- OF THE =:

. a PRINTER

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT . v



ANNUAL REPORT

=OF THE

PUBLIC PRINTER

1929

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

GEORGE H. CARTER, Public Printer ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

PUBLIC PRINTER

1929

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 1930
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

Public Printer.—George H. Carter, Iowa

Deputy Public Printer.—John Greene, Massachusetts. Production Manager.—Ellwood S. Moorhead, Pennsylvania. Assistant to Public Printer.—Miss Mary A. Tate, Tennessee. Chief Clerk.—Henry H. Wright, New York. Assistant Chief Clerk.—Ernest C. Mellor, Maryland.

Superintendent of Accounts and Budget Officer.—James K. Wallace, Ohio. Assistant Superintendent of Accounts.—J. Thomas Ford, Nevada. Purchasing Agent.—Ernest E. Emerson, Maryland.

Assistant Purchasing Agent.—Willlvm J. Cassiday, District of Columbia. Superintendent of Documents.—Alton P. Tisdel, Ohio. Assistant Superintendent of Documents.—Miss Josephine G. Adams, District of Columbi Superintendent of Planning.—William A. Mitchell, North Carolina. Assistant Superintendent of Planning.—Louis C. Vogt, Florida. Storekeeper and Traffic Manager.—William H. Kervin, New York. Assistant Storekeeper.—George Lamb, Pennsylvania. Medical and Sanitary Officer.—Dr. Daniel P. Bush, Nebraska. Assistant Medical and Sanitary Officer.—Dr. Arthur G. Hunt, Oklahoma. Technical Director.—Edwa-rd O. Reed, District of Columbia. (Resigned October 15, 1929.) Byron L. Wehhkoff, Washington. (Appointed October 16, 1929.) Disbursing Clerk.—Edward J. Wilver, Pennsylvania. Deputy Disbursing Clerk.—J. Basil Perkins, Minnesota. Chief Instructor of Apprentices.—BuRR G. Williams, Iowa. Assistant Chief Instructor of Apprentices.—Nathaniex G. Watts, Missouri. Assistant Cliief Instructor of Apprentices.—Frank M. Roller, Pennsylvania. Congressional Record Clerk (Capitol).—William A. Smith, District of Columbia. Superintendent of Printing.—Hermann B. Barnhart, Indiana. Assistant Superintendent of Printing.—Maurice H. Phillips, Ohio. Foreman Linotype Section.—William D. Skeen, Pennsylvania. Foreman Monotype Section.—William H. Chase, Maryland. Foreman Proof Section.—Marion E. Bullock, Maryland. Foreman Patents Section.—Raymond H. Lecraw, Rhode Island. Foreman Hand Section.—Hugh Reid, Wisconsin. Foreman Job Section.—Allan C. Clough, New Hampshire. Foreman Library Printing Branch.—James H. Heslet, Kansas. Chief Type Machinist.—Daniel L. Liddle, Michigan.

Superintendent of Presswork.—Bert E. Bair, Michigan. Assistant Superintendent of Presswork.—Daniel Beckwith, New Hampshire. Foreman Main Press Section.—Daniel I. Leane, New York. Foreman Job Press Section.—James E. Veatch, New York. Foreman Postal Card Section.—^Joseph A. Fenton, Michigan. Foreman Money Order Section.—John A Massey, Jr., Georgia. Superintendent of Binding.—Martin R. Speelman, Missouri. Assistant Superintendent of Binding (Book Section).—John A. Patterson, New York. Foreman Pamphlet Section.—Charles J. Orem, Maryland. Foreman Blank Section.—Walter H. Oliver, Maine. Foreman Library Binding Brancli.—George R. Erler, Maryland.

Superintendent of Platemaking.—Edward G. Whall, Massachusetts. Assistant Superintendent of Platemaking.—Edward A. Kerr, Massachusetts. Foreman Finishing Section.—Charles H. Hanson, Pennsylvania. Foreman Photo-Engraving Section.—John Walter, Maryland.

Night Assistant Production Manager.—Edward A. HusE, Massachusetts. Assistant Superintendent Presswork, night.—Charles C. Gastrock, Pennsylvania. Foreman Linotype Section, night.—Harry L. Murray, Pennsylvania. Foreman Monotype Section, night.—William A. Morris, Missouri. Foreman Proof Section, night.—Harry B. Goodrell, Iowa. Foreman Hand Section, night.—George O. Atkinson, Massachusetts. Assistant Foreman Pamphlet Section, night.—Charles C. Covert, New York. In Charge Platemaking, night.—Herman C. Groth, Pennsylvania. Superintendent of Construction and Maintenance.—Alfred E. Hanson, Massachusetts. Chief Carpenter.—Abraam B. Batton, Maryland. Chief Machinist.—Michael J. McInerney, New York. Chief Electrician.—Edward H. Brian, District of Columbia. Chief Engineer.—Walter A. Browne, New Hampshire. Chief Pipefitter.—OviLUP H. George, New York. Assistant Structural Engineer.—Edward F. Webb, Illinois. Construction Foreman.—Daniel W. Bruce, District of Columbia. Foreman Sanitary Section.—Joseph L. May, Virginia. Chief of Delivery.—Walter G. Copp, District of Columbia. Captain of Guards.—Charles H. Warner, District of Columbia.

II
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PUBLIC PRINTER

United States Goveenment Printing Office,

Office of the Public Printer,

Washington^ D. (7., January 10^ 1930.

To the Congress of the United States:

In compliance with law, I have the honor to submit the following

report on the work of the Government Printing Office for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1929, and also for the last half of the calendar

year 1929.

Completing the first decade since the World War, it seems appropriate to begin this report with a brief review of the work of the

Government Printing Office during the outstanding fiscal years 1919

and 1929, which mark the high tide of its war and peace time

activities. On almost every basis of comparison, the record of the Government

Printing Office for the year ended June 30, 1929, surpasses the war

peak in the fiscal year 1919, heretofore regarded as the banner year

for the production of Government printing and binding.

THOUSAND fewer EMPLOYEES IN OFFICE

With 1,068 fewer employees than were enrolled in 1919, the new

record in 1929 was achieved after a thorough reequipment and rehabilitation of the entire plant which the exhausting war work made

necessary. In 1919 the Government Printing Office had an average daily enroll- ment of 5,042 employees, with a maximum at one time of 5,307. In

1929 the average daily enrollment was 3,974, exclusive of the 180

apprentices.

The present number of employees in the Government Printing

Office is greater than either the State, War, Justice, Post Office,

Interior, or Labor Department has in Washington, and more than

any independent establishment except the Veterans' Bureau.

COMPENSATION INCREASE NEARLY $1,500,0 00 The total compensation of the 4,154 employees, including apprentices, in 1929 exceeded that paid the 5,042 employees in 1919 by

1
2 Annual Report of the Public Printer

nearly $1,500,000, the total compensation for 1919 being $7,357,973.90

and for 1929, $8,821,369.65. This increase of 20 per cent in the total of

wages and salaries for 1929 was paid to 20 per cent fewer employees.

The average wage, including bonus, in 1919 was $1,459.33. The

average wage in 1929 was $2,123.58, an increase of 45 per cent, or $664.25 more per employee than in 1919. The higher wages were made possible by the Kiess Collective Bargaining Act of 1924, which

aided materially in obtaining the increased production of recent years

and the record-breaking output for 1929.

The work of the more competent and contented force of employees

has been made easier by the extensive installation of more efficient machinery and equipment and by the general improvement of working conditions in the office during the last eight years.

iriGPIER AVERAGES OF TYPE-MACHINE OPERATORS

An example of the increased efficiency, typical of the entire force,

is the work of linotype and monotype keyboard operators, whose

production averages have increased nearly 40 per cent. In 1919 Government linotype operators produced an average of 3,620 ems of type

per hour, while in 1929 their average was 5,056, an increase of 1,436 ems per hour. Likewise in 1919, monotype keyboard operators had

an average of 5,002 ems of type per hour, while their average in

1929 was 7,148, an increase of 2,146 ems per hour.

The increase of operators' averages brought the total number of ems of type set in 1929 up to 2,226,741,000, or within 11 per cent of

the total composition in the record-breaking year of 1919, when a

larger force, working 12 or more hours daily, was credited with

2,492,564,700 ems of type. Of the 1919 type, 385,729,700 ems were

" pick-up " or set on time, 120,845,100 more ems of " pick-up " and

time work than in 1929, not including the work of apprentices.

Deducting the "pick-up," which was largely a double credit for

composition previously charged, approximately 150,000,000 more ems

Avere produced by the type-machine operators in 1919 than in 1929.

That represents less than three weeks' output of the present force at normal hours.

NO LET-Ur IN WORK AFTER THE AVAR For a better understanding of this comparison of the years 1919

and 1929 the following statement of the work of the Government

Printing Office in 1919 is quoted from the Report of Public Printer

Ford for that year

The signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918, found this office in full swing; on the largest output in its history. With practically all divisions run- ning on three 8-hour schedules, the value of product was amounting to about

one and a quarter million dollars a month. A decided let-up was apparent for V
Annual Report of the Ptihlic Printer 3

a while after that time, due to cancellation of many orders covering large quantities of printing for war purposes. This let-up, however, was for but a short time; work that had been held back by various departments during the war

period was sent in, and printing in connection with collection of revenue, Liberty

bonds, and other activities brought about during the war was of such volume

that the extremely large output continued throughout the year. The value of work produced was the largest of any year since the establish- ment of the Government Printing Office, and the largest number of employees was 5,307, in October, 1918. Notwithstanding the vast production of war-time printing and

binding in 1919, the much smaller force in 1929 established higher

records for nearly every class of work done by the Government Printing Office. XUMBER OF PRINTING JOBS INCREASED

The number of job specifications (jackets) written in 1929 was

58,860, an increase of 2,521, or 4 per cent more than in 1919. Greater

care was taken in figuring on these jobs, as shown by the fact that

15,203, or 39 per cent, more estimates on printing and binding requisitions were prepared in 1929 than in 1919. The extent of accounting required is further shown by the fact that

75,919 bills for work done in 1929 were computed and rendered to the

various departments and establishments of the Government, an in- crease of 8 per cent over the number of bills computed in 1919. The total cost of printing and binding produced in the fiscal year

1929 was $13,515,330.80, which was $740,618.46, or 6 per cent, more

than for the work done in the war year ended June 30, 1919. Of the charges for 1929, paper and envelopes constituted 18 per

cent, while in 1919 these items amounted to 36 per cent of the total charges. The high price of materials during the war is shown by the

fact that paper and envelopes used in the fiscal year 1919 cost $4,591,394.89, as compared with $1,956,956.22 paid in 1929 for

approximately the same quantity.

MORE PRODUCTION THAN IN WAR TIME

Although, as before stated, the amount of type set in 1929 was

somewhat less than that reported for 1919, there are other records

showing more work actually accomplished in the fiscal year 1929 than

at the height of the war-time production. For example, a comparison of the number of type pages for the two years 1919 and 1929

shows an increase of 899,455, or 65 per cent, for the latter year, with a total of 2,274,889 type pages, as against 1,375,434 in 1919. Patent specifications and trade-marks increased 30 per cent, from

117,694 type pages in 1919 to 153,316 pages in 1929. There were

5,689,408 copies of patent specifications and trade-marks printed in

1929. The number in 1919 is not known but was considerably less.
4 Anmtal Report of the Publie Printer

Type pages of bills, resolutions, and amendments printed for Congress increased from 58,217 in 1919 to 94,157 in 1929, a growth of 62

per cent in this class of printing.

