Evening star., 1922-04-05
PROBE OF BUREAU
D|SM|SSALS HITS
SNAG IN SENATE
Republicans Block Effort to
Force President to Dis
close Reasons.
CARAWAY RESOLUTIONS
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE
Author Demands Speedy Action.
Measures Expected to Be Delayed
for Some Time.

Senate action on the bureau of en-
craving dismissals was postponed to-
day by reference to the Senate COM
mittee on civil service of two resolu-
tions of Senator Caraway, democrat,
Arkansas. asking for the President
to explain his action. and providing
Senate committee OF investigation.
From the White House it was said
that President Harding remained firm
in the conviction that he had done
right; that he was willing to amend
his executive order if it overstepped
the law, but that it was the belief
of the executive he had been wholly
within his authority.
Republicans Block Move.
Efforts of democratic senators to
force the President to disclose his
reasons for the dismissal of former
Director Wilmeth and other employees
of the bureau of engraving and print
ing, were blocked today at least tenn
porarily. in the Senate. by the re-
publicans.
AT the close of the morning business
the two resolutions introduced by
Senator Caraway of Arkansas, demo-
crat, one calling upon the President
to inform the Senate, il not incom-
patible with the public interests. what
led up to the dismissals, and the sec
ond, providing for an appointment of
special Senate committee TO inyesti-
gate the affair, were referred to the
Senate committee on civil service.
When the first of these resolutions
was called up Senator Curtis, the act
ing republican floor leader, said that
II the whereases contained in the
resolution were stricken out he for
one had no objection 10 it's adoption.
Senator Borah of Idaho. republican,
however, raised the question as TO
whether Congress has the right to
ask the President in regard to dismis-
sails from the government service,
how he is discharging his duty.
Senator King, of Utah, democrat.
asked whether Congress had not the
right to request such information II
the President has violated law
providing for due notice of charges
TO civil service employees before DIS
missal.
Right of Congress Questioned.
Senator Borah replied that if the
President had violated a law :aere was
a way to reach him, referring to i'm
parchment The Idaho senator, however,
questioned the right of Congress to
demand information of the President
regarding his dismissal of employees.
THE democratic President said Sen
ator Borah, when similar request was
made, informed Congress that it was
none of its business"
Senator Curtis announced that in
view of what aad been said he should
insist that the Caraway resolution go
n the civil S-rNica committee
Senator Caraway said that he would
gladly agree to such a course, pro-
vided he had some assurance that there
would be prompt action.
Senator Curtis replied that If the
committee did not report the resolu-
tion back in a short time a motion
could then be made by Senator Cara
way 10 discharge the committee from
further consideration of the resolution.
Senator Caraway asked that his
second resolution, providing for the
appointment of special committee to
investigate the dismisSals, go to the
committee on orders and control of the
contingent expenses of the Senate.
However, in the end, and without a
roll call, both OF the resolutions were
referred to the civil service committee,
where, democratic senators fear, they
will be allowed to sleep for some time.
Clash Over Resolution.
The sharpest clash came over a
resolution by Senator Harrison. demo-
crat, Mississippi, asking the Presi-
dent for the names of all persons
appointed by executive order with
out Segard to civil service rules. Re-
publlcanS sought to refer this also
to the civil service committee, but
Senator Harrison said he didn't want
it buried that way" and a number
Of roll calls, divided in party lines.
followed
Senator Harrison finally failed to
I get action on his resolution. but the
republicans also failed to have it re-
ferred to the civil service committee.
Under the rules the resolution went
to the calendar when it was displaced
automatically by the bill to create
more federal judges. Senator HarrI-
son was prevented from discussing
his resolution and the republicans de-
feated a motion by him to direct the
civil service committee to report out
the resolution without delay.
Dismissed Ohcinis Defended.
Defense of the character of the men
dismissed from the bureau continued
in official circles today. When at
tention was directed to a rumor that
the action might have been taken in
connection with the alleged disap-
pearance of liberty bonds from the
bureau years ago, officials disclaimed
knowledge of any disappearance of
bonds and reiterated the statement
that no charges of irregularity in
connection with the country's paper
had been filed.
Officials in charge also denied that
| labor troubles had been the cause of
| the dismissal. Attention had been di-
| rected to uncon6rmed reports that
there had been conflict between bu-
reau plans for installing abor-saving
machinery and the labor union. which
was reported to have resisted such
installation.
REPETITION of the reasons efficiency
and economy" by officials met nu-
| merous inquiries as to the cause of
the dismissals-and always there was
from officials emphatic denial of any
| intention to reflect upon the integ-
| rity of any one dismissed.
Difficulty of some kind. however, of
nature to cause conflict between
| elements in the bureau and the ad-
| ministration was admitted in certain
quarters of the Treasury; the diff
Guilty had been of long standing, and
had been increasing, it was learned.
The removal of one or a few persons
| would not effect the necessary change.
it was decided, after long study Of
The problems-so the quick step had
kkaan tSken-and a clean-sweep made.