The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-17
PLATE PR|TERS AIR
TROUBLE WITH RALPH
Grievances, Along Line Of Petty
Complaints, Filed With
House Committee.
CONTINUED from First PageO


New York. william Holder. intrrna-
tional president of the Plate Printers
Union, was among the witnesses who
complained against Mr.. Rnlph's alleged
activities.
"They are even using some OF the old
blankets that came frcm the Bureau
OF Engraving and Printing" said Mr..
Holder, referring to the Cuban plant.
which. he said. would become a rival OF
American industry Ia the business of
printing currency for foreign nations.
including China.
Several plateprinters were allowed
to go down to Cuba by Mr.. Ralph.
Foster controls whether they shall be
taken back at the bureau here II they
become dissatisfied down there. Foster
said that at any time he wanted any
parts OF machinery or any advice about
running his plant he could cable to Mr..
Ralph and get what he wanted"
l.. Quesada. who said he was cousin
ONT the former Cuban minister by that
name, and the present CUBAN minister
to this country. told the committee he
was after the position Mr.. Foster
landed.
Mr.. ouesada said that when the
plant was dedicated about four years
ago, Mr.. Ralph went down and WIS
congratulated at q banquet for the
aid he had rendered. -
Walter b. Melbrook, New York en-
that Mr.. Ralph had been negotiating
with Chile capitalists for teh establish
ment of an engraving plant In Chile.
"He told me.that II Mr.. Ralph didn't
take the JOB as superintendent he was
Mr.. Meibrook. who worked in the
Cuban plant, ssaid Mr.. Ralph stayed
there a whole month In 1912.
HE seemed to assume the part OF an
overseer rather than visitor said
Melbrook.
What relation has the Cuban gov
eminent with this plant?" asked
Chairman Webb.
1T has a private contract with it."
DO you think there IL any harm
In man aiding In the establishment
editor OF the Plate Printer was asked
by Mr.. Williams OF IlliDoiF.
Mr.. Ryan said the plate printer:
payroll should aid foreign concerns that
will compete with American workmen
and take their means of earning a live
lihood away. 1t Is unfair, he said. that
any Government employe should aid
chaep foretign labor TO underbid Ameri-
can industry. although plate printers
from the Bureau of Printing and En-
craving have been teaching the Cubans
how to snake currency and bank notes;
nesses all of whom testified along SINH
lar lines, that George p. Foster, William
McNulty. James Butler. Patrick Rooney
and ]. Crocker, all printers at the Du-
reau here. had gone to Cuba, and that
| they were afterward allowed to take
| their jobs back by Mr.. Ralph-exceptine
Mr.. Foster. who didn't intend to come
back.
NJ ]. Holmes, a New York engraver
said ne had roomed with McNulty. who
had taken to Cuba parts Of machinery
sin liar to those used in the bureau ir
this city.
John ]. Quincy, OF New York; Mr.
Ryan, and other witnesses stoutl/ ad
vocated legislation that will prohibit
any Government employe from leaving
his employment temporarily to aid q
foreign corporation. Mr.. Ryan suggest
ed that Mr.. Ralph be summoned before
the committee to tell his side of thu
story and submit to REORGANIZATION
Chairman Webb said the committe,
would take this under consideration.