The Washington herald., 1908-01-23

Public Printer Charles A. StIings has
during his term Of office as head Of the
Government Printing Office. discharged a
large number of employees.
Although Mr. Sullings said that he dis
charged these employees for the most part
because they were not considered airle to
do the work, it is almost certain that
many Of the employees were suspended or
discharged because the executive order
issued by the President after Mr., SdllinSs
assumed office directed the heads of the
departments 20 curtajI the amounts Of
their printing bills
In one instance. it il alleged. ar Still
lings, when be discharged men because
he said that lie had no work for them
failed 10 md out that he still had money
TO keep men working for some time after
he discharged them.
About the first Of May, 1897, Mr. STU
liugs, or some Of his employees. dis
charged about a dozen employees OF the
government who were working at the
Library Of Congress on Government
Printing Office work.
StiIIings Gave Reason.
As even Mr.. Suumgs would have
trouble discharging men connected with
the government under civil service, he
had 20 give "a reason for this act. It is
alleged that he gave the reason for these
particular discharges as that Of no work
But d few days later il is alleged IL
was found that the Library Of Congress
stll had about $3.50 TO spend I'm printing
under the appropriation. None of the
employees was taken back, however IL
is said. and Mr.. SuIIings. OF whoever dis
covered this mistake, made 10 comment
upon IT,
The employees naturally We're somewhat
taken back when they were put out OF
work by the Public Printer. but they con-
sideTed al nrst that il there was n0 work
there could not Doe SO much blame at
t8cEed for au act which even the Public
Printer. evidently, could not prevent
When, as is alleged, il was discovered
that there was s-llI enough money DO the
Library Of Congress appropriation 10
keep all the discharged employees for some
time, some Of them felt that there was
something radically wrong about the
manner I'm which the Public Printer or
The Audit System keeps its books 81 the
Government Printing Ofiee
Question the bookkeeping.
OF course. mos. Of them, no doubt, rea-
lie that the Public Printer, who is quail
fed "a take care of more than S5,glg et5
each year. can't bother his head about
a few employees. or about keeping In mind
how much any one branch of the gov
eminent may have 70 spend.
But when The Audit System is remem-
bered. the system that was put in the
Government Printing OH.ce 10 insteH "a
suitable cost system, IL is felt that there
should have been a more exact knowledge
Of the money yer 90 be spent before en-
plOyes who had been connected with the
government service SO long were dis
charged
Some Of the discharged employees have
considered presenting ibis instance 20 the
Civil Service Commission. but have re-
Trained because tley were not certain
that any good would result Jherefrom
Several Of them. however, feel that Mr.
Suuiugs, 20 speak mildly, did not act
fairly with the men who had worked for
the government SO long when DE dis
charged them when there was stilI quite
a large amount of work 10 be done and
there was stiu money TO be spent thereon.