The Washington herald., 1908-04-05

PRECEDENT Roosevelt yesterday an
nounced his decision to appoint John s
I.eech to the Office of Public Printer. to
succeed Charles A. sulings. resigned.
Mr.. Leech was formerly employed in the
Government Printing Office in Washing
ton, bat since 1891 has been public printer
for the Philippine Islands. in Manila
The following is the official announce
ment given out at the White House.
The President will send to the Senate,
Monday. the name Of John S. Leech, of
Bloomington, H. as Public Printer. Mr.
Leech is at present the chief of the
bureau of public printing in the Philip
pines. having been promoted to that po-
sition on May %. 1901, from the Govern
ment Printing Office, where he was serv-
ing as foreman of a division.
Named as COmpositor.
He was appointed a compositor June
I, lSS9. and his designation changed 10
proofreader on June lS 1885 In April
isg7. he was promoted TO general fore
man. He was a member Of the Interna-
tional Typographical Union, and is at
present enrolled as an honorary member
Of that organization. He organized the
bureau OF public printing in the Philip
pines, and the Philippine Commission
speak IN the highest terms Of his eff
cheney. and urge his appointment. He is
about forty years or age. Senators Gull
ION and Hopkins join in indorsing him.
The appointment seems to give general
satisfaction 10 the leaders Of organized
'abor. with several Of whom a reporter
Tor The Washington Herald talked last
night.
The President decided upon the appoint
ment several DAYS ago. /; Is said the
selection was made on the reCommenda-
tiOn or Secretary OF War Taft who was
well acquainted with the work done by
Afr, Leech in the Philippine Islands. be-
ing under the observation Of the Secre-
;ary while the latter was governor there.
II is not known just when Mr.. Leech
viii leave for the United States. The
President is in no haste about a new man
taking charge Of the big printery. In
view OF the satisfactory service being
given by Capt Brian. Acting Public
Printer. In these circumstances, Mr..
Leech will probablx take plenty Of time
in closing uD his work in Manila.
born in Bloomington.
John s. Leech was born in Bloomington.
H., forty years ago His father and
mother continue 10 reside in that city
He received a common school education
and at the age Of fifteen years entered
a printing Office in Bloomington. where
ne served an apprenticeship at the case.
He then entered the Office OF the Bloom
iDgtOn Pantagraph. where he was en-
ployed as a eonIpositor. He then went
20 Chicago. where he worked as jour
neyman on leading dailies. He came TO
Washington shortly after the inaugura-
zion of President Harrison, in 1859. and
received an appointment in the Govern
ment Printing Office. and later was trans
ferTed to the ald Second division under
Foreman John L. Kennedy.
After working on piecework in the Third
division, Mr.. Leech was transferred TO
the night proofroom. as a prO0freadeT
and press Teviser.
Eleven years ago yesterday, Public
Printer Palmer appointed Mr.. Leech as
foreman of the fifth division Of the Gov
eminent Printing ONCE which was at
hat time the largest and most important
typographical division in the establish
ment.
NJ. Leech held the position Of foreman
OF the fifth division until September Is.
1901. Prior 10 that time the War Depart
ment, acting under the direction Of Gen
Clarence b. Edwards, chief of the insuIar
division, had decided to establish a print
Gg Office in the Philippines. Several can
didates for the position Of public printer
for the Philippines were presented for the
consideration of Gen. Edwards, but none
seemed to possess the requisite qualifi-
tations
Sent to the Philippines.
Oscar Ricketts, who was then private
secretary to Public Printer Palmer, sug-
gested to Mr.. Leech the advisabiity OF
The latter making application for the
auperintendency OF the Philippine printing
office. Mr.. Leech at first declined 70 con-
siier the proposition, but after a few
days. he concluded 20 allow his name to
he presented 20 Gen. Edwards, which was
done through the instrumentalltv of Mr.
Ricketts,. He obtained for Mr. Leech a
written recommendation from Gen. Frank
VI. Palmer. ne Public Printer Mr. Leeeh
was introduced to Gen. Edwards, who
after & few minutes talk offered Mr.
Leeeh the appointment He accepted. and
set out 10 arrange for the purchase of all
he material and plant necessary for the
conduct OF the Philippine printing office.
After spending about two months getting
the plant together and selecting a com
petent force for the Office which was
made up mainly by transfers from the
Government Printing once IN this city,
Mr.. Leech sailed from San Francisco for