear out fully the foregoing
deduction, as has been shown by the Pres-
DENTS public statement that the Lanston
The reasons for Ricketts's dismissal will
probably be found to be closely related
10 the foregoing circumstances. His cor
respondence with Dodge, his conduct in
the Public Printing Office; his. behavior
upon the respective merits Of typesetting
and typecasting machines, when the Mer--
genthaler Linotype machine received
1rou gh his agency the st. Louis gold medal;
oil these have given rise to a widespread
COnVlcClOn LnAL ne lS q man wholly III Cn0
interests OF the Mergenthaler Linotype
Company and entirely subeervient to the
wishes Of Philip T. Dodge. its president.
Rckette was brou ght up by Mr.. Palmer
~ the Public Printing Office. He owed
him his position there and every oppor-
tunity for advancement that he had en-
joyed. and he was a faithful and COM
paratively efficient assistant until his al
hgiance was abandoned for the more lucra-
tive and attractive opportunities offered
him by Dodge. Dodge and all his political
influence doomed Ricketts, for the sue
censorship to his benefactor. Palmer, and
Ricketts, himself left nothing undone to
further the scheme and promote his own
interests, irrespective Of any other con-
alterations.
AT one time 30 potent was the pressure
that it was thought that Ricketts's name
would be sent In to the Senate as the
Presidents appointee in place Of Palmer.
~ d Ricketts, even went 80 far as to have
his photograph prepared in the form OF an
electrotype to be sent out to the press with
the announcement Of his promotion. Wiser
counsel prevailed. however, and the Public
Printing Office was saved from inoelble
disgrace.
Mr.. Palmer has borne hirself throughout
al Of the trying ordeal with the utmost
dignity. He has tolerated everything
and said as little as possible. He is fully
conscious that the infrrities of are and the
extra ordinary Giffc,lltieS CT his position