COPIES PRINTED BREAK THE RECORD

Likewise, the 3,402,131,586 copies of all classes of work printed in

the fiscal year 1929 exceeded the total number of copies recorded in

1919 by approximately 450,000,000, or 15 per cent. The increase was due largely to the greater number of blanks, notices, schedules,

and cards printed in 1929, reaching the record-breaking total of

3,167,101,247 copies, which was 686,539,698, or 28 per cent, more than

in 1919.

Of postal cards alone, 1,820,181,228 were printed in 1929, as compared with a total in 1919 of only 271,929,600, or approximately one and one-half billion less than in 1929.

The printing of postal money orders also reflects a great growth

in business, with totals of 120,560,000 for 1919 and 208,161,400 for

1929, the increase during the latter year being 87,601,400.

PRESSWORK AND BINDERY PRODUCTION

With 220 fewer employees in 1929, the presswork division completed but a third less impressions than were produced in 1919, when

the force consisted of three shifts of eight hours each. Presswork in

1919 consisted largely of continuous runs of drill manuals, Army

regulations, and war handbooks, while in 1929 a far greater variety

of larger publications was printed.

The bindery division with 1,771 employees in 1919 had almost

double the number on its rolls in 1929. Nevertheless, with only 910

employees, the bindery record for several operations in 1929 exceeds

that of 1919, due to the recent installation of more efficient machinery.

With practically the same number of folding machines of a newer and more productive model, sheets of printed paper folded in 1929

increased 107,611,621, or 40 per cent, over 1919. Copies of publications paper covered by machinery increased 1,407,034, or 15 per cent. SALES OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

The passing of the war period is also noticeable in the largely

increased sale of Government publications. During the peace-time

year of 1929 the Superintendent of Documents sold 4,425,491 more

copies of publications than in 1919. A total of 9,208,148 copies were

sold in 1929. The receipts from the sale of publications in 1929

amounted to $505,062.42 more than for 1919, when the total receipts
Annual Report of the Public Printer 5

were $200,739.99. The documents division in 1929 also handled

327,414 more cash orders and 78,439 more letters of inquiry than in

1919. Applying the 1919-1929 comparison to plant construction and

maintenance work, the trend of improvement is also seen in the

increase of $154,446.06 for work completed in 1929, the total value of

which was $339,273.93. The increased construction and maintenance

work in 1929 was done by seven fewer employees than in 1919. So it is evident that in nearly every way the Government Printing

Office to-day is doing more work with fewer employees than in 1919

when the war production reached its peak and was thought to have

set records that would stand for many years. FINANCIAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF YEAR

The records of 1929 likewise show satisfactory advances over

the preceding fiscal year 1928, both in productive and financial

accomplishments. The charges for work done in 1929 increased

$345,184.17 over the previous year, exclusive of $800,000 expended

for labor and material on jobs that were not computed at the end of

the fiscal year. The total charges for the year amounted to $12,715,330.80.

Charges for work delivered in the fiscal year 1929 exceeded the

cost by $428,836.74, or 3 per cent, which was approximately the

amount of the unobligated balance returned to the Treasury in

1929 for other use by the Government.

Inasmuch as the charges are based on a scale of prices which has

to be fixed in advance according to previously determined costs, the

variation of only 3 per cent in the total charges and costs for the

curt-ent year is a remarkably close margin on which to balance the

accounts of the year, amounting to approximately $13,000,000.

CHARGES FOR WORK AT ACTUAL COST

The financial problem is especially difficult under the law requiring work to be done at cost, which necessitates charges of as nearly an equal amount as possible so as to avoid deficiencies prohibited by law. Thus, the Public Printer can neither make a profit nor incur a loss in the work of the Government Printing Office. If the departments exhaust their printing funds, no work can be done

for them, but the Public Printer must then curtail his expenditures

and force of employees accordingly. Fortunately, a furlough has not

been necessary on this account for a number of years. The unobligated balance of Government Printing Office appropriations for 1929 was $407,436.36, which was six times the reserve
6 Annual Report of the Ptthlic Printer

pledged to the Bureau of the Budget at the beginning of the fiscal year and represents savings in funds that were available for ex- penditure by the Public Printer.

In addition to the large unexpended balance, the Public Printer

also deposited in the Treasury to the credit of miscellaneous receipts

during 1929 the sum of $170,389.84, obtained from the sale of waste

materials and public documents.

SAVINGS IN NINE YEARS, $10,077,756.45

The unobligated balance and deposit of miscellaneous receipts in

1929 bring the total of unused funds returned to the Treasury by

the present Public Printer during the last nine fiscal years to the

grand total of $10,077,756.45.

In the 1929 audit of Government Printing Office expenditures for

the year, the Comptroller General made only one disallowance, a $3

item which had been paid through mistake.

During the nine fiscal years for which the present Public Printer

has had to account for the expenditure of $110,011,627.45, the total disallowances have amounted to $1,131.47. All of this sum has been

deposited in the Treasury, $507.39 by contractors, $452.13 by reinstated employees who had to refund leave pay, and $171.95 from

miscellaneous sources. PURCHASE OF MACHINERY AND SUPPLIES

The expenditures for the fiscal year 1929 required the placing

of 6,328 orders for equipment, machinery, material, and supplies,

costing approximately $3,900,000, of which $2,958,738.59 was for

paper and envelopes and $196,225 for machinery. By possible econ- omies in the handling of these orders, the purchasing agent reported

a saving of $21,479.10. Savings by cash discounts on purchases

during the year amounted to $2,004.86.

Among the purchases during the year were blank paper and

envelopes procured for other departments and establishments of

the Government and for the District of Columbia to the amount of

$535,417.89.

The vast purchases of paper, materials, machinery, and equipment for the Government Printing Office in the fiscal year 1929 are shown by the receipts of 1,277 full carload lots and 1,154 less-thancarload lots, totaling in all approximately 50,000,000 pounds. Practically all these shipments were handled in Washington by the 29

motor trucks operated by this office. The unloading and hauling was

done so promptly that the railroads did not charge any car demurrage

against this office during the year.
Annual Eeport of the Piihlic Printer 7

IMMENSE DELIVERIES BY OFFICE TRUCKS

In addition to hauling all of these shipments, the motor trucks

of the Government Printing Office made 108,430 deliveries of its products to the Capitol and other Government buildings in Washington, the total tonnage of these deliveries amounting to approximately 45,000,000 pounds. The total mileage of the trucks for

the year was 88,523.

Expenditures for wages and salaries for an average enrollment of

4,154 employees in the fiscal year 1929 amounted to $8,821,369.65, or $279,763.84 more than in 1928. Of their earnings in 1929, employees paid into the Federal retirement fund the sum of $325,350.67,

which is obtained by deducting for Treasury deposit 3i^ per cent of their compensation.

Included in the expenditures for wages and salaries was

$156,319.55 for overtime, Sunday, and holiday work, an increase of

$51,451.72 over the preceding year, but $147,154.28 less than was

paid for overtime work in 1920, the year preceding the present

administration of this office. RATES OF PAY FOR THE SKILLED TRADES

The present annual rates of pay (not including overtime) for the

skilled trades in the Government Printing Office are as follows

Compositors, bookbinders, and platen pressmen, $2,504 a year, at $1 per hour; compositors, typesetting-machine operators, and bookbinder-machine operators, $2,629.20 a year, at $1.05 per hour; typesetting-machine operators, proof readers, stereotypers, cylinder

pressmen, machinists, carpenters, painters, electricians, and pipe

fitters, $2,754.40 a year, at $1.10 per hour ; typesetting-machine operators, $2,879.60 a year, at $1.15 per hour ; photo-engravers, $3,004.80

a year, at $1.20 per hour.

The minimum wage for skilled laborers is $1,377.20 a year, at 55 ^ cents per hour.

Bindery operatives and similar grades of employees are paid from

$1,377.20 to $1,878 a year, at rates ranging from 55 to 75 cents per

hour.

The average pay for employees in 1929 was $2,123.58, an increase

of about $23 over the previous year, due to readjustment of individual rates of pay. No new wage scales were negotiated during the

year under the Kiess Act of 1924.

COST or ANNUAL LEAVE AND HOLIDAYS

Annual leaves of absence and holidays in the fiscal year 1929 cost the Government Printing Office the sum of $1,270,504.79, all of

which was paid to employees for nonworking time and included
8 Annual Report of the Public Printer

in charges for work, as required by law. In addition to 30 days'

annual leave with pay, employees enjoyed 8 legal holidays and by

Executive order are granted Saturday half holidays during 4 months

of the year. A bill granting employees of the Government Printing Office extra pay or equivalent time off for working any Saturday afternoon

throughout the year has passed the Senate and is now pending in

the House of Representatives. If the bill insured employees an

actual half day of rest on Saturdays, the Public Printer would

heartily favor it, but the pending legislation will not accomplish

that purpose and therefore would be of little benefit to employees

except as to extra pay for working Saturday afternoons.

The Government Printing Office can not shut down for Saturday

half holidays throughout the year unless Congress and the executive

departments do likewise or cease to require this office to work on

such half holidays. This is a matter for Congress and the President

to determine.

INCREASES IN NEARLY EVERY OPERATION

Increases were made in nearly every operation of the office during

the fiscal year 1929. Composition increased 125,440,000 ems, with

a total of 2,226,741,000, or 6 per cent more than in 1928. Chargeable

impressions increased 289,094,890, with a total of 2,225,320,830. The

actual impressions for the year numbered 512,438,770, which was

15,745,150 more than in the preceding year. The production of

electrotype and stereotype plates increased 475,436 square inches,

with a total of 10,820,451 square inches.

The largest gain of the bindery was in machine ruling, which in- creased nearly 15 per cent. During the year, 26,869,442 sheets passed

through the ruling machines, an increase of 4,002,023 over 1928. The

number of copies on the ruled sheets totaled 96,102,929, which was

47,091,072, or 98 per cent, more than the copies ruled in 1928. The

increase was due largely to the greater demand for ruled blank books

and to the operation of a new disk ruling machine.

Tablet making increased 22 per cent, with a total of 3,573,051, or

644,721 more tablets than were made in 1928. There was likewise an increase in index cutting and edging of books by approximately

50 per cent. WORK OF BINDERY DURING THE YEAR

Other bindery operations during the year 1929 included 378,361,-

054 sheets folded, 154,190,077 signatures gathered, 58,600,715 signaV
Annual Report of the Public Printer 9

tures sewed, 45,017,086 copies wire stitched, 44,992,890 books and

pamphlets trimmed, 10,547,504 copies paper covered, and 1,668,704

books cloth covered.

The grand total of all classes of printed work in the fiscal year 1929

exceeded that of 1928 by 60,437,283 copies. The output for 1929 was

3,402,131,586 copies, of which 3,167,101,247 were blanks, notices,

schedules, and cards, including postal cards.

Type pages for all the printing of 1929 totaled 2,274,889, an in- crease of 234,430, or 11 per cent more pages than in 1928. The

number of copies bound in 1929 decreased 155,199, with a total of

1,148,339 for the year. There were 2,509,338 more copies of books and pamphlets of vari- ous sizes printed in the fiscal year 1929 than in the preceding year, the total being 99,270,932 copies. These publications contained

1,984,364 type pages, an increase of 220,469 pages over 1928.

