The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-08-21
STATE PRINTER
SHANNON FACES
HIS INQU|s|T0Rs
Committee Appointed by
Legislature Begins It's
Investigation Work
SELLS PRESS FOR SIS
Shannon Admits Disposing
of Office Machinery
at Low Prices
TELLS OF BARGAINS
Metal Outfit Costing $4,000
Is Sold to Grass Valley
Man for $361
BY John Taylor Waldorf

Special BY Leased Wae to The Call
SACRAMENTO Aug. 2o.-Be-
tween indignation and warm weather
State Printer Shssaon had bard
time today as ne faced the legislative
committee which is investigating his
management of the state printing
office.
K. II. Jury, George w. Root and
Sam Beckett had their coats of, so
Billy Shannon doffed his coat also
and did his best to make himself at
home. Still he was not comfortable.
Chairman Estudillo refused to hold
the committee responsible for news
paper articles that had aroused the
Shannon ire. Il know nothing of any
charges. exclaimed the witness. IF
this committee is trying me I should
know it, NO charges have been
made by the committee" answered
Chairman Estudillo. I'VE are merely
investigating your office Assembly
man Jury got a rise out of the wit
ness soon. 1t came about in this way.
Jury asked shannon if he knew the
present whereabouts of II D. Hickok,
a former employe of the state printers
office. shannon answered, No.
Don't you know that he is now in
San Mateo?"
Il do not; don't see why I should
know replied Shannon.
San Mateo is Jury's home, and he
went on to give some particulars of
Hickok's visit He has been there for
three months, living at good hotel
and not doing tap of work"
What's that got to do with me?9
asked Shannon.
People, down there have an impress
sion that he is in San Mateo for pur-
pose answered jury pointedly. I'D
like to know that purpose"
Il don't know anything about it,
answered shannon with show of
warmth that was not due to the tenn
perature of the room.
The incident ended without settling
the momehtous question of whether
Hickok is Jury's shadow or merely an
idle visitor.
Chairman Estudillo, who conducted
the examina ton in chief, asked many
questions relating to the affairs of
shannon's office. His queries were
based on study of conditions and gave
proof of desire to get at the facts.
Shannon testified to selling a chain
delivery press to w. F. Priske of Grass
Valley for 1851. It cost $4,000 He sold
a Colts armory press to Joseph Ander-
son Of this city for IS; it cost about
s4oo7 He sold chain delivery press
to H. w. ogg of Oak Park for $500.
It cost $4,000. He sold a CottreH press
to the T. shannon Conmy printing com
pany of san Francisco for $500. But
that firm backed out and the American
type company paid the price. That
pres cost $4,000. Shannon declared that
all four presses we're old and out of
date and that his sales were approved
bx the state board of examiners.
Questions by the chairman and AS
sen4blyman N. w. Thompson brought
out that printers in the state ofice re-
ceive more pay than the statutes allow.
Under the law they are not to receive
more than the Sacramento wage scale.
which is now $3.50 a day. The state
ONCE printers get $3.50.
shannon admitted doing favors for
many printing firms after the earth
quake and was proud of it. He denied