Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-24
MAY ORDER INQUIRY
EXISTING CONDITIONS AT PRINT
ING OFFICE FOUNDRY.

Referring to a published statement to the
effect that existing conditions in the foun-
dry at the government printing Office need
Investigation, and that there will probably
be reduction in the force of bookbinders
and women folders and stitchers at the big
printery an official who is in close touch
with Public Printer Charles A. Stillfngs
said to a Star reporter today:
IF the public printer is the keen business
man he is reputed to be he will call COM
nIittee of master electrotypers, say from
New York, Boston and Philadelphia, to
make an investigation into the existing con-
ditions in the foundry and then make an
intelligent report to him. The committee
WILL of course, compare conditions in the
government printing office foundry with
those that prevail in the foundries of COM
mercial establishments.
1T is presumed that men who set them
selyes up as critics are experts in their par
ticular lines and will therefore be willing TO
submit to an examination by other experts
from commercial houses. Men who crlt1clse
must he workmen of unquestioned ablilty,
and in exercising their right TO indulge IN
criticism they also make themselves the
subjects of criticism.
"If they can make good to their
charges against the conduct of the foun-
dry, all right, If net, then they cannot OBJ.
ject if Mr.. StillinGs turns the limelight of
investigation upon them. Then when the
report of the investigating commission is
received by Mr.. Stiilings prompt action will
follow
To Investigate Bindery.
Referring to the report that "bookbinders
in the government printing office expect
their force to be cut down - or 100 per
cent. and it will necessarily follow that
considerable number of women s.itchers
and folders will be discharged" the official
"a ,ic e.,
investigate conditions in the bindery and
folding department.
He will put on an inspector thoroughly
NefSed in such matters who is unknown to
the employees of those branches or the men
IN chafge or them, so that he will not be
Influenced by personal motives. This in
spector will be required TO make an i'm
partial report and on that report the pub
lie printer will act. But he will be sure
he IS right before lie takes final action and
Will stand by 1t. The chiefs and EMPLOYEES
Will he considered from the standpoint of
the value to the government of their sery-
ices and their abilities and personal con-
sderatons will not he allowed to enter III O
tne matter On that basis the employees
VIII either he dropped or retained in the
government service
AS to the matter of substitrtf,,, motion
vehicles for the wagons now used bv the
government printing office for hauling the
output of the office, it is understood no ac-
lon VIII be taken until MI StilIfngs re-
~ y, IEPolt from ms chlef electrician,
AF. iapiey, who has been north invesri-
gazing the several makes of motor, We
hicies Mr. Tapley has been commissioned
TO make trip to New York city for further
investigation before making his final report
Mr. Sul.ings, accompanied by Mr. Oscar
j Rlcketts. foreman of printing. will make
a trip north the latter part of this week TO
look INTO certain contracts for machinery
Tor the government printing office Some
of these contracts are said to be overdue.
The report that there is to be a wholcsa g
reductlon OF the forces of the bindery and
foIdlng room owing to a lack of work has
caused considerable uneasiness among the
employees of those departments