The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-09-11

pressed in Mr.. Dodge's letter to thu
fuoic Printer, asking to be advised
whether additional purchases of type
setting machinery were in contempla-
non, end of the Public Printers reply
thereto nat Re was not yet ready 20
.ake the matter up. but that when the
tiine came he comparative merits % the
TWO machines would have his careful
consluera tiCn, and in view of the init
mate political and personal relationship
between the Public Printer and General
Michencr, the counsel for the La nston
A1onotype Company. 1t is our opinion
that this purchase should not have been
negotiated az the private residence OF
Mr.. Dove and General Kitchener. but al
the Government Printing Office. and
that the method followed in this case
was highly improper; also that the Mer-
genthaler Company should have been
informed that the purchase of additional
machines was under consideration. and
should have been given an opportunity
TO he heard.
Praise for Ricketts,.
1T has been necessary. in describing
the circumstances attending the eXecu-
ton of this contract. to mention the
name Of Oscar ]. Ricketts,. foreman of
printing. in connection with the move
meut TO have him appointed Public
Printer, and to refer TO the opinion
avowed and expressed by Mr.. Palmer
and General Kitchener and Mr.. Dove.
TO each other and to members of Con-
gress, that he was the candidate OF the
Mergenthaler Linotype Company, and
that his company was the principal
interest and influence behind his can
didacy. Questions were asked of the
Public Printer. Mr.. Dove, and General
Kitchener as to what grounds they had
for thinking that the Mergenthaler
Company was behind Mr.. Ricketts,. The
character. and it is only just to Mr.
Ricketts, to say that there is not in
| the evidence taken before this commit
tee anything to show an iilegitimate
the MerSenthaler Company; nor is there
any proof of any act of Mr.. Ricketts,
| in connection with the Mergenthaler
and Lanston machines in the Govern
ment Printing Office which in our opin-
ion, is to Mr. Ricketts, discredit or IN
consistent with n preference on his part
his honest belief as printer that this
machine was better adapted than the
Lanston machine for much OF the Work
in the Government Printing Office:
1.-The important fact brought to light
! in connection with this matter Is that
MIR. Ricketts,. while holding the position
os foreman of printing, and being In
immediate charge Of the work done there
/ the only officer whose duties gave him
| immediate supervision or both machines.
was in no manner consulted by the Pub
[ lie Printer in an important purchase or
I machinery for the reason. as avowed by
| the Public Printer that he considered
Mr.. Ricketts, prejudiced in favor of the
satisfied from information that came to
| him that the Mergenthahler company
| had been the principal influence behind
Mr.. Ricketts, candidacy Such dissen-
sion in a great Government bureau be-
F! tween the head of the office and one of
| his principal assistants could not fall
| to be prejudiciai to the proper conduct
| OF its business.
in he nF he
mony taken by the commission that sew
eral persons I'm the Government Print
ing Office were, at the time covered by
our inquiries, Interested In the stock or
| the Lanston and Mergenthaler compan-
| les Both of these stocks are dealt In
on the Washington Stock Exchange, and
/ IL is not surprising that in a body of
men. as large as that employed in the
/ Government Printing Office. whose at
tention is naturally directed to typeset-
| ting machinery, some speculation in
Lanston and Mergenthaler stocks should
| be found. The committee considered such
matters OF no Importance. except in the
case of persons whose acts exercised an
| infiue nee upon the reports submitted to
! the Public Printer about the typesetting
| machinery, or persons who occupied
! important positions in the Government
Printing Office and might be regarded az
! assistants TO the Public Printer.
Gross Improperly.
The Keep report says the ownership
of stock in a typesetting machine com
| pany may not be a violation Of the
Revised Statutes but it's ownership by
the wife OF an assistant In the office
where such assistant is in a position &c
1 exercise influence upon the opinion OF
the Public Printer constitutes gross
Byron W Bonny, in charge of the
record clerks division OF the Govern
ment Printing once. suggested q
the test of composition cost between TIT
Mergenthaler and the Lanston machines
His suggestion was acquiesced In by Mr.
Ricketts,. On the stand. Mr.. Bonney ties
!, titled that ne had never held stock II
, either company, but the admission wa
I drawn from him that his wife had form
company. This she had sold a yea
: ago Later. she purchased Lanstol
; stock, selling the latter three weeks be
. fore Mr.. Bonney appeared before tn
: committee. She had bought the stock
: her husband testified, with her indie
, pendent means.
! Albert Cottle, chief of the Fifth divi
sion, where ten Lanston machines ar
| located, stated that he had heard hi
wife held 100 shares of stock In tn
c Lanston Company. but he was not sur
: about 81. as she had an independent In
: | come and did not always consult hin
= as 10 her investments Mr.. Cottle, IN
= report says, was one of the three mem
? bers of a committee appointed by IN
! Public Printer 10 investigate typesettin
q machines in the early summer of 1904.
a Attended Conferences.
He was says the report. zone OF tn
men mentioned by the Public P-inte
: TO General Michener as a friend whor
V General Kitchener was free 10 consul
g with outside of office hours about IN
! Ricketts, candidacy for Public Printel
e He attended several conferences at III
2 house of Mr.. Dove. where he met NJ
o Hodes. Mr.. Tapley. and General Mich
q ener, 10 discuss the Ricketts, campa!g
e with a view to the protection OF VI
: Palmer's interests. He was consulte
[ by Mr.. Palmer in connection with III
I purchase Of additional Lanston ms
: chinery
Mr.. Tapley is chief electrician OF n
Government Printing Office and NJ
J Hodes IS I'm charge OF the gazette div
= sion. where eighteen of the Lanston M
chimes were placed.
The Investigation as 10 the compars
tive cost of composition as among hanC
4 work Mergenthaler and Lanston ma
chimes the Keep commission state
Il ,nada the request of the publ