Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-04-04
BUREAU SHAKE UP
IS EXPLAINED BY
TREASURY CHIEF
Department of Engraving
and Printing Being Reor-
ganiCed on an efficient"
Basis, Says Mellon.

Washington, April 3.-Reorgani-
cation of the bureau of engraving
and printing through the executive
order issued last Friday by Presi-
dent Harding, removing James l..
Wilmeth, its director. and twenty
eight other officials, was explained
today on the grounds of "efficien-
.ey" by Secretary Mellon. No
charges involving the honesty of
any of the dismissed bureau Off.
Gals have been filed, the treasury
secretary stated.
Mr.. Melons explanation of the
sweeping changes made in the ad-
ministrative personnel OF the bu-
reau was the first official light
thrown upon the presidents action
since the announcement of the or
der at the White House. Mean
while speculation has been rife in
official circles over the sudden re-
moval of the officials and resolu-
tons were introduced in both the
senate and house today seeking to
elicit further information from the
president.
SobAitrS
Senator Caraway, democrat, Ar
kansas. Introduced resolution
calling upon President Harding to
inform the senate, If not incompati-
BILE with the public interests, as to
the causes leading to the changes
in the bureau and under what au-
thority Of law the changes were
made. Representative Moore, dem
ocrat Virginia, at the same time
resolution for the APP
pointment of special house COM
mittee to investigate the changes.
Efforts to obtain a personal eX-
PLANTATION of their dismissal was
made by Mr.. Wilmeth and a dele
cation of former bureau officials
who called at the White House, but
without appointment, and therefore
failed to see the president, who was
solting. They left a memorandum
stating the object of their visit and
they would return any
time Mr.. Harding could see them,
declaring they wanted to know why
they were discharged and to have
the opportunity Of meeting any
charges which might have been
made and knowing who preferred
them. They asserted they were at
n complete loss to know why they
were discharged.
Reorganization of the bureau
heads, according to Secretary Mel
Ion, came as elimination of a
of Investigations into the
operation of the plant following
as to the efficiency of
It's operation. The seeming abrupt
ness of the change he explained by
the uneXpectedness of the an
nouncement, although he recalled
sudden changes in official
positions during the Mckinley ad-
Several Probes Made.
Assistant Secretary of the Treas
ury Wadsw crtn. air. Mellon said,
made a number of investigations
Of the bureau, as did other treas
ury officials. while Director of the
Budget Dawes brought A. r.
Barnes on from Chicago to look
into the efficiency of the output Of
he plant. Mr.. Barnes, he declared,
was the proprietor of an engraving
establishment somewhat approach
ing the magnitude of the govern
ment plant ana was cohsioereu al
expert on tine SUBJECT. ,.
These various lhVestlgatiois
made from Tune TO time' Mr.; Mel
on continued, disclosed conultloLs
n the bureau Warrahtlh" tle
changes. waste was louhu, ne
said, losses TO the government run
ming into large sums because OF
sheets of paper BENG spoiled IN the
new presses, lack or modern meth
DDS for keeping plates ana other
unsatisfactory conditions.
Reports or these Investigations
we're made, he added, ana II was
hought that LOUIS a. Hi, tie new
was the approprlate man