REDUCTION IN LETTERHEADS AND ENVELOPES

Letterheads and envelopes printed during the fiscal year 1929

totaled 115,386,978, a decrease of 3,516,863 from 1928. Only 757,161 letterheads and envelopes were embossed in 1929 at a

cost of $6,903.53. When Members and committees of Congress were

permitted to order all the embossed stationery they desired at the

expense of the Government the cost amounted to about $60,000 for more than 12,000,000 embossed letterheads and envelopes supplied

each year. In 1913 the Joint Committee on Printing put a stop to the free supply of embossed stationery and since then Members have

had to pay for the comparatively small quantity now ordered for

their personal use. The action of the joint committee has saved the

Government far more than half a million dollars in the last 16 years. By adopting some years ago one standard size, 8 by 10^/2 inches,

for Government letterheads, instead of using the commercial size of 8l^ by 11 inches, an annual saving of approximately $50,000 in

paper alone has been effected. Practically all letterheads are printed on standard 30 or 50 per cent rag paper. Envelopes stocked by this

office for printing are now of four standard sizes, replacing nearly

a dozen different sizes formerly used.

In addition to the letterheads and envelopes printed by the Government Printing Office, vast quantities are printed by various departments with their own presses, and more than 200,000,000 official " penalty " envelopes are procured by contracts awarded by the Post

Office Department.
10 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The Government Printing Office has nothing whatever to do with

the printing of stamped envelopes sold to the public by the Post

Office Department, which has this work done elsewhere by contract. MANUFACTUEE OF BLANK BOOKS

Blank books were produced in the fiscal year 1929 to the number

of 2,954,567, an increase of 492,335 over the output for the preceding

year. The making of blank books has been a function of the Government

Printing Office for many years; in fact, the printing act of 1895

requires that, in addition to printing and binding, " all blank-book

work shall be done at the Government Printing Office," and Congress

repeated this provision in the act of March 1, 1919. Notwithstanding

the law, it was the practice of many officers of the Government to procure blank books elsewhere under contracts which in recent years were awarded by the General Supply Committee. However, two

years ago the Joint Committee on Printing insisted that all blankbook work should be done at the Government Printing Office according to law. The Comptroller General also decided that blank books

must be procured exclusively from the Public Printer.

STOCK OF STANDARD BLANK BOOKS

The Public Printer therefore prepared to standardize and stock

certain kinds of blank books. The departments were notified on

April 1, 1927, that the Government Printing Office had started to make stenographer's notebooks in four sizes to be stocked in quantities

for immediate delivery at prices comparable with those quoted by

the General Supply Committee.

This led to a more detailed study of Government blank books by

the executive committee of the Permanent Conference on Printing

with a view to standardizing and reducing many of the varieties that

had been procured by contract. The committee reported that 375

specifications for blank books were included in the general schedule

of contract supplies for 1928, with an average of 62 different books

for each specified dimension. The contract schedule listed blank

books of 6 dimensions, 5 styles of rulings, and 3 styles of indexing for

books varying in pages from 150 to 500 each.

^ Working in cooperation with the Chief Coordinator and the Public

Printer, the Permanent Conference on Printing recommended and

secured the adoption of 19 standard blank books, to be made by the

Government Printing Office, in place of the 375 varieties contracted

for by the General Supply Committee.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 11

SUPPLY CENTRALIZED BY CONGRESS

The standardization of blank books was materially aided by Congress in the act of February 28, 1929, which provides that blankbook work which can not be done at the Government Printing Office

may be procured by contracts awarded by the Public Printer. This

legislation was recommended by the Public Printer to place the supply of Government blank books under one head, whether produced by

the Government Printing Office or procured elsewhere, so that they

could be made economically in large quantities and according to approved standards. As a result, a large number of useless varieties

have been eliminated, and the great bulk of Government blank books

is now supplied from stock according to standard schedules issued

annually by the Public Printer.

During 1929, the first year of this undertaking, there were issued

from the stocks on hand in the Government Printing Office 286,518

standard notebooks for stenographers and 160,894 standard blank

books.

STANDARDIZATION OF BLANK FORMS

The standardization of blank forms also has been aided by the

Public Printer in the printing and stocking of large quantities of the

forms prescribed for Government use. During the fiscal year 1929

the Government Printing Office stocked 9,411,135 copies of standard

and common forms, for which this office assumed the initial expense

of printing, to be subsequently charged to the ordering departments.

The forms in stock include 120 standardized by the Bureau of

the Budget and the Comptroller General, 10 adopted by the Personnel Classification Board and the Bureau of Efficiency for common

use in the Government service, and 12 required for Government

freight transportation. Of the transportation forms 949,618 were

issued by this office in 1929.

All forms proposed for standardization by the Bureau of the

Budget are submitted to the Permanent Conference on Printing for

its recommendation as to paper and typography and when sanc- tioned by the Director of the Budget are promulgated with the

approval of the President. Likewise, General Accounting Office

forms are submitted by the Comptroller General to the Permanent

Conference on Printing for similar views as to paper and typography.

All forms so approved are not subject to alteration thereafter except

by the same procedure.

The standardization of forms has greatly decreased the number

and variety of blanks used by various departments and establish-
12 Annual Beport of the Public Printer

ments and has effected much-needed uniformity in the transaction of

Government business as well as materially reducing the cost of

printing.

WORK OF THE REQUISITIONS REVIEW BOARD

Economies effected by the requisitions review board during the

fiscal year 1929 amounted to $14,152.84, due to careful review of all requisitions for printing and binding submitted by the various

departments and establishments. Since the review board was created

by the Public Printer on July 25, 1921, with the approval of General

Dawes, then Director of the Bureau of the Budget, it has reported

a total savings to the departments of $375,681.70 in revising their

requisitions for printing so as to secure more economical production.

The requisitions review board is an important part of the planning

division in the Government Printing Office, and its work has been

well done. The mere knowledge that such a board is always on

the watch for economies has also prompted more careful preparation

of printing requisitions by other branches of the Government that

are now carrying on of their own accord many of the savings which

were initiated by the review board. Its opportunities for economies

have, therefore, decreased considerably, but the report for 1929 shows

that the board is still functioning.

TABULATING CARDS UNDER PUBLIC PRINTER

The controversy in regard to the printing of tabulating cards as discussed at length in the Public Printer's report for 1928 has been

settled by Congress in the act of February 28, 1929, which sustains

and strengthens the right of the Public Printer to furnish tabulating

cards, either by printing the cards in the Government Printing Office or by contracting for them to be produced elsewhere. This legislation, which was recommended by the Public Printer and promptly en- acted by Congress, reads as follows, quoting from page 16 of Public

Act No. 844, Seventieth Congress:

* * * hereafter such printing, binding, and blank-book work authorized by

law, as the Public Printer is not able or equipped to do at the Government

Printing Office, may be produced elsewhere under contracts made by him with

the approval of the Joint Committee on Printing.

Congress had previously provided in the acts of January 12,

1895, and March 1, 1919, that all printing, binding, and blank-book

work, except for certain field services, shall be done at the Government Printing Office. However, the Comptroller General decided that the acts of Congress did not apply in case the Government Printing Office was un-
Annual Report of the Public Printer 13

able to print tabulating cards to his satisfaction and that the Public

Printer had no right to contract for work which the Government

Printing Office was not able or equipped to do. On the other hand, the Public Printer contended that the question

of how work shall be done for the Government Printing Office,

whether by its own or another's equipment, was an administrative

function solely within the jurisdiction of the Public Printer as the

head of an independent establishment of the Government.

CONGRESS UPHOLDS THE PUBLIC PRINTER

Inasmuch as there was no other appeal from the decision of the

Comptroller General, the Public Printer in his 1928 report submitted the matter to Congress for final determination. The decision rendered by Congress, as expressed in the act of February 28,

1929, gives full and final authority to the Public Printer to have

printing, binding, and blank-book work either done in the Government Printing Office or, if that office is not able or equipped to do

so, to purchase such work elsewhere under contracts approved by

the Joint Committee on Printing.

Accordingly, the Public Printer has resumed the printing of

tabulating cards and is also contracting for such cards as the Government Printing Office is at present not able or equipped to produce.

The Comptroller General in recent decisions has sustained the

right of the Public Printer to print or contract for tabulating

cards under the acts of March 1, 1919, and February 28, 1929. The

views of the Comjotroller General are expressed in his decision

(A-2T5T2) of June 29, 1929, as follows:

Tabulating cards when printed on order to meet the needs of particular Gov- ernment services constitute printing within the meaning of that term as used

in the act of March 1, 1919 (40 Stat. 1270). The Congress has by the cited act of 1929 authorized the Public Printer to procure elsewhere, under contract made by him, such printing, binding, and blank-book work as he is not able

or equipped to do at the Government Printing Ofl3ce, and there appears to be no

alternative but to order from the Public Printer all tabulating cards required

for the needs of your commission. The responsibility of furnishing satisfactory

cards, whether printed in the Government Printing Office or obtained elsewhere under contracts made by the Public Printer, is that of the Public Printer.

It being mandatory to procure the tabulating cards from the Public Printer, there is no authority to enter into a lease for tabulating machines which restricts the cards to be used in such machines to those furnished by the lessor or

" manufactured " or made by the Public Printer. This restriction should either be entirely omitted from the lease or amended to permit the use of cards

" manufactured or contracted for by the Public Printer."
14 Annual Report of the Public Printer

TABULATING CARDS FOR CENSUS BUREAU

Another effort to prevent the Public Printer from printing or contracting for tabulating cards was made by the Director of the Census

in the census bill, which, as reported to the Senate on April 23, 1929,

contained the following amendment

Provided, however, That punch cards shall not be considered as printing

within the meaning of this section. Upon protest by the Public Printer the Senate on May 28, 1929,

struck this amendment from the census bill. In this connection

and at the suggestion of the chairman of the Joint Committee on

Printing, who likewise opposed the census amendment, the Public

Printer submitted the following statement

The provision, if enacted into law, will nullify decisions of the Comptroller

General and the Joint Committee on Printing holding that punch or tabulating cards constitute printing within the scope of the act of March 1, 1919 (40

Stat. 1270), and will grant a special and exclusive exception to the Director

of the Census for the procurement of such cards from private contractors without regard to the laws regulating printing for all other branches of the Government service. The provision that punch cards shall not be considered

printing would also prevent the Government Printing Office from furnishing

such cards for future censuses and would give the Tabulating Machine Company

a permanent and absolute monopoly in the printing of census cards.

If the Government Printing Oflfice is unable to produce cards to the satis- faction of the Director of the Census, the Public Printer is authorized by the

act of February 28, 1929 (Public, No. -844, 70th Cong., p. 16), to procure such

printing done elsewhere under contracts made by him with the approval of the Joint Committee on Printing. That procedure has already been followed

for other branches of the Government service. Recently, with the approval of the Joint Committee on Printing, the Public Printer contracted for the purchase

of 75,000,000 cards for the General Accounting Office. Therefore, it seems to me, the requirements of the Director of the Census for tabulating cards can be adequately and properly met under existing law and

procedure without enactment of the provision proposed in the census bill, which would arbitrarily declare that census cards are not to be considered

as printing, although similar cards in use by all other establishments of the Government are held to be printing. The provision could be of benefit only

to the Tabulating Machine Company, which, by thus excluding the Government

Printing Office, would have the protection of the law in a monopoly of the supply of census cards. CONTRACT MORE THAN GOVERNMENT PRICES

Although the Government Printing Office had printed tabulating

cards in vast quantities for every census since 1910, the Director of

the Census insisted that cards for the census period beginning

July 1, 1929, be furnished by contract with a tabulating machine

company. So as not to be chargeable with any delay of census
Annual Report of the Public Printer 15

work, the Public Printer agreed to contract for cards for the

coming census, notwithstanding his belief that the Government

Printing Office was able to print such cards. Competitive proposals were invited for supplying approximately 175,000,000 census tabulating cards. Only one bid was received, quoting a price which

is approximately $102,000 more than the estimated cost of printing

such cards by the Government Printing Office. In requesting the Joint Committee on Printing to approve the

purchase of these cards from the Tabulating Machine Company, the

Director of the Census stated " that further experimentation at this

time would slow up tabulations of the Fifteenth Census."

