Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-25
Rossiter Report on G. P. o. AT.
fairs Expected Soon. i
Lands SEES PRESIDENT
Representative Believes Stillings Il
Out to Stay.
TAFT STRONG IN NEW YORK
Francis B. Loomis Says tho Score.
tary Is Gaining-Cabinet Session
Cut Short by Funeral

Government printing once affairs should
come to a head at the White House by the
last of this week or the first OF next IL
the general report of w. s. Rossiter
reaches the President tomorrow or next
day. as is expected. The President will
give the report careful consideration. Will
confer with Mr.. Rossiter personally and
will shortly sfterward announce whether
Charles A. Sullings Is to return TO the
position from which he is at present sus-
pended or whether he must give way to
a new man. whose name will probably be
announced at the same time in the event
OF the latter decision.
Representative Landis whose irvestiga-
tons of the audit system resulted In
bringing an inquiry by the President
as TO the business OF the great govern.
ment printing establishment. called on tho
President today. He reiterated a pre-
viously expressed opinion that ne did not
think the President would restore Mr.
Stillings to his ONCE, but declared that he
fill the vacancy.
Praise for Rossiter.
mfr. Rossiter,' he said. has impressed
the printing commission Of Congress-. fie
has demonstrated that he 10 a man Of
administrative ability and that he has the
capacity to easily handle the printing Of
flee. I am confident that he deserves q
bigger place than chief clerk Of the CEN
sus bureau, but I am told that ne Is not
a candidate for public printer and ie quite
unconcerned whether II is offered TO him."
Does he come within the requirements
of the law?'
THE law says that the appointee shall
be a. practical printer but it is not my
opinion that this means that flc shall be
able 10 go 10 q compOsitorS case and set
type. That is the construction placed
upon 1t by some, however. A decision Of
this point is in the hands OF the rrcsi-
dent. and j have no doubt that he will
settle it satisfactorily"
1t is pretty well known that the Presi.
dent has q high opinion Of Mr.. Rossiter
and will make him public printer IL the
law does not interfere. There has an
parently never been q legal decision as
to the exact meaning OF the law, and it
President to ask the controller Of the
Treasury for decision as to whether
the salary of the ONCE could be paid
to other than a man who is literally a
printer.
Has Much Experience.
Mr.. Lands called attention 70 the
fact that as chief clerk OF the census
bureau Mr.. Rossiter has had g:eat ex-
perience in the printing line. and is
except one who has passed through the
experiences OF actual work. The law
also says that the appointAe must be
versed in book binding" Mr.. Rossiter.
1t Is said, would have little difficulty in
complying with the book binding re-
quirements of the law.
Should Mr.. Rossiter be determined To
be outside the limits Of the Law. the Presi-
who are being pressed for the Office At
the head Of these is William b. Turner.
printing clerk of the Senate. He Is heavily
and heartily backed by senators ana
representatives. lie would stand well
at the White House. Not much talked OF.
but strong man is Acting Public Printer
Brian. He is personally and favoraby
known to the President and Secretary
Loeb He knows every detail Of the
big office and has administrative capabiIi-
ties that are widely recognized. Through
strict merit he has risen higher and higher
in the office. despite factional disturbances
in several administrations.
He has held aloof from animositics ana
chques. and his appointment would be
generally regarded as a tribute to fine
qualities and in line with civil service
Ideas. Oscar Ricketts, formerly a high
official Of the Office under the Palmer
for the Office if the field 10 open. He
has hundreds Of warm friends In Congress
and they have quietly urged his selection
at the White House.
Taft in New York.
Francis B. Loomis, former assistant
secretary Of state and a frequent White
House caller. declared today that Secre-
tary Taft is growing fast in the esteem
OF eastern republicans. Il have been
down in the financial districts OF New
York number Of times In the last few
months, and am conscious Of a great
change in the sentiment OF the men
there. In fact, 1t Is surprising to me.
! don't know the cause. but I do know
that there Is much change. These people
do not any longer regard Secretary Taft
as dangerous to the business interests
of the country"
Senator Smith of Michigan introduced
to the President today a party Of nine
the auspices OF a large agricultural pub
LEGATION Of that state. They were chosen
in a voting contest
The President talked for ten or fifteen
minutes with the boys. asking about each
one. He gave particular attention to Emil
Brissette, a Seventeen-year.old boy who
a year ago took seventh prize at Reading
for ski jumping. having covered 90 feet.
The President complfmented him upon his
athletic prowesS and Skill.
A half dozen congressman with friends
paid their respects. among them being
Senator Carter Of Montana, Senator Tai
iaferro Of Florida, Representatives Burton
of Ohio, Murdoch of Kansas and Madden
Of Kansas.
Short Cabinet Session.
The President cut short the regular
cabinet meeting today that he might get
ready TO attend the funeral Of Bishop
Satterlee at o'clock. At 4 o'clock in the
afternoon the President touched a button
that opened to traffic the great McAdoo
tunnel under the Hudson river. between
Jersey and New York. Tonight he will
be a CUES: os Secretary Wilson At the an
nuaI cabinet dinner of the Secretary 10
his colleagues of the cabinet.
CLERKS RETIREMENT