The Washington times., 1908-03-17
PRINTERY WITHOUT CHIEF;
SUCCESSOR TO STILLINGS
NOT NAMED BY PRESIDENT
Rossiter Report Shows Many Irregularities Since Con-
nection With the Audit System-ExTavagance
Pointed Out in Many Instances.

| Tbs Government Printing Oaice IS to
| day without a permanent head, the
| President having accepted the resigna-
| ton OF Charles A. Stillings yesterday
| afternoon, following a service Of TWEEN
/ ty-eight months. without naming sue
cessor.
| The administration Of the Government
4 Printing ONCE by Mr., Stillings is round
/ ly scored from several standpoints in
| the report Of William S TOssiter, which
| was made public at the same time the
! announcement of the resignation was
made.
II is shown that the Office IS facing
a deficit for the present fiscal year Of
approximately $500. coo. due primarily 81
is claimed, to mismanagement and eX-
| travagance in administration.
It is also shown that the Audit Sys-
TEN Supply was favored party in the
matter of purchasing supplies and
many questionable transactions in this
connection are pointed out
Expenditures Criticised.
Large expenditures for junkets are
shown, and adversely criticised, excur-
sIons to Newport and other like re-
sorts in the summer time being spe-
cihcally mentioned
Nothing is brought out in the report
indicating moral terpitude on the part
OF the former Public Printer, bat at
tention Is directed in particular 10 the
improperly Of purchases from The
Audit System, inviting consideration OF
the penal provision Of section 81 OF the
printing act
The Rossiter report has been turned
over TO Mr.. Lands for the use of his
committee III making further investiga-
ton into affairs 1t the Printing once.
It is also said that the original inyes-
tieation made by DR.. George G. Hay-
enner into the cost Of printing has been
turned over to Air. Lands to be printed
and given TO the public
Operations of Audit System.
The investigation conducted Dy Mr..
RossIter have been directed principally
al the operation of The Audit system,
and bears down on its transactions and
power at the Office with great force
over and above all questions is the
general question Ct axe propriety OF
sales, or even participation IN c0mpeu-
ton. by The Audit System, while in the
Printing Office in a professional ca
uacity" says the report ''Official pro-
9-icty should alone have prevented the
5ubIc Printer from toleraJing bid BY.
or a purchase from, this concern. or any
allied concern It IS obvious that any
uolicv other than absolute separation
from ali supply matters opened 10 SuS-
uiciUn every commentator made Dy
The Audit System, and IN that way
vitiated much that was done. which
otherwise might have Deen accepted as
efr
ing for purchases from The AUDIT Sys-
tenn was suspected OF having been made
solely for purposes OF self-interest.
Even II the sellers OF the material
recommended. they would be and were
SUSPECTED OF taking a commission from
the manufacturer There are numerous
instances of recommendation Dy ~.
Rayuor Of various devices, followed py
immediate orders 20 the manufacturer
Passed on Own Bids.
'As a matter Of fact, IN many cases,
MI Raynor, systematizer in charge,
practically gave the order himself 10
Mr.. Raynor tobber. and in many other
cases he passed upon the bids OF manu-
facturers while himself a bidder The
moral effect of this practice was IN
fortunate. 1t added 10 the general un-
rest. Fcremen slate that they ordered
material as often as Mr.. Raynor direct
"a. knowing that 10 be the EuDlc
Printers wish This invi4ed some IT.
regularities. but / find no evidence
| whatever Of actual imprOprieties on the
part Of the Government employees; Inc
| T5UrCbs sing agent states that, although
! presumably 1t was his duty 70 deal win
! bidders. information regarding detalls
OF material was frequently given instead
by Mr.. RaynOr to inqulrers VINO cdlied
/ for specifications
/ The report recites that three contracts
were executed by the Public Printer
with the Audit System. The first one
provided for the payment by the Gov
/ arnroant 81 IA COO for the installation
| OF the Cost-accounting system Inc
| second was dated April 10. 1907, ana Gov
J cred the taking of an Inventory or Lhe
! the nayment of 81 go per week. These
! contracts ran until June 80. 1884, ana
/ liabilities Of S4S.350 were incurred