The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-06
Get out the work.

6ullings has failed.
Convinced that there was something
radically wrong with the conduct of the
Government Printing Office The Wash
Ington Herald started its own investiga-
ton about six weeks ago. From that
date, almost continuously, to yesterday
The Washington Herald has printed
stories, which, ii not showing any illegiti-
mate connection between Stillings and
the various supply companies have ar
least tended TO show his incOmpetenCy as
Public Printer
Sunines has already been termed ''im-
possible as a Public Printer. When
speaking 10 "a reporter for Tie Washing
ton Herald. during the last week in De
cerber of last year, Sullings said that
II members of Congress and the depart
ment officials We're not satisfied with his
work they could Dust him from power
Il has been done
Was 10 Change Conditions.
StnIiugs told the reporter that he was
put in the Government Printing Office To
wipe ont the conditions existing before
his day. lie said that he had done SO,
and that he had not only done so, but
that he had cut down expenditures for
the government by about $4,000 the first
year Of his incumbency, and would cut
them down about $4,000 this year just
passed.
The Washington Herald has shown that
Sulliugs did not cut down the eXpen-
dlturss during his first year nor could
he have cut those expenditures down dur
ing the year just passed.
Sullings, in fact increased the exper-
ditures of his office, as was shown in
The Washington Herald. lie increased
the number of his executive officers 50
that the pay roll OF this portion or the
Government Printing Office employees now
amounts to almost S500,00J a year, whereas
previously it amounted to but about SSS,-
COO each year
Stulings installed Tile Audit System.
The Audit System, he said, was 20 help
him In the reorganization of the print
cry. lie entered into contraC- With
that concern 10 install and instruct in
"a cost, audit, and inventory system -
having found, he told the reporter. that
He paid The Audit System about $3.50
week to do his work. Tie Audit Sys-
TEN, as The Washington Herald has
shown, has succeeded in euCircliug the
hands OF the thousands Of employees Of
the Government Printing Office in miles
and miles of red tape
What Audit System Did.
The Audit System has. under SulIngs.
with or without his knowledge. installed
many devices which are patented and
which necessarily form "a sort of per
petual lien against the printery. These
patented devices consist OF binders,
loose leaves. jackets, &c. The Audit
System has not only supplied these
things, but Stinings has, over his own
signature. signed contracts for other
supplies. such as cabinets. chairs. oil
rubber betting. mats, &c, with some Of
the concerns closely related to The Audit
System.
The Washington Herald has shown that
Stnlings has practically allowed The
Audit System 10 usUTp the powers Of
the Public Printer OF that If he had not
done this he had become strangely blind
TO what was going on under his very
nose.
The Washington Herald has shown that
Sulliugs has introduced a spirit of I'M
rest and discomfort which. if il can be
based upon a possibly good discipline
which il cannOt-has proved to be detri-
mental 90 the best interests of the gov
eminent service
The Washington Herald has shown that
on numerous occasions Stllings has
signed contractor at least has signed
notices of awards of coutracts-fOr COM
parat.vely large amounts 10 The Audit
System.
The Herald Had Facts.
In addition to these facts, The Washing
ton Herald has shown that SulHngs has
refused, practically. TO pay any attention
to reputable business men OF Washington
who desired TO obtain information con
corning the specifications for supplies
which they desired to furnish the Govern
ment Printing Office.
on one occasion, which The Washing
ton Herald has mentioned. Sdllings told
an inquriug business man of this city
that he could make contracts with whom
Sewer he d. pleased. StilIings. as this
paper has stated. has told certain bidders
10 go to Raynor-the vice president o.
The Audit System-for information con
corning bids.
SuIIngs has installed The Audit Sys-
tenn, which pays no rent, no light bills.
no telephone bills. no bills for anything
which the government furnishes. in adj
dItion 10 the $3.50 a week It gives thai
system for winding red tape. The Wash
iugton Herald was told by Sulings that
this system was installed because he
needed such a system in his business.
But The Audit System, apparently in
stalled for such legitimate purposes. has
gone further. The Washington Herald
has shown that this company. evidently
an accounting concern, has from its Of
hces i'm the Government Printing Office
or its office in the Munsey Building sub
mitted many bids for supplies for the
Government Printing Office
Did RaynOr OF The Audit System. down
in the Government Printing Office, 10
whom several idders were referred, ever
see the ids of other concerns? Who
lnOWs2
Time Not Necessary.
Sullings notified another Washington
hrm. as has been shown in The Wash
ington Herald that he had not Inserted
the time for the public opening of bids on
a certain contract, because it was not
necessary, What other department of the
government does not open bids publicly?
StIlings has as this paper has shown,
told bidders in effect that they could get
no redress nor could they get "A recon-
sidcration of thair bids in case The
Audit System or some other concern had
beaten them out.
sullings. in notifying certain bidders of
the fact that their bids had not heen sue
ceSstul in certain instances. did not take
the trouble TO tell the unsuccessful party
who else bid, the class on which the bids
were made. or who any nvcent the win