The Bureau of the Census had also objected that cards printed

by the Government Printing Office were too thin for satisfactory use in its machines, but soon after the contract was awarded to the

Tabulating Machine Company, the Bureau of the Census waived its requirement for thicker cards, stating that the bureau can use the

thinner cards "by slowing down the speed of the machines." Fortunately, the Public Printer can not be held responsible for any slowness of census tabulations on account of the thinner cards purchased

of the Tabulating Machine Company.

PRINTING OF TABULATING CARDS RESUMED

Since February 28, 1929, when the Public Printer resumed the

supply of tabulating cards by authority of Congress, the Government Printing Office has printed and delivered 17,507,000 cards for

various Government departments and establishments in Washington,

including the Departments of the Treasury, War, Navy, Interior,

Agriculture, and Labor, the Interstate Commerce Commission, the

Shipping Board, and the Veterans' Bureau.

As far as reported, these cards have been generally satisfactory

except one lot for the Navy Department which is now being ex- amined. Difficulties in obtaining acceptable paper stock appear to have been overcome, and the present supply is proving satisfactory.

In addition to the 175,000,000 tabulating cards to be ordered for

the Bureau of the Census during the present fiscal year, the Public

Printer has also contracted for 75,000,000 cards to be delivered

to the General Accounting Office. For other Government services,

28,765,000 cards have been bought by the Public Printer, the total purchases to date being 278,750,000 cards. However, of this number, only 33,063,000 cards have been delivered, as compared with

the production of 17,507,000 cards in the same time by the Government Printing Office. 72200—30 2
16 Annual Report of the Public Printer

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST GOVERNMENT CARDS

Another interesting phase of the tabulating-card situation is the

fact that the two tabulating-machine companies still insist on

exacting discriminatory rentals for the use of their machines with

Government-made cards. One company adds 18i/^ per cent to the

regular rental charge if its machines are used with Governmentmade cards, and the other company demands $10 per month per

machine as additional rental for the use of cards printed by the

Government Printing Office. The Public Printer has nothing whatever to do with the terms

and conditions under which tabulating machines are leased by the

various departments, but he believes that it is his duty to protest

such unfair discrimination against the cards produced by the

Government Printing Office. For machines which the Public Printer proposed to install, the

tabulating-machine companies have even gone so far as to demand

discriminatory rentals if used with cards printed by this office. Notwithstanding the decision of the Comptroller General, the two

tabulating-machine companies in proposals to furnish cards have

specified that they shall be used only in their own machines and have

declined to bid on cards for use in machines of the other company.

CONGRESS THE LARGEST PRINTING CUSTOMER

Congress continues to be the largest customer of the Government

Printing Office, with a total charge of $2,487,436.88 against its 1929

printing and binding appropriation, an increase of $26,820.80 over

the cost of congressional work in 1928.

During 1929 there were printed 4,408,694 copies of congressional

publications, including documents, committee reports, and hearings.

The various prints of bills, resolutions, and amendments totaled

7,171,017 copies for the year. In addition, 4,154,804 copies of the

daily Congressional Record were printed and 82,140 volumes of the

permanent Record were printed and bound. All prints of the

Congressional Record charged in 1929 cost $580,289.31.

Other printing for Members of Congress includes the Agricultural

Yearbook and farmers' bulletins, which are issued in vast quantities

for free distribution by Senators and Members. In 1929 there were

printed 400,776 copies of the Agricultural Yearbook at a cost of

$290,458.31. The expenditures for the Yearbook in 1929 decreased

$25,462.34, owing to the somewhat less number of pages which

allowed more economical binding by machinery. Only 780 copies of

the last Yearbook were sold to the public in 1929 at $1.50 per volume.
Annual Beport of the Public Printer 17

Of farmers' bulletins, also largely for congressional distribution,

11,360,576 copies were printed in 1929 at a cost of $145,143.87, a slight decrease from the expenditure of the preceding year. COST OF PRINTING FOR COMMITTEES

Printing for committees of Congress in 1929 cost $559,841.97, of

which $381,308.14 was expended for committees of the House and

$178,533.83 for committees of the Senate. Committee hearings alone

cost $406,552.65, as compared with $275,328.76 expended for the printing of hearings in the preceding year. The hearings in 1929 consisted of 86,358 type pages. In all, 211,950 copies of committee hearings were printed. Hearings on the appropriation bills totaled 9,081

pages.

Tariff revision printing for Congress has been one of the biggest

and hardest tasks undertaken by the Government Printing Office since the war. To date (January 10, 1930) the cost of printing in

connection with pending tariff legislation amounts to approximately

$370,000. While the tariff bill was under consideration in the House

of Eepresentatives 31,900 pages of bills, hearings, reports, and in- formation documents were printed. The Senate has added approximately 20,000 pages to the current literature on the tariff, bringing

the congressional contribution to tariff information up to a total of

nearly 55.000 pages.

The printing of hearings is generally an overnight job, delivery

being required the following morning after the copy is received.

This is especially the practice of the House Committee on Appropriations. Numerous appropriation hearings consisting of 400 to 600 or more printed pages have been completely set, read, corrected, and

proofed between the hours of 7 p. m. and 8 a. m., and 10 sets of

page proofs submitted to the committee the morning after the copy was received.

COXGRESSIOXAL BILLS NEAR THE RECORD

During the Seventieth Congress 24,695 bills and resolutions were

printed for the Senate and the House. This number was only a few

less than the record-breaking total of bills and resolutions printed

for the Sixty-ninth Congress. Nine omnibus pension bills enacted by

the Seventieth Congress were a consolidation of 7,620 private bills and constituted the largest number of pension bills ever enacted by

any Congress. One of the omnibus pension bills was the largest ever

printed, making 563 pages. The House report accompanying this

bin was also a record breaker with 962 pages.
18 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The reprinting of speeches and other extracts from the Congressional Record for distribution by Members of Congress is not done

at public expense by the Government Printing Office. The cost of

this work is paid for by the individual Members, and the Public

Printer is authorized by law to attach their salaries for any unpaid

accounts. Fortunately, this method of collection has been necessary

in only a few instances.

MEMBERS PAY FOR PRINTING SPEECHES

To inform the public more definitely as to the fact that the

Government does not bear the expense of reprinting Members'

speeches for personal distribution, such pamphlets now generally bear

the statement, " Not printed at Government expense," which was

authorized during the year by the Joint Committee on Printing.

Members of Congress paid $66,490.67 out of personal funds for

reprinting 16,296,050 copies of speeches and extracts from the Congressional Record during the fiscal year 1929. The preceding year

these charges to Members of Congress amounted to $68,266.19 for

17,191,250 copies of extracts from the Record.

Franked envelopes for the free mailing of congressional speeches

and Government publications are furnished without charge to Senators and Members. The cost, including printing of the 22,280,925

franked envelopes so supplied in the fiscal year 1929, was $54,950.96.

The cost of 27,466,950 franked envelopes for congressional use in

1928 was $66,813.17.

WORK DONE FOR THE POSTAL SERVICE

Next to Congress, the Post Office Department, including the

Postal Service, is annually the largest customer of the Government

Printing Office. The charges for printing for the Post Office Department in the fiscal year 1929 amounted to $2,113,061.95, an increase

of $81,466.24 over the preceding year. In addition, the Postal

Service has printing done at local post offices and contracts with

commercial concerns for the printing of stamped and " penalty

envelopes.

The larger part of the work done for the Post Office Department

consists of printing postal cards, which keeps three big presses run- ning 8 hours, and sometimes 16 hours, daily throughout the year. Each press, with 80 plates, is capable of printing, cutting, and count- ing in packs of 25 or 50 at the rate of 6,400 cards per minute or

384,000 per hour.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 19

The niimber of postal cards produced in the fiscal year 1929 ^Yas 1,820,181,2285 for which the Post Office Department was charged

$981,908.75. In 1928 the number of postal cards was 93,656,836 less. GAIX IX POSTAL CARDS AXD MOXEY 0EDER3

Based on the 1-cent selling price of each card, the postal receipts

from the total number printed in 1929 will amount to $18,201,812.28,

which is $17,219,903.53 in excess of the amount paid to the Government Printing Office for the printed cards. Undoubtedly, this is one

of the most profitable activities of the entire Government service. However, the figures do not include the cost to the Postal Service of

handling in the mails this enormous number of postal cards.

Another year-round job for the Post Office Department is the

printing of money-order forms and application blanks. During the

fiscal year 1929 a total of 208,161,400 money-order forms were printed

and bound into books of 200 each at a cost of $168,933.42. The number increased slightly over the preceding year, which likewise showed

a gain over the year before, thus indicating a steady advance in this

important business.

In keeping with the number of money orders, there were also

printed last year 204,915,000 application blanks for the use of moneyorder purchasers. The application blanks are now made up into pads

by machinery instead of by hand as formerly, thus effecting a saving

of $6,000 annually. This economy is the result of an observation

by the Public Printer of a similar process in the British Government Printing Office, through courtesy of the controller of His

Majesty's Stationery Office,

The Post Office Department also uses annually many millions of

other blanks printed by the Government Printing Office, including

last year 187,827,000 notices of registered, insured, and C. O. D. mail,

20,000,000 registry dispatch cards, 33,395,000 return-receipt cards, and

15,000,000 change-of-address slips, which give some indication of the

activities of the Postal Service during a single year. PATEXT OFFICE PEIXTIXG RAXKS HIGH

The Patent Office continues to rank third in the amount of printing ordered annually of the Govermiient office; in fact, its 1929

expenditure of $1,047,902.85 for printing patent specifications and

the Patent Gazette was the largest sum spent by any one bureau

or office. The charges were $70,693.44 more than for 1928. This

cost does not include the reproduction of drawings for current
20 Aymual Report of the Piiblic Printer

issues of patents or the reprinting of exhausted copies, which are procured by the Patent Office under contracts awarded to commercial

lithographers.

A total of 5,689,408 copies of specifications for patents, trademarks, and designs were printed in the fiscal year 1929, an increase

of 334,324 copies over the preceding year. The type pages for the

1929 specifications totaled 153,316, as compared with 142,073 pages

of the 1928 specifications, an increase of 11.243. During the year

3,205 more patents, trade-marks, and designs were printed than in

1928.

There were 316,938 copies of the weekly Patent Gazette printed in

the fiscal year 1929, which was 37,802 more than in 1928. Printing

and binding the Gazette in 1929 cost $229,222.21.

SECTION FOR PATENT WORK ENLARGED

To keep pace with the constant increase of printing for the Patent

Office, the special section devoted to that work in the Government

Printing Office was enlarged during the year by the addition of

20 more typesetting machines, bringing the number assigned exclusively to patent work up to 64 machines. The product of these

machines keeps six presses running much of the time. The installation of two new perfecting presses has reduced by one-half the

presswork time on the Patent Gazette. A number of new economies in the printing of patent specifications were made effective during the year, which will facilitate the work

of this office in the handling of approximately 1,000 patent specifications every week throughout the year. The patents section was rearranged recently and is now one of the

best planned and most convenient workrooms in the office. It is quite capable of handling the increase of work that is coming from

the Patent Office, which was flooded with 114,688 applications last year. Of that number, 92,221 related to patents, but the Patent Office was able to approve only 47,147 specifications for printing during the

year. PATENT COPY PREPARATION COSTLY

Copy for patent specifications presents the most difficult task in

Government printing owing to its lack of proper preparation by the

Patent Office for the usual methods of typesetting and proof reading.

