The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-04-17
Calls Conference Here
To Consider Questions
Raised by Bureau.
REMOVALS SOUGHT
LAST SEPTEMBER
Former Employe Charged
Graft in Appeal to
Senator Watson.
By ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.


Alarmed by President Harding's
dismissals in the Bureau of En-
craving and Printing. other sum-
mary removals of civil service en-
ployes and reported plans Of the
administration to restrict operation
OF the merit rule generally. the Ma
donal Civil Service Reform League
mas called a conference of all in
terested organizations and individ-
uals to meet here April %.
The leagues announcement says
that the purpose OF the confer
ence Is to consider various ques-
tions involved in the administration
of the civil service laws which have
recently come to public attention"
The call for the conference was
signed by Acting President William
Dudley Foulke, who was a Civil
Service commissioner under Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
Clean-ost Long Planned.
The Bureau of Engraving affair
probably will come in for close
scrutiny by the conference. More
evidence is coming to light daily
OF the extensive campaign conduct
ed by the friends of the new direc-
tor. Louis A. Hill to oust wilmeth
and give the plum to Hill.
The aid of Senator Watson. Indi-
ana. in behalf of the plan was en-
listed last September by DR.. l. W.
Mckenzie. who formerly had been
employed in charge of the bureau
di~pcnsary and was seeking REIN
stGtemcnt.
After calling at the Senator's Of
f"e and leaving with his secretary
the details of the plan. Dr. McKen-
p" wrote Senator Watson under
ra'r Of September ,21 explaining
th { mis- request was not an un-
se'nSi one Mr.. Hill having ''ex-
pr =scd desire for my services In
tn event of his appointment"
charge. Graft and Waste.
Tcu undoubtedly are aware" he
wT'tc. that the Bureau Of EnErav-
sr and Printing is an accumulat-
ir ~torehouse of discomfort and
NJ T. The present director is sur
r. uIed and supported by a cabal-
s. faction of hsttering subordi-
nTr~~ who appropriate government
pr"~e:fy for personal use. waste
e. rrument funds and materials
AZ conduct a system of persecu-
Z: AGAINST certain honest and con-
- "rtjrUS workers, Graft. waste.
ia ,Titism and discrimination have
s. led over the bureau like a moral
D. 'ilence.
These things are practiced with
unlriUshinG effrontery. and the deep
seated corruption threatens to wreck
the plant. The brazen manner in
which some get away with petty
graft raises the question OF the con-
dition Of the vaults. where billions
In United States securities are stored.
Affldavits in support of these state
nents are in the hands of a promi-
nent lawyer in Washington"
These were the affidavits of
group Of discharged employees from
which Henry f. Davis. a Washing
submission to Treasury officials on
their behalf.
Under date Of November %. 1921.
Senator Watson replied:
II will be pleased to cooperate
with the Pennsylvania friends Of
Louis A. Hill. OF that State. who is a
candidate for appointment of Direc-
tor Of the Bureau Of Engraving and
Printing"
Conditions Found o. X.
NIIeF a Otldg ScIdlOT "
son called upon Mr.. Wadsworth again
to inquire if there had been any ac-
ton. only TO learn that the investi-
CATION had. unfortunately for his
candidate. disclosed a condition in
the bureau 100 per cent efficient, Of
fering no shadow OF an excuse for
the change
in the meantime Senator Watson
had been approached by Senator Len
root on behalf of John J. Deviny.
then superintendent Of work. the
candidate Of a considerable group of
employees who knew that a movement
was on foot to oust Wilmeth, and
who preferred Deviny to Hill.
senator Watson assured Lenroot
of his readiness to cooperate with
him, when, to their surprise. the ex-
ecutive order OF President Harding
was issued. decapitating Deviny as
we'll as Wilmeth-