The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-17

Audit System. but my actions in all these
cases have been governed entirely by
what / believed TO be for the best inter
ests of the Office and without injustice
to other concerns or individuals.
Were Absolutely Necessary.
The expenditures for travel. while they
may appear excessive. yet were absolute
ly necessary in order that the more i'm
portant officials should by personal obser-
walton and inspection enlarge their own
knowledge OF the prevailing conditions in
the trade to-day. it can be readily seen
that men isolated for years in the city Of
Washington mot commercial center).
and with little or no incentive toward
marked Improvement in the handling of
work. would hardly be in condition to
appreciate the efforts OF the Public
Printer along those lines unless they
could see for themselves Just what was
being accomplished in commercial plants.
and thereby get more comprehensive
appreciation Of what would be proper and
correct for the Government Printing Of
fee. The purposes sought by sending Off
Gals on trips, including myself. have
practically been accomplished. and very
little. il any more expenditure in this
direction need be incurred, except for
some specific proposition not known at the
present time.
It is gratifying 20 note that the gen
eral attitude of the employees is not one
of complaint and fault finding. and 1
believe that TO be the general feeling
in the Office and have always believed
so, In a force OF employees aggregating
fully 1900 people. per cent. while rela-
lively small in itself, is very considera bic
when ii starts TO make noise, and 200
dissatisfied employees, with unlimited ca
pacity for complaining may very easily
give the impression of chaos. whereas
their complaining is only result of strict
administration. which has forced the in
efficient out and made way for better
conditions.
! do not desire TO be understood as be-
lieying that the committee aimed to make
as favorable a report toward mlsmanage-
ment as possible. but 10 me it appears
that there are many FONTS OF vital i'm
portance favorable 10 the present adj
ministratiOn of the Office which might
have. without Improperly, been brought
TO your attention.
The Public Printer needs the close and
earnest corporation of the Joint Com
mittee on Printing. and the laws govern
ing the public printing and binding need
careful. intelligent, and prompt revision;
the responsibilities devolving upon the
Public Printer, with the growth of the
Office since the act Of January - 1895.
have been so greatly increased that ii is
not for the best interests of the govern
ment that ne should be obliged to carry
such heavy responsibilities without pro-
lection.
Need OF Legislation.
There Is the most urgent necessity for
the securing Of legislation which will sur
round public printing and binding with
all reasonable safeguards and permit the
Public Printer to perform the duties
which are properly his with some degree
Of protection from misunderstanding and
unjust deductions. and from being placed
in a false position before the public
Your attention is respectfully called 10
the appended memorandum relative 10
Mr.. ROssiters report.
Respectfully submitted,
CHAS. A. STIIIINGS.
The President
No.