Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-04-03
MONDAY. APRIL 3. 1922.

IN violating the spirit, II not the letter, of
the civil service law in summarily dis
charging, without warning or hearing, more
than thirty executive officials of the Bureau
OF Engraving and Printing, the President
and his advisers invited the storm of protest
wh.sh is raging about their heads They
have given thoughtful men everywhere rea-
son for believing that the motives which
prompted this ruthless action are no. only
unworthy, but indefensble.
The feeling will not down that in sweep
Ing clean the whole executive staff OF prob
ably. the largest of the bureaus in Washing
ton and IN doing it under such unusual cir
cumstances, the administration is playing
politics OF the most partisan sort. The men
removed were in every case appointees OF
the late administration and in almost every
case the men appointed TO fill the vacancies
are Republicans. These facts cannot fail
20 be significant
1t must be admitted. OF course, that The Re-
publican administration has the RICH. TO re-
place Democratic of7cehoide-s with Repub-
Hcsn a0po!n;ees. where the Offices involved
are still under the spells system. and since
Director WlEeth. OF the Engraving Bureau
was political appointee, the President n lay
nave been justified IN removing him even
without notice. But practically all of the
ether thirty men discharged were civil serv-
lee ofhc.als and as such they were entitled
aIdez the lsw, 10 a opportunity to defend
Shs Ensa.yes against any charges that their
saDerio-s might make.
This right vas ignored. The President,
IL Is explained. had been advised by the At
torney-GensEzi that tae removals might be
legally accomplished thr1uyh tsa exercise
OF an executive order..- T;.e. Ciyil Service
Com mission, OIL the other hand took no such
4
immediately communicated its views as to
the Law TO the White House. contending. 4
4 is understood, that The integrity Of the civil
service had been violated
10 complicate The unusual situation. Il
Is now admitted By the Secretary Of the
Treasury himself, under whom the bureau
omcia's serve, that no irregularities" in.
FoiY!ng the honesty OF the discharged Off.
eih!s nave been found or suspected The
Only direct charge made in the case is tina,
the thirty-one men were not eGcian, and
were not IN sympathy with the policies OF
the administration IN reorganizinp IN. bu
reau.
: There Is malodorous atmosphere abon,
inns "hoie business. and II is no wonde,
that all civil service employees OF the gov
eminent have become conscious of tho inea
curity Of their positions. II the Prasiden,
himself is willing 10 assume responsibilit,
LOT so drastic an act as the discharge O
thirty-one officials OF an important govern
men; bureau without so MUCH as an hour
notice, the minor officials OF the admins
tration' hungry for the Jobs OF the peopl
under them, may stop at nothing.
me president owes il TO himself and &
inc good OF the service" TO reassure III
country in some definite way that he di
cot act upon i!-considered advice in throw
ing thir'y-one officials out of Office. an
i That he Will not tolerate abuses OF powe
against the civil employees OF the pov.-n
ment by subordinate officials under him