Only part of the vast number of amendments are inserted at the

proper places in the voluminous specifications as submitted to this

office for printing. Therefore, the copy editors, linotype operators,

proof readers, and revisers in the Government Printing Office are re- quired to search through the mass of papers accompanying each
Annual Report of the Public Printer 21

patent to find amendments for insertion at their proper places in the

text of the specifications.

Often several amendments are written on the same sheet of paper^

which, under Patent Office rules, can not be cut or marked. So it is necessary for the editors in the Government Printing Office either to copy the amendments or to indicate their proper location for both the

linotype operator and the proof reader.

If the copy could be cut by the editor or the amendments inserted

in their proper place by the Patent Office, the printing of specifications would be greatly expedited and done at much less cost than

under the present slow and cumbersome method prescribed by the

Patent Office. As it is, copy editors, proof readers, and linotype

operators, who are paid $1.10 per hour by the Government Printing

Office, do a large amount of work that could and should be handled

by minor clerks in the Patent Office. DISCUSSION WITH THE PATENT OITICE

This awkward and costly procedure has been discussed with the

Patent Office for several years and some improvement has recently

been made in the preparation of its copy. But in the 47,147 patent

specifications edited by the Government Printing Office during the

fiscal year 1929 there were 18,577 separate amendments, making

30,264 lines, which should have been written into the text of the

specifications by the Patent Office instead of submitted on separate

sheets. The failure to do so made it necessary for the Government

Printing Office to complete this work.

It is really remarkable under such adverse conditions that specificacations are printed with so few mistakes as have been reported to

this office. Only 16 patents out of the 47,147 printed during the

fiscal year 1929 were returned for reprinting on account of typographical errors. The Public Printer has suggested to the Patent Office that the

present cumbersome form in which specifications are submitted for

printing could easily be improved by supplying amendments in

duplicate so that one copy might be cut for proper insertion in the

respective specifications. But, as yet, the Commissioner of Patents

has declined to agree to this proposal, which he says would provoke

objection by patent attorneys. If the suggested improvement in pre- paring patent specifications could be made effective, the Public

Printer would gladly assure the Patent Office a material reduction

in the charges for its printing.

The only progress made thus far in the better preparation of pat- ent specifications copy has been to induce the Patent Office to insert some amendments of a few words and to request attorneys not to
22 Annual Report of the Puilic Printer

split the text of an amendment between two pages. This improvement has materially reduced the time lost by operators in trying to

locate " run-over " amendments which were a serious handicap in

the effort to print the specifications within the prescribed time limit

and at a reasonable cost. WORK FOR THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS

The Department of Commerce, exclusive of the Patent Office,

obtained printing and binding for its other activities in the fiscal year 1929 at a cost of $796,857.81, an increase of $4,392.60 over the

preceding year. Including the Patent Office, the total amount of printing charged

to the Department of Commerce for the fiscal year 1929 was

$1,844,760.66. With a larger amount of work in prospect for the

decennial census of 1930, it is quite likely that the cost of printing

for the Department of Commerce may lead the customers of the

Government Printing Office next year. Publications printed for the Department of Commerce in the fiscal year 1929 totaled 5,992,372 copies, 1,050,516 copies more than in the

preceding year. The Treasury Department, another large printing customer,

spent $929,992.81, which was $37,810.96 less than for the preceding

year. Treasury publications in 1929 totaled 3,509,507 copies, a

decrease of 1,610,693 from the number of copies printed in 1928.

Income-tax returns for 1929 required the printing of 62,650,000

blanlis, an increase of 12,315,000 over the preceding year. The Department of Agriculture likewise showed a decrease in

its printing during the fiscal year 1929, with an expenditure of

$803,828.88, which was $81,057.35, or 9 per cent, less than in 1928.

Agricultural publications during the year decreased 24 per cent, or 7,673,810 less copies than were printed in 1928, the number of

copies for 1929 being 31,823,869.

WAR AND NAVY PRINTING INCREASES

On the other hand, the War Department showed a material gain

in its publications, increasing the number of copies by 30 per cent. The total for the fiscal year 1929 was 13,853,211 copies, mostly

orders and regulations for the Army. War Department printing

cost $677,336.14 in 1929, an increase of $22,826.59 over 1928.

The Nav}^ Department kept pace with the War Department in

printing, which cost $675,065.11 for 1929, an increase of $60,677.07 over 1928. Navy publications for the year gained 7 per cent, with a

total of 2,143,557 copies, or 136,717 more than in 1928.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 23

Other departments and establishments issuing more publications

in the fiscal year 1929 than in 1928 were the Department of Labor,

with an increase of 229,474 copies ; the Interstate Commerce Commission, with an increase of 301,413 copies ; and the Interior Department,

with an increase of 29,317 copies ; the total number of copies printed

for each in 1929 being as follows: Labor, 1,903,496; Interstate Commerce Commission, 2,151,107 ; and Interior, 1,984,039.

orncE BUYS its own products

That the Government Printing Office is also a good purchaser of

its own products is shown by the fact that the Superintendent of

Documents paid the Public Printer the sum of $642,784.55 to print

publications for sale and depository library distribution during the

fiscal year 1929. The increase over 1928 was $23,756.84.

The Library of Congress is also an important patron, its expenditures with this office for the fiscal year 1929 amounting to $334,502.33.

Printing and binding for the Library in 1928 cost $343,853.76.

Work for the Library of Congress is done largely in the printing

and bindery branches which the Government Printing Office maintains in the Library building. The printing branch has 6 linotype

machines, 5 presses, and an annual average of 21 employees. They

are engaged largely in printing library catalogue cards which

totaled 20,429,200 for the fiscal year 1929, an increase of 1,820,090 over the preceding year. Of this number 3,904,000 were reprinted

by the offset process in the main office. The Library bindery branch is completely equipped for library

repair work and has an annual average of 58 employees on its rolls. Their workmanship in the repair and restoration of rare books and

manuscripts for library preservation is of the highest class and

has been greatly commended by the Librarian of Congress.

JUSTICE LEADS IN " RUSH " ORDERS

The Department of Justice has taken the lead in recent years in

demanding that the Government Printing Office " rush " nearly all the printing for that department. The extra charge to the Department of Justice for " rush " work in 1929 was $6,984.57. The total expenditure by all departments and establishments of the Government for that purpose in 1929 was $26,253.98 or $2,123.59 more than

in 1928.

The total extra charges for " rush " work for the nine years, 1921-

1929, was $249,290.47, of which the Treasury Department paid

$84,329.79, mostly in the first three years, and the Department of

Justice $30,709.30, mostly in the last four years.
24 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The extra charge for " rush " work is 50 per cent, which is neces- sary on account of the additional labor required to expedite such

orders by displacing other jobs in the regular course of production.

That is especially difficult, as practically all printing for Congress,

particularly bills, reports, hearings, and the Congressional Eecord,

must be treated as " rush " work and produced overnight for delivery the following morning. Any interruption with this program

imposes an extra burden and an additional expense on the office. SAVING IN REDUCTION OF ANNUAL REPORTS

The action of Congress in adopting a recommendation of the Senate

Committee on Appropriations authorizing heads of departments and

establishments to reduce and discontinue the unnecessary printing of

many annual reports since 1920 has saved approximately $1,500,000

in the last nine years. Since 1920, the original copies of reports not

printed are kept on file in the respective offices for public inspection

as provided by law.

The annual reports for the fiscal year 1928, printed in 1929, cost $210,631.10, as compared with $360,436.65 for the reports of 1920,

the last year for which all reports were printed. The printed

reports for 1928 contained 25,111 type pages compared with 58,940

pages in the reports for 1920. Of the 1928 reports, 436,997 copies were printed, and of the 1920 reports, 481,708 copies.

To print the Annual Reports of the Public Printer for the nine

fiscal years, 1921-1929, the cost was $7,730.56, and for the nine fiscal years, 1912-1920, $45,520.11, showing a saving to this office alone of

$37,789.55 by the reduced size of its annual reports.

CONGRESS CAUSES CONGESTION OF WORK

Owing to the extra session of Congress and the vast quantity of

printing required for the revision of the tariff, the Government

Printing Office was fiooded with work during the early months of

the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1929, and the great demand for

printing has continued to date. The congestion was increased by

the additional printing which always comes from a change in the

principal administrative officers of the Government. In addition,

the office took on a large amount of new work for the District of

Columbia, including its schools, and also began the production of

blank books and standard forms in large quantities.

Soon after the beginning of the present fiscal year, July 1, 1929,

there was a brief slowing up of work by the inauguration of a new

leave policy requiring emploj^ees to take half of their annual leave

during the summer months, when Congress usually is not in session. It was thought that with only the Senate in session considering the
Anmial Report of the Public Printer 25

tariff bill at that time there would be less congressional printing and

that a smaller force could keep up with current requirements, but it was found difficult to do so. However, now that the principal leave

period has been passed, there will be a steadier force at work for

the remainder of the fiscal year, which will insure greatly increased

production.

DEIVE TO COMPLETE 60 -DAT-OLD JOBS

To meet this abnormal situation the Public Printer ordered a special drive early in October to finish all work that had been in

the office more than 60 days. On October 14 there were 2,133 jackets

(work registers) of such old jobs on hand. By January 6, 1930, the

number was reduced to 488, a decrease of 1,645, which is considered

a splendid accomplishment.

Of the 488 old jobs listed on January 6, there were 88 out on

proof to the departments, leaving only 400 pending in this office. The printing division on that date had only 135 old jobs, of which

85 were out on proof. On October 14 the printing division had

653 old jobs, of which 395 were out on proof.

On October 4 there was a total of 7,995 jobs pending in the Government Printing Office. As a result of the vigorous effort to expedite

both the old and current work, the number of jobs on hand was

reduced by January 6 to 5,836, a decrease of 2,159, and 966 less than were on hand at the corresponding time last year. Many of the long-pending jobs were delayed on account of slowness in the return of proofs by various departments and establishments. In order to expedite this work and relieve the office of the

large accumulation of type awaiting proofs, the Public Printer

decided that it would be necessary to request the return of proofs

within 30 days. The departments were notified that, beginning November 30, 1929, printing requisitions would be canceled on failure to submit proofs within the specified time.

NOTICE TO RETURN OUTSTANDING PROOFS

The following notice was issued by the Public Printer under date

of November 1, when the proofs on approximately 200 jobs had been

held by authors for more than 30 days

Your attention is respectfully invited to the attached list of proofs which were sent out more than 30 days ago, but have not as yet been returned to this

oflQce. The long delay in returning proofs seriously interferes with our work

and prevents the rendering of more expeditious service, which would be possible if proofs were not withheld for such long periods.

The holding of proofs by various departments and establishments of the Government has so filled this office with uncompleted work that it has become

difficult to handle more urgent jobs with the promptness required.
26 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Therefore, it has been deemed necessary to adopt a rule canceling requisitions for printing delayed by failure to return within 30 days the proofs submitted

by this oflSce. The cost of the uncompleted work will be charged against the canceled requisition. Another requisition will be required if it is desired to continue the work, which will then be taken up in due course according to the date of the new order. The new rule will become effective on and after November 30, 1929. In the meantime, it is hoped that the outstanding proofs will be returned promptly

so that there will be no need to cancel requisitions for any work now in progress or hereafter ordered. In compliance with the foregoing notice many old proofs were

returned, and on December 1 it was necessary to cancel only 62

requisitions on account of withheld proofs. In January 22 other

requisitions were similarly canceled. These orders may be renewed

later, but in fairness to those who return their proofs within a rea- sonable time the revived orders will be classed as new work.

