Evening star., 1907-08-27
OMIT BILL" AND ''TOM"
employees OF GOVERNMENT
PRINTERY MUST USE TITLES.

A rumor has been in circulation since the
departure of Public Printer Charles A. Still
lings for the east. several days ago. that
he had been sent for by President Roosevelt
and that his resignation would be request
ed. The reasons given were that his meth
DDS were not approved by organized labor,
especially by the members of the typo
graphical union, and that under the cur
rent at the printery there lurked great dis
satisfaction and state OF almost open
mutiny."
1t was also said the printers and book
binders had brought their weight to bear
on certain prominent republicans, who had
concluded, for ''the good of the party"
that Mr.. Stillngs should step down and
out.
been surcharged with the foregoing and
similar reports, and the result has been
considerable gossip.
Two Of the highest officials at the big
printery were asked as to the truthfulness
of the reports today, and they both de-
clared there was not scintilla of truth in
them.
"As a matter of fact" one of them de-
clared. M. Stillings has gone north on a
purely business trip, and he may, while
away, visit the President at Oyster Bay.
1t Is possible there are some matters of
printing office policy he may desire to talk
over with the President. but the rumor that
he will be asked to resign is untrue and
absurd"
Another official Of the printing Office said
the public printer had no doubt made some
enemies by overturning old and obsolete
methods and adopting new ones, and these
enemies were placing the derogatory re-
ports in circulation.
Women Workers Alarmed.
A report from the printery today states
hat 49, <too Il1ra
women workers in the bindery and folding
room are in state of alarm because of
recent order Of the public printer detailing
Medical Inspector Manning to make an ex-
animation of their physical condition and
report the same to Mr.. Stillings upon his
return to the city. The older women en-
ployes believe this examination will mean
wholesale discharge OF those who are re-
ported to be unable to do full and fair
days work because of their age and feeble
ness.
1t is understood a report of this matter
has been made to Department Commander
Newton Ferree of the Grand Army of the
Republic, as many of the elderly women in
the printery are said to be the widows and
daughters of civil war veterans What ac-
tion, II any, the G. A. r. will take could
not be learned.
In the same connection 1t was reported
today that the price paid piece workers in
the folding rooms has been cut down,
making 1t almost impossible for the work
ers to earn a competency.
An order issued Saturday directs that
the employees of the office when addressing
each other shall use the pref1xes Mr.,
Mrs" or Miss" as the case may be- In
explanation the statement was made at the
printing office today that recently the pub
lie printer while passing through one of
the divisions heard an employe address one
Of the foremen as BILL" to which the fore
man responded using the expression "All
right, Tom. 1t was also said such has
believes the employees should be more re-
spectful In addressing one another, and es-
pecially the foremen and other officials
Hence the Mr. Mrs" and Miss order
of Saturday.