New-York tribune., 1908-02-06
STILLINGS IS REMOVED
pTRLIC PRINTER OUSTED.
Action Tahen by the President
Likelu To Be Permanent.
yFron the Tribune Bureau. J

Washington, Feb. Sin ordering the susPeh-
sion of the Public Printer Charles A. Stffngs'
to- day. pending thorough inquiry into the al
fairs Of his Office the President brings TO an end
another troublous chapter in the history OF a
much stirred up bureau. 1t is not believed that
Mr. Stings will ever return to his place at the
head OF the government printing office, and 1t Is
predicted that William S Rossiter. who has been
appointed temporarily to ill the vacancy will be
made permanent chief of the biggest printshop
in the world after the investigation now being
conducted by the House is concluded
The President decided to suspend Mr.. Stiliings
after holding a conference with Representative
Landis OF Indiana, chairman Of the House sub
committee printing. during which the latter
told him that satisfactory investigation OF the
printing office was out Of the question as long as
Mr. Stillings remained in charge and could in
timidate employees into withholding information
upon fear of dismissal or reduction of pay. Mr.
Lands is said to have concluded his estimate of
the Public Printer by asserting that in his opin-
ion Mr. Stillings Impossible from every
point of view
Mr Rossiter who now is chief clerk OF the
census Office, said to-day that he accepted the
office with reluctance. and hoped that ne
would not be chosen for the place permanently"
meaning probably that he fears he Will. If ap-
pointed, find himself in the same sort OF turmoil
that has befaen his predecessors. Mr.. Palmer
who preceded Mr.. Stillings, in hot water all
during his term Of Office.
Ever since Mr. Stillings has been in charge
he has been in the midst of battle. The labor
organizations early camped on his trail because
he substituted various kinds of labor saving
machinery for hand work in the typesettlng and
bindery departments, and throughout the
length and breadth of the big printery he
made himself unpopular by the so-called Gar
like orders he issued for the personal deport-
ment of the great army of employees When
he left Office to-day there was barely a branch
In the whole esta blishment that he had not reor
sanized. He had reformed everything from the
binding of books to the setting of type from
the wearing of hats in the elevators to the
abolition of mirrors in the women's toilet
rooms.
Last summer, when charges were preferred
against Mr.. Stiliiugs. ne was exonerated by
the President. but at that time there was not
as complete an investigation is now being
conducted. a few weeks ago the President,
acting Independently of the Congressional in
vestigators, assigned DIR. George Havenner,
printing expert of the Department of Commerce
and Labor to make an inquiry into Mr.. still
ngs-s work. The Havenner report, which is
now in the Presidents hands shows that under
Mr.. Stillinss the conduct of the bureau has
increased more than 100 per cent in cost.
Correspondence relative 10 the change in the
office was made public hv the President The
following letter. addressed TO Chairman Lands,
is signed by the President:
n; is so Important that deem it best that there
baeln some weeks ago an Investigation into the
government Printing ONCE under Mr. stillings.
os ths Wic cached me as to the increased cost Of
printing 70 the FS Of dTeefe
and Labor. to investigate and report pon this mat
tory Of Mr stilnga / furnished ar. stillings with
and requested an answer rom gn him & which q
Mr. Havenner's report. and as soon as / receive
,oT,r rnT Information. aud will let you know what
action have taken on the report.
ooqe aoT "resnces In connection With the prinf
ing IN n 9h prnnr w'e o se snS b
purchase Of suppes-which makes you feel that
there a is Ten the ut
Of the printing bureau serves to sneld these irregq-
audit system exert an, undue and improper in
0 sfeB 1n me but e a be fH[
agenent of the office itself. You also say that the
lGsls 'o of the oeS Mr. s
ines and the persons In charge & Of the audit system
StIines pending investigation and also suspend
the execution OF the contract made under the audit
sSS'Tn, have accordingly temporarily suspended Mr.
SactIn hm nm To- co-operae in every way With Your
cnmrnittee and, Furthermore. 10 make an eX-
haustye report to OH conditions In the Office.
The letter to Mr. stings from the President
reads:
The inclosed copy OF lettes TO Congressman Ian
dis and Mr.. Rossiter explain themselves. In ac
cordance therewith. pending tine investigation
hereby temporarily suspend you Irom the duties of
your office. have appointed Mr.. William s.
Rosster temporarily to I'LL the duties thereof.
The letter to Mr. Rossiter reads
The nclosed copy of letter to Congressman Lands
explains itself. In accordance therewth you viii
assume Immediate charge the Government Print
Ing Office. Please place Yourself IL communication
with C0rgessInar Lands and angId him every
facility nor obtaining the lnfornation his conn
mittee desires In their investigation You will also