Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-02-06

washington. Feb. 5.-President Roose.
welt today temporarily suspended as
public printer. Charles a. Stlllings and
appointed William S. Rosster temper
arily to All the duties of that office.
The action, as explained officially, Is
to facilitate the investigation now be-
ing made of the government printing
office by Congress. Mr.. Rossiter Is
now chief clerk of the census bureau.
LABOR UNION CHARGES.
Just as the presidents action In sus-
pending Public Printer Stillings was
being announced today committee of
labor leaders of this city, accompanied
by Representative Cary of Wisconsin,
called at the White House and present
ed to the president n resolution adop-
ed by the Central Labor union here,
charging Mr.. Stillings with violations
OF the eight-hour law in the govern
ment printing office, and added:
1T is difficult at this time to get
witnesses against Mr. Stillings for the
reason that many of them are en-
ployed in the government printing Of
flee and directly under his charge. We
hope, however, to follow up our oral
statement with affidavits If necessary"
The president informed the commit
tee Of the action he had already taken
I'm the case.
Resolutions by numerous labor organ
izations in various cities, charging vio-
lation in the government printing nj e
of the eight-hour day, discrimination
against veteran soldiers and the widows
of soldiers and violation of the civil
service law, have been submitted TO
Congress and the president
Mr. Stillings is from Boston, and was
appointed public printer in 1908, II
had been general manager of his
fathers printing firm In New York and
at various times manager of the print
ers' board of trade of this city and Of
New York. Mr.. Rossiter also came from
Massachusetts and had business CON
nections in New York and Washington
before assuming office in the census bu-
Seau in 1890.
OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
The following correspondence re'a.
tive to the change in the government
printing office today, was made publ
by the president; the first letter ad-
dressed to Chairman lends of tn
house committee on printing, signed
by the president:
The information you have given me
this morning is so important that I
written record hereof. | had already
begun some weeks ago AN investigation
into the government printing office UNI
der Mr.. Stillings; this investigation
originating because of information
which reached me as to the increased
cost of printing to the department. /
accordingly directed Mr.. Havenner Of
the department of commerce and labor,
TO investigate and report upon this
.Arltt &c nFf IN 70 fag n
severely condemnatory of Mr.. Stillings
l furnished Mr. Stllings with a copy
and requested an answer from him,
which l have not yet received.
II enclose you copy of Mr.. Haven
ner's report, and as soon as L receive
the answer / shall also forward that
to you for your inform ton AM will
let you know what action | have taken
on the report.
you now inform me that your com
mittee has discovered circumstances IN
connection with the printing office, no.
tably in connection with expenditures
for furniture in the printing office AMI
in the purchasa of Supplies. which make
you feel that there is great irregularlty
therein. You also inform me that You
believe that the present audit system
of the printing bureau serves to shel
these irregularities and that the per
sons in charge of this system exert an
undue and improper influence, not
merely on the purchase of supplies 10.
the government printing office, but /
the management Of the office itself
You also say that the sub-committe
feels that II cannot make n ctorv
investigation of the office while Mr.
Sullings and the persons in charge OF
the audit system are IN the office, and
request that l suspend Mr.. Sitting
pending investigation, and also shat
suspend execution OF the contract mad
under the audit system.
II have accordingly temporarily sus-
pended Mr.. Stillings and shah put MT
Rossiter I'm his place, directing him t.
cooperate in every way with your com
mttee, and furthermore, to make a.
exhaustive report to me on the condi
lions In the office"
The letter to Nj. stnlings from the
president reads:
''The enclosed copies OF letters to
Congressman Lands ana Mr.. Rossiter
explain themselves.
In accordance herewith, pending
the Investigation, / hereby temporarily
suspend you from the duties Of you"
Office, and have appointed Mr. William
S, Rosslter temporarily to MI the du-
ties thereof"
The letter to Mr. Rooster reads:
THE enclosed COPY Of letter to Con-
gresham Lands explains Itself l.
accordance Herewith you VIII assum
immediate charge Of the government
printing office Please place yourself In
communication with Congressman Ian
dis and afford him ova facility for
obtaining the Information hi onmi e
tee desires In tine investigation Ynu
VIII also report 90 me iu fun AIS soon
ns practicable 0u rha oor itlor - mr.
fairs at the office as YOU have found