The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-04
DIRECTOR SULLIVAN
PNEUMONIA VICTIM
Was Head of the Bureau
Of Engraving and
Printing.

Thomas J. Sullivan. director OF the
Bureau OF Engraving and Printing. died
at II o'clock this morning. at his resi-
dence, 1923 L street northwest, Of pneu-
mOnia. following an illness Of less than
a week
Mr.. Sullivan was IN the sixty-thIrd
year Of his age and had been con-
nected with the Bureau Of Engraving
ana Printing for forty years, serving
under every director Of the bureau.
lie was made director June /. 1906.
succeeding William NJ Meredith.
MI Sullivan left his Office Tuesday
feeling badly from the effects of a cold.
but his condition was thought 10 be
better the latter part Of the week. and
no Tear was entertained for his recOv-
cry IL was fully expected at the bu-
reau that he would be able 10 resume
his duties this morning.
Also Had Heart Trouble.
The cold took a sudden turn for the
worse and pneumonia rapidly develop
ed, from which his death resulted this
morning. 1t is also thought that heart
trouble served to complicate the dis
ease and hasten his death
Mr.. Sullivan was regarded as an e.
ficient head OF the establishment over
was received with much regret by the
officials and employee Of the bureau
When Former Director William NJ.
Meredith resigned his position in 1906
Mr.. Sullivan. who was then assistant
director. was selected as his successor
April J., taking the oath Of office July
!, 1906. He was born in the District
and has lived here oil his life.
No Funeral Arrangements.
Mr.. Sullivan is survived bv his widow
Mrs. Mary Catherine Sullivan; three
sons. Thomas V, a chemist. located at
Kansas City. Kan; Joseph d. an at
torney OF this city: Francis l., a local
architect. and one daughter. Miss Mary,
who resides at home.
He belonged to the St. Vincent de
Paul Society, and the Gaelic Society,
OF Washington.
The funeral arrangements have not
been perfected. but the services will
probably be held from St. Pauls CathO-
lie Church, Wednesday, and the burial
at Mt Olivet- The arrangements for
the funeral viii be held open pending q
telegram from Thomas V. Sullivan, in
Kansas City.
Joseph Z. Ralph. assistant director.
has ordered the flag OF the bureau to
be placed al half mast. and will also
preside at a meeting of the chiefs of
divisions that will be held this after
noon TO take suitable action on the
death OF Director sullivan.
Began Career in Banking House.
Mr.. Sullivan won his promotion 10 the
responsible position Of Director of the
Bureau Of Engraving and Printing en-
tirely upon merit, as there was strong
political pressure for other candidates
at the time OF his appointment. He was
educated in the public and private
schools OF this city. He subsequently
attended the law school OF Georgetown
University and received the bachelors
and the masters degree in law from
that university.
AT an early age he started his busi-
ness career with the old-time banking
He entered the service Of the Bureau OF
Engraving and Printing, December /.
1868, as an expert in accounts. He was
promoted rapidly, through the several
grades and was made principal account
ant In October, 1872, and assistant chief
OF the Bureau Of Engraving and Print
ing in March, 1852. The title Of the office
being changed in 1896, he was reappoint-
ed assistant director of the bureau July
/. of that year.
Upon entering the service. Mr. Sulli-
van devoted himself TO the systematIz-
ing OF the methods and forms in use in
the business of the bureau. and form
ulated rules and regulations to prevent
the loss 10 the employees and the Gov
ernment Of the valuable securities han
died in the bureau.