The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-23
ENGRAVING BUREAU ROW HAS K|CKBACK
Deserving Republicans Who Replaced Dismissed Demo-
 crats Not Making Good
WASHINGTON BUREAUl
 THE AGE HERALD Nashinrtan n C Dec %

U. J.
 The announced determination of Andrew W. Mellon, secretary of the treasury, to restore to dismissed em- ployes of the bureau of printing and engraving their former positions and their civil service status is based not only on his sense of justice, but on the fact that conditions under the new regime have been highly un- satisfactory.
 The employees were dismissed early in 1922 They were democrats, and their places were filled with "deserv ing republicans. The late President Harding, who issued the executive order dismissing the democrats, made no explanation, although 1t was hinted that gross irregularities had been found in the bureau charge able to those dismissed.
 Senator Caraway. of Arkansas sen sationally assailed the administra- tion and all those directly and indi- reetly concerned with the scandal, and the administration undertook an investigation of all ground of com plaint against those who were dis missed. Secretary Mellon declares today that the victims have been en- tirely exonerated.
 While belated justice is being done, this scandal, involving the spells sys- tenn as operated under republican regimes, a system which requires those at it's head to resort to cruelty, will find lodging in the events of the forthcoming presidential cam paign.
 Early in 1922, because of com plaint of spoilsmen that democrats held key positions under civil service in all departments and bureaus, the late President Harding appointed politician, Elmer Dover, third assist
 : an assignment to dislodge democrats and install republicans.
 Late one afternoon without warn ing an executive order was served on Director Wilmeth and 2S assist ants discharging them instanter from the service of the government. Some of those employed were old in the service and after labor of many years had acquired positions of fela- tiveIy. good pay There was wide spread distress, and because of the resulting eXigencies. three of those dismissed have died.
 Senator Caraway has always ad- hered to the view that President Heusiag. while being first of all party man, and as such out or har- monv with civil service eXactnents, was deceived by politicians into be- lIeving that there was just cause for the dismissal of the employees of the
 
 bureau.
 Elmer Dover, however, unmoved by the storm which the executive order precipitated, turned his aden- tion to other bureaus, and prepared a list of many Nother democrats for official slaughter. The President, however, encouraged by Secretary Mellon, called a halt In the pro cedure,, and Dover, contend1ng that he was being checkmated in the dis charge of his duty, resigned.
 Since that time harmony has pre- vailed. But Senator Caraway mas continually fought for the dismissed employees of the bureau, and Secre- tary Mellon became aware that II Senator Caraway was correct, grave injustice had been done. He ordered a thorough investigation with the result that 1t was demon strated to his satisfaction that there was nothing save republican con tempt for the civil service, and for "undeserving' democrats, behind the order of dfsniissal.
 At the same time, 1t is alleged com ditions at the bureau under Director Hill the "deserving, republican, were not what they should be. There was a rumor that engraved notes or the federal reserve board had dls- apneared.. There were rumors, also, of internal dissention. So in restor- ing democrats, the secretary Will dismiss MT. Hill, and in giving old positions to those turned out, Will i necessarily embarrass some Of those who took their places.
 Senator Caraway has withdrawn resolution calling on the President for a full report of the investigation which led to the dismissal of the em- ployes, but has not bound himself to refrain from further discussion or the topic. He will tell the entire story And it will be a feature of the campaign next year