The Washington times., 1925-03-10
Bad State of Affairs in the
Government Printing Office

t ;dsrt COOLIDGE the methods used in the dismissal
Of large number Of old employees Of the Government Print
ing Office by GEORGE Il. CARTER, Public Printer
An of affairs has apparently existed In
the Government Printing Office for and we trust that
the President who free from important legislative
problems will carefully investigate the charges against Mr.
Carter them investigated by competent and un
preudiced men selected by him that the fullest sort
of pt may be thrown upon the management and conditions
In that large establishment.
There can be criticism Of the right Of Mr. Garter to
dismiss employees fuough others to meet the appropria
lions disposal We do not understand that right to be
disputed in any manner Every private employer workers
has the same right exercises Some Of them exercise
that right in fairness and considerations Of decency and
due regard to length Of service Others do not.
The Government, employer Of men and women is
supposed to offer stability of employment to and
who alured here with promises Of good wages
and permanent positions Nothing but Government promise
would induce people to break up their homes elsewhere and
Some Of the facts which the President should carefully
investigate these:
Did the Public Printer and the Civil Service Commission
only agohe Public Printer being fully
that his appropriations quite imitedadvertise widely
through posters and otherwise for linotype operators and
other skilled workers. going far to contemplate
lowering Of requirements get the employees supposed to be
necessary for the rush Of work Of the short session of Con-
gress?
Columbia typographical Union which composed Of in
tegent thoughtful newspaper printing office workers
possession copy posters which used to flood
large of the country offering special induce
ments to take civil service examinations to here
and accept temporary positions pending civil service exana
ton.
So pressing were the supposed needs of the printing office
for more workers that the Commission apparent
request Government Printing Office contemplated
lowering the requirements that have long been called for in
conference with the Civil Service Commission regarding the
matter IN January Of this e; ysar 60
employes-and just how brought here nobody
knOwshe Public Printer dismisses large number Of
poyes Among them many it is said who misled
into coming Washington The posters holding allure
coming Washington, printed in Mr. Carriers
Another serious question is that Of the dismissal Of many
who within few months Of the privileges
months Of the right retire upon the small annuity
would go him. paid by his felow-workers for the
Government and not by the Government received his dis
nissal papers Other men, than thirty years of
service in the Printing Office back of them and good records
too dismissed
Il is mighty easy thing to get rid Government
ployes who may be favored the ground of ineci
suddenly grow efficient than who has BEEN
dragged here poster promises and must be kept where he N
office windows and other places mentioned the preference
the service laws give to applicants fGs Ts
claimed that at least veteran Of the Spanish
American dismissed, along with other veterans
The way things being done it is only question
OF time when the people OF the country will know that
nothing trustworthy in Government promises to positions
here and that the safest thing to do to keep away from
Government service here or elsewhere
retirement law enacted to for superannuated
Government workers. after long and faithful service to the
Government The very spirit of that law and the human
fairness intended carry it, utterly violated
when employees within few months Of the right to retire
nnent dumped out much trash.
It is exceedingly fortunate for civil service workers that the
vast majority of executive heads too fair and do
thing Of this kind They disposed to hold aged and
women until they reach retirement age.
The law requires that appointed to the position of
Public Printer MUST be practical printer and versed in the
art Of bookbnding." Mr. Carter neither When the
legality OF his appointment was questioned and put before
Department Of Justice acting Attorney General him
clean bill Of health largely based upon presumption that
the late President Harding himself printer knew what he
doing and that the Senate also presumed know
its business in confirming him.
Mr.. Carter has big political pull back of him. but
despite that believe the President will not be deferred
going into all the facts conditions in the Printing Office
and the methods and competency Of the Public Printer himself
who holds the positions of thousands of and
in his hand and freely upon their efficiency
competency should least show to his superior the
President that he is also competent.