Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-08
Resolution


Whereas, pursuant to an order of
the President, issued the afternoon
of March 81, and Immediately effect
i've, there was a wholesale removal
of responsible officials of the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing and the
appointment in their stead; and
Whereas the order was made not
outstanding the law which provides
that no person in the classified civil
service of the United States shall be
removed therefrom except for such
cause a s will promote the
efficiency of said service and for rea
sons given in writing, and the per
son whose removal is sought shall
have notice of the same and of any
charges preferred against him, and
be allowed a reasonable time for per-
sonally answering the same in writ
ing. and afidavits in support there
Of; and
Whereas, previous to being roti-
fed Of their sudden dismissal by q
letter from 'he Secretary to the Pres
ident, accompanied by copy of the
Presidents order, none of the said
persons, so far as they were aware,
had been complained of to the Sec
rotary of the Treasury, to whose de-
partment the Bureau OF Engraving
and Printing belongs, or complained
Of by him, or otherwise made the sub
ject Of complaint; and
Whereas the order recites that the
action Of the President Diminishing the
said persons was taken ''for the good
of the service" which carries the I'M
phcation that the officials removed
had been guilty of misconduct, which
is a grave injustice to them if, as is
alleged 20 be the fact, they are per-
sons of capacity, character and ex-
perience who have discharged their
duties faithfully and efficiently. some
Of them being officials whose inven-
tons and improvements have been
freely used by the Government to its
great advantage, some of them having
heretofore declined attractive offers
of private employment because Of
devotion to the interests of the Gov
eminent, and some of them being war
veterans; and
Whereas it was stated by the press
at the time the order was issued that
it was approved by the Attorney Gen
eral. who was then in conference with
the President, and it. is now similarly
stated that the Attorney General will
cause an eX parte investigation of
conditions in the bureau for the pur-
pose, apparently, Of determining
whether the order already executed,
was justified by the facts; and
Whereas in view of his recent ut
terances, which show that he is hostile
to the general policy embodied in the
civil-Service law, such an inveStiga-
ton made and any decision promul-
gated by the Attorney General would
hardly inspire public confidence;an
Whereas it is IN every sense proper
and desirable that there should be a
thorough and impartial inquiry into
every feature of the transaction in
question: Therefore be it
1 ReSolCcd, That the Speaker APP
point committee of five members
who shall ascertain and report:
The specific facts and reasons upon
which the order is based, and by,
what, if any, real investigation 1t was
preceded; whether the persons remov-
ed, or any of them, have failed in the
performance of their duties; whether
there is ground for believing that the
good of the service is likely to be pro-
noted by their removal or by the new
appointments; and whether or not
the facts indicate that the order may
be regarded as a step in the direction
of return to the Giscredited spoilS
system by disregarding the spirit and,
as is also claimed, the letter of the
civil-service law.