It is quite evident that there would be little or no need for

departments to retain proofs any considerable length of time, as has been the frequent practice, if the manuscripts were correctly

written and edited before they are sent to the printer to be put

in type.

HOLDING TYPE HANDICAPS THE OFFICE

Another source of trouble is the increasing amount of old type

which the Public Printer has been requested to retain in page form

for possible reprinting at some later time. An inventory completed on December 4, 1929, showed approximately 60,000 pages of type held

in storage for the various departments and establishments. The

Department of Commerce occupied the largest space with 13,809

pages of type held for reprints. The Navy Department had 5,843

pages of type in storage, and the War Department 5,162 pages.

These pages of type required careful handling and safeguarding and

occupied space needed for current work which is already overcrowding the office. The storage situation became so serious last September, with

requests to hold 8,250 additional pages of type, that the Public

Printer decided to charge storage for type held on order. It was

decided to begin the new charge at a nominal rate of 15 cents per octavo page for storage of six months or less. CHARGE IS MADE FOR STORAGE OF TYPE

Accordingly, the following regulations governing the storage of

type in the Government Printing Office have been issued for the

information of the departments and other establishments of the

Government
Animal Report of the Public Printer 27

On and after January 1, 1930, a charge for storage of type ordered to be

held by departments and independent establishments will be made in accord- ance with accompanying schedule. In the event request to retain is not

received by February 1, 1930, type now in storage will be melted. If requested

to retain, storage charge will be made as of January 1, 1930. SCHEDULE OF CHAEGES

Octavo page or smaller : Fifteen cents per page for 6 months or less , 25

cents per page for more than 6 months but not over 1 year. Larger than octavo page: Twenty cents per page for 6 months or less, 30

cents per page for more than 6 months but not over 1 year. Type will not be retained beyond period charged unless an additional

requisition is submitted for the purpose. No type will be held longer than

one year unless by special arrangement with the Public Printer. No type will be kept standing except as indicated and charged on original

requisition.

Charge for holding type will not apply to publications originating in Congress, or type held for convenience of the Government Printing OflBce, but

storage will be charged for all other type if held for subsequent reprint, consolidation, or " pick-up " in any form. Request to hold type will not affect the right of the Public Printer, under law

(sec. 25, act of 1895), to plate w^hen needed. No charge for storage of plates for reasonable period will be made.

VAST STORAGE OF TYPE PAGES AXD PLATES

In addition to the storage of approximately 60,000 pages of type

held for future reprinting, there are constantly many thousands of

additional pages and galleys of " live " type on hand, going through

the different processes of printing or awaiting the return of proofs

from the departments. The total number of active and stored pages

of type is approximately 200,000.

In the vaults of the office also are stored more than 1,500,000

electrotype and stereotype plates, held for reprint orders. It is necessary from time to time to request permission to melt useless

plates so as to regain the metal for further service and to secure space for new plates. During the year 242,000 plates were melted,

and approximately 550,000 pounds of metal returned to active use. authors' ALTERATIONS AGAIN EXPENSIVE

Authors' alterations not due to typographical errors added $215,-

734.4:8 to the cost of printing in the fiscal year 1929, an increase of

$22,915.54 over the expenditure caused by authors in the preceding

year. Congress headed the list of authors' alterations with a charge

of $51,918.75, and took first place from the Department of Commerce.

An author's alterations on the proofs of one congressional publication

printed during the year cost $16,786.66, which was more than the

entire charge for setting the original copy in type.
28 Annual Beport of the Public Printer

The Department of Commerce expended $22,220.51 in 1929 for type

changes required by its writers after their manuscripts had been

put into printed form. Other departments were more reluctant to

alter their proofs, the War Department ranking next to Commerce

with an expenditure of $16,888.66 on that account. In the nine fiscal years, 1921-1929, during which the Government

Printing Office has kept a special account of the charges for authors'

alterations, the total cost has been $1,825,786.09. The largest charge was to the Department of Commerce, amounting to $234,156.57.

MUCH EDITING DONE ON PRINTED PROOFS

As shown by the enormous cost of authors' alterations, much re- writing and editing is done after the original manuscripts have been

printed in proof form. Such procedure is not only very costly and

grossly wasteful but also delays the publication affected by the

mystifying and time-consuming alterations. Often it takes longer

to make the changes noted on the proofs than was required to set up the job in the first place. In many instances it has taken less time and been more economical to reset the entire text as altered

rather than correct it as marked on the proofs.

Undoubtedly^, a considerable part of the expense of authors' altera- tions could be avoided by the correct writing and editing of copy

before it is sent to the printer.

Therefore it is again urged that departmental authors prepare

their manuscripts properly and completely before printing and that

they discontinue the costly practice of rcAvriting their manuscripts on the printed proofs.

In this connection attention is invited to the following timely

statement in the annual report of the Permanent Conference on

Printing and the Bureau of the Budget under date of June 30, 1929

The practice of many authors of making corrections after page proof has been

submitted by the printer has again been brought to the attention of the conference. While investigation shows that this evil is being corrected gradually, there is still room for improvement, and those who submit manuscripts for printing are again asked to so prepare their copy that extensive changes will not be necessary after the material has been put in type. COMMITTEE PREPARING NEAV STYLE MANUAL

With the hope of securing more uniform preparation of copy as well as better style of printing, the Public Printer has undertaken a thorough revision of the Style Manual of the Government Printing

Office. To aid in this work and to benefit from their able advice,

several other branches of the Government service were invited to designate representatives to join with the style board of the Government Printing Office in the preparation of a new Manual of Style
Annual Report of the Public Printer 29

for Government printing. Acceptances by the Secretary of State,

the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Sec- retary of Commerce, the Librarian of Congress, and the Secretary

of the Smithsonian Institution are greatly appreciated by the Public

Printer.

The joint advisory committee so selected is now engaged in a complete revision of the present manual for consideration by the

Public Printer in determining the forms and style of Government

jDrinting and binding. It will require several months to complete

the work, but it is believed that the time so spent will be of great

value to the entire Government service as well as to this office. STYLE DETERMINED BY THE PUBLIC PRINTER

Style manuals have been published by the Government Printing

Office from time to time for many years under authority of section

51 of the printing act of 1895, which provides that

The forms and style in whicli the printing or binding ordered by any of the departments shall be executed, and the material and the size of type to be used,

shall be determined by the Public Printer, having proper regard to economy, workmanship, and the purposes for which the work is needed. Although originally intended for official use in the Government

Printing Office as a guide to composition and proof reading, the

manuals have been of service to other branches of the Government

in preparing copy for printing and in establishing rules for spelling, capitalization, syllabication, punctuation, abbreviations, etc. Under date of February 15, 1922, the Permanent Conference on

Printing approved and adopted the Government Printing Office Style Manual as the style to be followed thereafter in all Government departments and independent bureaus. At the same time the

Joint Committee on Printing also expressed its approval of the Style

Manual.

A limited revision and reprint of the manual was issued in 1928

to meet the needs of the Government Printing Office, but as many

important changes and improvements have been proposed, it has

been deemed advisable to undertake a more complete revision of the

manual with the aid and advice of the committee now at work.

EFEORT MADE TO SIMPLIFY TYPE FACES

In an effort to simplify type faces used for Government printing

the Public Printer recently caused a thorough inventory to be made

of all the type on hand, including linotype, monotype, ludlow, and

foundry type faces. This survey has revealed that the office had in

stock approximately 650 fonts of display type faces which were suffi- ciently obsolete or of such little use as to justify discontinuance.
30 Annual Report of the Puhlic Printer

The elimination of these fonts has resulted in abolishing 75 obsolete type faces and will facilitate the adoption of more suitable type

for better typography in both book and job composition. It is planned also to procure several additional faces, which the Government Printing Office needs for the better class of printing to keep

pace with progress in the art. Of the 650 fonts discarded, 435 were foundry type for hand composition, of which this office now does very little owing to the large

installation of typesetting machines. The obsolete faces of foundry

type range from 6 to 72 points in size. In addition, 181 fonts of

monotype from 6 to 36 points and 34 fonts of linotype of miscellane- ous character were discarded.

Fully a ton of obsolete foundry types was taken out of the branch

office in the Library of Congress, reducing its stock of type faces

from 35 to 15, which are deemed more appropriate for library

printing.

TYPE FONTS REDUCED FROM 1,113 TO 650

Due to the gradual accumulation of types bought from time to time since the establishment of the Government Printing Office in

1861, the office had acquired a total of 107 faces representing various

periods of antiquity. These faces ranged from 6 to 72 points in size,

totaling 1,113 fonts of type. The discarding of 650 fonts has

greatly reduced the stock, but there is plenty of type left for a further simplification at another time.

With the 32 faces still on hand in complete series, the office has a

sufficient variety of types to meet all reasonable requirements for

Government printing. However, printing is not a mere manufacturing process, and types ought not to be standardized like paving

bricks. A sufficient variety of good faces should always be available

for proper expression of " the art preservative of all the arts." SOME LETTERS OF COMMENDATION

Letters commending the work of the Government Printing Office are always called to the attention of those responsible for the good

service so that they may know their efforts have been appreciated by

others as well as by the Public Printer. It seems fitting, therefore,

to include a few of these courteous communications in this report

that the public also may know something of the good work that has

been done by the Government Printing Office. Accordingly it af- fords the Public Printer great pleasure to quote as follows from

some of the letters of appreciation received during the last year:
Anmcal Report of the Piiblic Printer 31

From Director of the Bureau of the Budget, Col. J. Clawson Koop

I wish to extend my thanks to you and your corps of able assistants in Kionnection with the printing of the Budget for 1931. Captain Moorhead and

^Messrs. Barnhart, Mitchell, and Phillips have cooperated with us to the fullest •extent in producing this important work in so limited a time. The annual book of the Budget as transmitted to Congress has

<;ome in recent years to be one of the biggest publications of the

Oovernment, and its printing is by far the most important job this

office has to do each year on schedule time. This book of 1,500

pages of tabular matter, quarto size, has to be set up and bound anew

every year in less than six weeks' time so as to be available for the

opening of Congress each December.

From the Comptroller General of the United States, Hon J. K.

McCarl:

I wish to express my appreciation of the helpful service which you have

rendered and are rendering in the printing of Government accounting forms,

especially the printing and distribution of the standard forms. From the Secretary of War, Hon. Dwight F. Davis

The advance copies of the Army Register for 1929 have been received. Despite the fact that the new feature in this year's publication, i. e., the emergency oflacers' retired list, delayed work in this office, your effective co- operation and helpful assistance resulted in the very early production of this document.

I trust you will accept my most cordial thanks for your assistance, and

I wish you would also say to the employees of your office how much the War

Department appreciates their cooperation.

From Hon. Elmer Thomas, United States Senator from Oklahoma : I wish to compliment you and your efficient force for the few errors permitted

to creep into the Congressional Record, because it is very seldom that any

corrections are necessary. From the Secretary of the United States Senate, Col. Edwin P.

