Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-04
efficiency" Reason
for Removal Officers
in Bureau Engraving

eaton or the bureau OF engraving
! and printing through the executive
order issued last Friday by President
Harding removing James L. Will
meth, its director, and IS other Off
Gals was explained today on the
grounds of efficiency" by Secretary
| Mellon. No charges involving the
honesty of any Of the dismissed bur-
eau officials have been filed. the
treasury secretary stated.
Mr.. Melons explanation of the
sweeping changes made in the ad-
minstrative personnel of the bureau
! was the first official light thrown
upon the Presidents action, since
the announcement of the order at the
White House. Meanwhile, specula-
ton has been rife in official circles
! over the sudden removal of the Of
| ficials and resolutions were introduce
cd in both the Senate and House to-
, day seeking to elicit further inform
alton from the President.
Senator Caraway, Democrat, Ar
kansas, introduced a resolution call
ing upon Presiden, Harding to in
form the Senate, if not incompatible
with the public interest, as to causes
for the action taken in the bureau
and under what authority of law the
changes were made. Representative
Moore, Democrat, Virginia, at the
same time introduced a resolution
for the appointment Of a special
House committee to investigate the
changes.
, Efforts to obtain a personal ex-
PLANTATION for their dismissal were
made by Mr.. Wilrneth and a delega-
ton of former bureau officials which
called at the White House, but with
out appointment, and therefore
failed to see the President who was
golfing. They left a memorandum
stating the object Of their visit and
indicated they would return any
any time Mr.. Harding would 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 rretcrred them.
They asserted they We're at a COM
plcte loss to know why they were
discharged.
reorganization OF the bureau
heads, according to Secretary Mellon
came as a elimination of number Of
investigations into the operation of
the plant following complaints as to
the efficiency of It's operation. The
seeming abruptness Of the change, he
explained by the unexpected necessity
Of the announcement although he re-
called similar sudden changes in Of
fetal positions during the Mckinley.
administration. .
Assistant Secretary of, Treasury
Wadsworth, Mr.. Mellon said made a
number Of Investigations of the hu-
rcau as did other treasury officials
while Director of the Budget Dawes
brought A. r. Barnes on from Chi
cago to look into the efficiency of the
output of the plant. Mr.. Barnes. he
declared, was the proprietor of an en-
craving Establishment somewhat ap-
preaching the magnitude of the gov
eminent plant and was considered an
expert on the subject.
The various Investigations made
from time to time. Mr.. Mellon said,
disclosed conditions in the bureau
warranting the changes. Waste was
found, he said, losses to the govern
ment running into large sums be-
cause Of sheets of paper being spoiled
in the new presses, lack Of up-to-date
methods for keeping plates and other
unsatisfactory conditions.
Nothing was now pending in the bu-
reau, Mr.. Mellon stated, involving the
honesty Of any group of former en-
ploes and there was nothing pointing
to any individual. He said that while
the politics of the former officials
were known in q general way, in real
itv most Of the employees Of the bu-
reau could be said to have no politics
as they had no vote.