Thayer

On April 23, 1929, 69 requisitions were written for envelopes, letterheads,

and copy paper; stationery for Senators that have changed committees and new Senators being placed on committees. Letterheads totaled 113,000, en- velopes 78,000, and copy paper 57,000. All of this stationery was delivered on

April 26. Your office is to be commended on making delivery of such a large

amount of stationery in three days' time. I am sure the Senators will appreciate this courtesy.

From the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Hon. Henry Herrick Bond

I wish to express my personal appreciation of your kindness in arranging

lor the expeditious handling of our Internal Revenue Regulations No. 74. I 72200—30 3
32 Annual Report of the Public Printer

realize that your office is working under unusual pressure due to the impending

adjournment of Congress, and I appreciate the fact that it was not an easy matter to give this large job special consideration. From the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aeronautics,

Hon. William P. MacCracken, jr.

As chairman of the executive committee of the recent International Civil Aeronautics Conference, I want to extend the thanks of the committee and

my own thanks to you for the services rendered to the Conference by the Government Printing Office. The task of preparing the book of papers submitted to the conference was

indeed a difficult one as were the numerous emergency printing orders which

had to be executed from time to time. I have heard nothing but praise for the work of the Government Printing Office in connection with the conference and I wish to thank you not only for the important contribution which you

made toward its success but also for the generous spirit of cooperation which

you and your organization demonstrated at all times. From the Executive Officer of the International Civil Aeronautic Conference, Maj. Leighton W. Kogers:

We had considerable work done for us at the Government Printing Office and

I take pleasure in saying that it was all done on time, more carefully than it seemed to me possible to hope for, and with a minimum of effort. From the Paymaster General of the Navy, Kear Admiral J. J. Cheatham

The Bureau of Supplies and Accounts desires to express to you its deep

appreciation of the very courteous and helpful cooperation of the Government

Printing Office in the printing of the new Bureau of Supplies and Accounts Manual (Requisition No. 2545, Jacket No. 48679).

The bureau is very much pleased with the way in which this printing job was handled and the careful compliance with our special requests regarding

the style and composition of the manual.

From the Director General of the Pan American iTnion, Dr. L. S. Kowe

I have your letter of June 8 and wish to assure you how deeply I appreciate your prompt and cordial response to my request. You have always been

so helpful to the Pan American Union that I always feel any request made

of you will be granted provided it is within your power to do so. From the Presiding Judge of the United States Court of Customs

and Patent Appeals, Hon. W. J. Graham

I desire to compliment your office on the expeditious manner in which it has

printed and bound the sixteenth volume of the reports of this court. This

volume was closed on the 1st of April last, and was received by me about September 15th. This, so far as I know, is a record. Usually we are obliged to wait about a year before we can get the last volume of our reports. This year we have the last year's decisions fully bound and indexed, and on hand to help us in our work during the coming year, which is a great advantage. I am

very pleased, and thought I ought to tell you so.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 33

From the Assistant Secretary of the United States National Museum, Mr. A. Wetmore

Permit me to say that I greatly appreciate tlie expedition with which the Government Printing Office has handled the matter of preparation of a distri- bution map of eastern Africa. Sudden need arose for the map in question due

to the impending departure of one of our workers for Africa for a year's absence. With the map in hand he can finish his reports before leaving, a

matter of considerable importance.

I hope that you will express to those concerned in the Government Printing

Office my appreciation of their cooperation in this matter. From the Director of the Bureau of Investigation, Department of

Justice, Mr. J. Edgar Hoover

I want to take this opportunity to express to you my sincere appreciation

of the recent splendid work of the Government Printing Office in printing a Manual of Rules and Regulations for the Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice. Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Barnhart, Mr. Summers, and Mr. Mitchell, of your office, were particularly cooperative and courteous to officials of the Bureau of In- vestigation in all matters connected with this printing.

The new manual is free from errors and is an excellent piece of work.

From the Chairman, United States Delegation to the World's

Dairy Congress, Hon. Renick W. Dunlap

In the inclosed page proof of the report of the Eighth International Dairy

Congress, * * * i want you to know that the man who checked this material for me spoke very highly of the proof reading which has been done on

this report. From the Director of Information, Department of Agriculture,

Mr. M. S. Eisenhower

When the Mediterranean fruit fly was discovered in Florida recently the Department of Agriculture's supply of bulletins pertaining to this dangerous

pest was exhausted. This, as you undoubtedly know, is the first infestation of the fruit fly in the United States. Because of the fact that the pest attacks

over 70 fruits and vegetables, it was of utmost importance that the educational

phase of the campaign of eradication be carried forward promptly.

The splendid cooperation which you and your associates in the Government

Printing Office extended in immediately reprinting Department Bulletin 640, which is being used effectively in this emergency, is very sincerely appreciated

by the Bureau of Entomology and officials of other bureaus in this department.

Another letter from the Director of Information, Department of

Agriculture

Will you please express to all the members of your staff who contributed to the result the appreciation of the Department of Agriculture for the quick and

satisfactory delivery of Miscellaneous Publication 44, The Agricultural Outlook, 1929, which was so urgently needed for distribution during the first week

in February? It is indeed gratifying to know that your organization responds

with such prompt and efficient cooperation, especially at a time when your

office is running at top speed incident to the closing days of a short session of Congress.
V 34 Annual Report of the Public Printer

I personally want to thank you and your people in the printing section, press- room, binding, and distribution sections for the splendid work in speeding up

the delivery of this important publication.

From the Chief of the Bureau of Chemistry and Soils, Department

of Agriculture, Mr. Henry G. Knight

I want particularly to express our appreciation of the whole-hearted cooperation shown by you and the binding division of your office in binding these books

for us. Every man in the bindery with whom we had occasion to come in contact was very courteous and cordial and showed a genuine spirit of interest and

willingness, which was very helpful in this work and which we deeply appreciate.

From the supervising special agent. Bureau of the Census, Mr.

H. H. Pierce

I am very grateful to you for your very comprehensive statement of March

26, in answer to my informal memorandum of March 8, asking the assistance

of the printing office in the selection of suitable papers for the population and

agriculture schedules for the Fifteenth Census. Your information and recommendations have made easy the determination of what seemed to be a perplexing problem. The officials of the Census Bureau

are appreciative of the helpfulness of the officials of the Government Printing

Office in all matters affecting the interests of the Fifteenth Census, and will be

pleased, when opportunity offers, to formally acknowledge the obligation.

From the chairman of the Inaugural Committee, Lieut. Col. U. S. Grant, 3d

At the request of the Inaugural Committee, you recently published a reprint

of a pamphlet entitled " Points of Historic Interest in the National Capital."

The republication of the pamphlet for the inaugural was, in my opinion, of

great benefit, and I appreciate the work done by your office in getting it out during the period when there was much other work on your hands. From the clerk of the Joint Committee on Printing, Mr. Ansel

Wold

Permit me to express my sincere appreciation for the magnificent work

accomplished by the employees of the Government Printing Office in producing

the Biographical Directory of the American Congress for 1927. From the standpoint of typography it certainly is a work of art, for which

your office is entitled to great credit, and I desire to express through you my

sincere thanks to those whx) participated in the publication of this volume for

their untiring efforts, genuine interest, and uniform courtesy so generously

manifested during the long and arduous task. The efficient service and hearty cooperation of yourself and the employees in your organization who assisted on this job have been a large factor in bringing this publication to a final conclus'on and it is hereby most gratefully

acknowledged.

From the secretary of the Boy Scouts of America, Mr. E. S. Martin

I want to express my appreciation for the very helpful way in which the Government Printing Office made possible our annual report for the annual

meeting here in New York.

Will you please express to Mr. Mitchell and to the other men who helped in

[lutting this job through my sincere personal appreciation of their helpfulness.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 35

SALE OF GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS

The sale of Government publications has come to be one of the

most important and profitable activities of the Government Printing

Office. In the last 10 years the receipts amounted to $4,723,316.46,

of which, after reimbursing the Public Printer for the cost of printing and binding, there was deposited in the Treasury a surplus of

$1,391,622.84 for other appropriation by Congress. Eeceipts in the

fiscal year 1929 amounted to $705,802.41, an increase of $505,062.42 over the sales for 1919.

Undoubtedly, the sale of Government publications could be in- creased still further if Congress would authorize the Public Printer

to establish sales agents for more convenient service to the public.

Under the present law the sales price of Government publications

is fixed at reprint cost plus 10 per cent, and resale by others for a

profit is forbidden. This restriction prevents book dealers from

receiving any compensation for handling Government publications;

in fact, they generally sustain a loss, for the Government exacts the same price of the book dealer as he is permitted to charge his cus- tomer, without any allowance for expense of handling. If the book

dealer has to remaii a Government publication he must pay the

postage, although the Superintendent of Documents can mail direct to the customer free of postage.

Such discrimination and lack of remuneration have greatly handicapped the sale of Government publications by book dealers and

others, who undoubtedly would be willing for a fair profit to assist in

serving the public at convenient and customary places of sale. BOOK AGENCY PLAN IS PROPOSED

It is proposed, therefore, that the Public Printer be authorized

to fix the prices and terms for the sale of Government publications

at not less than cost, permitting the allowance of a discount to regular dealers who could then afford to sell at the price fixed by the

Goverimient. The public would thus have the advantage of service from their regular book dealers or the Government Printing Office at a uniform charge. Other Governments have a similar plan of

selling through book dealers, and it has proven of great benefit to

all concerned.

As an additional aid in the sale of Government publications, the

suggestion is submitted that other officers of the Government be

permitted also to act as agents of the Superintendent of Documents,

so the public may have more convenient places for the purchase of

Government books and pamphlets.

All these facilities would be certain to increase the sale of publications and render good service to the public as well as profit to the

Government.
36 Annual Report of the Public Printer

To make the foregoing proposal effective, the following tentative

draft of appropriate legislation is submitted for the consideration of

Congress

Be it enacted ly the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States

of America in Congress assembled, That the Public Printer is hereby authorized

to print and bind additional, copies of any Government publication, not deemed

confidential, which the Superintendent of Documents shall requisition for sale at not less than cost as determined by the Public Printer, who shall also fix the prices and terms therefor; and the receipts from such sales in excess of the cost shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of miscellaneous receipts: Provided, That the Superintendent of Documents

may designate any Government ofiicer his agent for the sale of Government

publications as shall be agreed upon by the Public Printer and the head of the

respective department or establishment of the Government.

Sec. 2. All acts and parts of acts otherwise regulating the sale of Government

publications by the Superintendent of Documents are hereby repealed.

LARGE SALES STOCK IS AVAILABLE

Available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents is a stock

of 6,000,000 copies of more than 65,000 different publications that

date back to the establishment of the Government Printing Office

nearly 70 years ago. The sales during the fiscal year 1929 consisted

of 490,314 cash orders, an increase of 20,385 over the preceding year

and 327,414 more than in 1919.

Although the public has been warned repeatedly that postage

stamps are not acceptable in payment for publications, inasmuch as the Government with its free mailing privilege has no use of its own for stamps, the remittances last year included $13,759.79 in

postage stamps. The Post Office Department declines to redeem

stamps, but fortunately most of them have been used in mailing

foreign orders and thus were not returned to the senders.

The sale of Government publications by dealers would also curtail

the troublesome handling of stamps as well as the individual remittances of money orders and personal checks, which totaled 228,446 in

the fiscal year 1929.

The handling of such a large number of stamps, checks, and money

orders causes a vast amount of accounting work, which has been

doubly complicated and safeguarded by recent regulations of the

Comptroller General.

FREE DISTRIBUTION IS ENORMOUS

Another continuous operation of the Public Documents Division

under the direction of the Superintendent of Documents is the stocking and mailing of vast numbers of copies of Government publications for free distribution by the various departments and establish-
Annual Report of the Public Printer 37

ments of the Government. During the fiscal year 1929 this free

distribution amounted to 44,398,483 copies of various departmental

publications.

The regular mailing lists maintained by this office for the departments number 636 and include 697,857 names of persons who were

designated to receive copies of specified publications, mostly free of

charge. In addition, thousands of individual mailings were made

by this office, besides 7,156,000 copies of farmers' bulletins sent out on orders by Members of Congress.

The vast free distribution for the departments does not include

approximately 600,000 copies of publications delivered during the

year to the folding rooms of the Senate and the House of Eepresentatives for gratuitous distribution by Members of Congress.

PREPARATION OF DOCUMENTS CATALOGUES

Progress has been made in the effort to bring up to date the preparation and printing of the big catalogues of all Government publications issued during each Congress. The Documents Catalogue for

the Sixty-sixth Congress, covering the period 1919-1921, was available on Xovember 1, 1929. It is almost as large as that published for

the Sixty-fifth Congress, which includes the record-breaking number

of publications for the World War. The catalogue for the Sixtysixth Congress contains 2,422 pages of entries, being only 285 pages

less than the catalogue for the period of the Sixty-fifth Congress,

1917-1919.

Work is well along on the Documents Catalogue for the Sixtyseventh Congress and has been started on that for the Sixty-eighth

Congress. It is hoped to complete both of these catalogues by July

1, 1930, and then finish two catalogues a year until this long-delayed

task has been brought up to date. The overwhelming amount of work required for the Documents

Catalogue of the war period and the impossibility, until recently, of

obtaining an adequate force of cataloguers, caused this great undertaking to get almost hopelessly behind the time in which it otherwise

would have been completed.

The mimeographing and multigraphing of many Government

publications has also added greatly to the work of the indexers

and cataloguers on the rolls of the Superintendent of Documents.

Prior to April 25, 1927, very few copies of such publications were

received by this office, but since then immense quantities have been

submitted regularly.

Beginning with the Seventieth Congress, it is planned to have all mimeographed and multigraphed publications of a permanent character listed in the Documents Catalogue issued biannually.
38 Annual Report of the Public Printer

DESIGNATION OF DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES

Distribution of Government publications to depository libraries

continues to be a serious problem for the Superintendent of Documents, who has that work in charge. The number of different publications sent to depository libraries in the fiscal year 1929 was 4,092,.

and the total number of copies forwarded to all depository libraries

in that year was 1,196,148.

There are now 492 depository libraries to which copies of Government publications must be sent according to law. The total possible

designation of depository libraries by law and by order of Members

of Congress is 663, showing that the privilege is still available to 171

other libraries, if they can qualify for selection.

A library can not be removed from the list of depositories after once selected, except when it ceases to exist or voluntarily requests

to be dropped. Although originally there was only one depository

library for each congressional district, except as otherwise designated

by law, the decennial reapportionments of the House of Representatives and consequent changes of congressional district boundaries

have sometimes placed more than one depository library in a district. In that event, the original designation is permitted to continue, and

a newly created district without a depository may obtain another

library designation.

The rapidly growing number of Government publications has

proved a burden to many depository libraries that are unable to provide room for an accumulation requiring annually of each library

approximately 150 feet of shelf space. SELECTION PLAN FOR DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES

In recent years the annual appropriations for the Government

Printing Office provide that no part of the sum for the Superintendent of Documents shall be used to supply depository libraries

with publications not requested by such libraries. This provision

resulted in the selection plan of distribution, but as yet it has not been perfected to the satisfaction of either the libraries or this office. It is hoped to work out a more practical method of depository

library distribution and thus be able to furnish depository libraries

all the publications that are of real interest to their respective readers, while at the same time end the gross waste of publications that

are of little or no use to many depositories.

The appropriation for supplying books to depository libraries

amounts to $85,000 annually, and this sum is practically exhausted

every year.
Annual Report of the PtiMic Printer 39

PROGRESS ON EXTENSION TO MAIN BUILDING

Slow progress was made during the year in constructing the 8-story

and garage extension of the main building of the Government Printing Office. The delay was due partly to unexpected foundation

troubles and partly to a strike which caused a standstill of all work

on the extension for two months.

The contract required completion of the building by May 11, 1930.

However, the delays will make it impossible to complete the work

until about next September. The Government Printing Office will

thus have had to wait more than four years for the much-needed

extension which the Public Buildings Commission approved on May

25, 1926. At that time the Treasury Department was directed to pre- pare building plans for the expenditure of $1,250,000 in accordance

with the Public Printer's recommendation.

The land purchases and condemnation proceedings, although in- volving property that cost only $27,486.60, consumed nearly two

years' time before building operations could be started under the

contracts awarded by the Treasury Department.

On account of the long delays the extension was only about 50 per

cent completed on December 26, 1929. The pictures printed on the

inside of the front and back covers of this report show the condition

of the building at that time.

All the steel work has been erected for the 8-story extension and

the garage, which will contain 173,500 square feet of floor space. Six

floors and the basement have been concreted, and the outside brickwork finished up to the third floor. Plumbing, heating, and electrical work is progressing as the floors become available. The garage has

been inclosed and could be used now if not occupied by the building

contractors as a temporary workshop.

PLANS FOR OCCUPATION OF NEW SPACE

Plans and preparations have been completed for occupying the

extension as soon as it is ready next fall. Two floors have been

assigned to the division of construction and maintenance for its carpenter, paint, electrical, machine, pipe-fitting, and metal-working

shops, which will be moved from the old 4-story building. Two

other floors will be occupied by the clerical force and library of the

Superintendent of Documents. An entire floor will be devoted to special presswork and another one to the division of tests and technical control, including its laboratory, and ink and roller-making

sections.
40 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The extensive files of the office will be moved from their hazardous

location in the old fire-trap structure to the top floor of the fireproof

extension. An automatic conveyor 350 feet long will connect the

file room with the division of accounts. The first floor front on G Street side of the extension will be used

as a book store and sales office for the Superintendent of Documents.

A special lift and conveyor will keep the sales office in direct communication with the immense stock of publications stored nearly a

block away and will greatly facilitate prompt service to the public.

It is planned to make the sales office an attractive feature of the

new extension in the hope of further encouraging and increasing the

sale of Government publications. The location will be convenient to the street-car lines on Massachusetts Avenue and the principal motor

thoroughfare to the Union Railway Station close by. A prominent

electric sign will also indicate the new location of the Government

book store. Other space on the first floor of the extension, facing the alley,,

will be occupied by the large maintenance stores now located in the

old building.

Additional room will also be provided on other floors for necessary

expansion of the platemaking division.

Other space likewise has been reserved on the second floor for

additional Congressional Record presses which will be needed in a

short time.

GARAGE FOR FLEET OF MOTOR TRUCKS

The one-story garage has a street-level floor space 52 feet in width

by 175 feet in depth. A basement of equal size will be accessible

to motor trucks with the installation of a 16-ton elevator, the largest

in Washington. The garage will be big enough to store the entire'

fleet of 29 motor trucks and several automobiles required for hauling^

supplies and products. At present the office trucks and cars, when

not in use, ara stored in partially inclosed alleyways, interfering

seriously with the operations of the delivery section. The basement

of the garage will be used for truck repairs and dead storage.

The basement under the main extension will provide additional

«?pace for the storage of paper to be unloaded from trucks which will

be lowered by elevator to the level of the basement floor so as to minimize handling. A passageway at the same level will make it possible to haul paper and other materials to the large storage spaces

under the present main building.

With the removal of the shops and stores from the old 4-story

building at the corner of North Capitol and H Streets, that ancient

structure, erected in 1856, will be used as a warehouse for paper and

other materials. Unfortunately, owing to its age and weakened con-
Annual Report of the Public Printer 41

dition, the floor-load limits are very restricted. Less than half of

the space can be utilized with safety, according to load limits fixed

by engineers many years ago. OLD BUILDING SHOULD BE REPLACED

The old building, with its wooden floors and supports and its rambling interior construction, has been repeatedly condemned as a

fire trap and a serious hazard to the entire plant. It ought to be

torn down and replaced as soon as possible by a modern fireproof structure having a frontage of at least 384 feet on H Street and

175 feet on North Capitol Street, the space now occupied by the old

4-story building and the documents office. An 8-story building of

that size would cost approximately $4,000,000.

A new building is urgently needed for adequate warehouse facili- ties and for safe storage of the immense stock of valuable publications which this office has to maintain for sale and for use by other

departments of the Government. With the rapidly increasing work

of the Government Printing Office, additional room will also be

needed soon for the bindery and printing divisions. They are already badly crowded and have no other space available for

necessary expansion.

In such a structure space could also be provided for storing and

mailing the vast number of documents printed for distribution by

Members of Congress. These documents are now delivered to the

Capitol for storage and subsequently conveyed to the city post office, near the Government Printing Office, for transmission through the

mails.

Storage in a building adjacent to the Government Printing Office

would make it possible to carry all these publications only a short

distance from the workrooms to the new warehouse, from which an

automatic conveyor could deliver them direct to the city post office in a few minutes. In the same way the millions of publications

mailed annually by the Superintendent of Documents are now

carried by a belt conveyor, with a capacity of 360 sacks of mail an

hour, running from the documents building through a tunnel to the

city post office.STORAGE FOR CONGRESSIONAL DOCUMENTS

The plan here proposed would be far less expensive than the pres- ent slow and cumbersome method of handling the many hundred

thousand documents printed annually for congressional distribution.

But an even more important reason for the storage of documents

in a fireproof building at the Government Printing Office is that

there would no longer be need to use a large part of the Capitol as a
42 Annual Report of the Public Printer

warehouse for such inflammable materials. The recent fires which

seriously threatened to destroy the Capitol and the Executive Office

revealed again the grave danger that lurks in the accumulation of

old documents in places unsuited for such storage.

Therefore, the Public Printer suggests that it is timely to consider

the erection of another building at the Government Printing Office

for the storage and mailing of congressional documents, as well as

to provide a fireproof warehouse for its own great stores of documents, papers, and other valuable materials.

If Congress desires, it could continue control over its documents

stored in the Government Printing Office and designate the personnel required for that work in the same manner as the Senate and

House supervise their respective folding rooms. Separate and exclusive space could be assigned the documents for Senators and Members

with all the safeguards and service of the present folding rooms at the Capitol.

RECONSTKUCTION OF HARDING HALL

Harding Hall, the auditorium of the Government Printing Office,

named in honor of the first printer President, is now being recon- structed to provide more comfortable space for assemblage and

recreational use by employees. It is expected that the work will

be completed the latter part of February, 1930.

When the roof on the main building was raised in 1922 to convert its attic into an additional story for the cafeteria, the apprentice school, and the photo-engraving section, a large room was also

provided for assemblies of employees and for exhibitions, enter- tainments, lectures, and other purposes of benefit to the Government Printing Office. This utilization of the attic added a total of

45,000 square feet of serviceable floor space in the main building.

The low height of the hall was the same as the remainder of the

newly constructed eighth story, covered by a concrete roof with massive beams and girders supported at the center by a long row of large

columns. These obstacles were found to affect the acoustics of the

hall, and the columns interfered with the seating and view of the

audience. The low ceiling also prevented proper ventilation and

made the hall too hot for use during the summer months.

However, even with such handicaps, the hall was a great improvement over the old gathering place of employees on the stairs and in

the small hallways between the workrooms of the sixth and seventh

floors, where infrequent exercises were held before the opening of

the new hall.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 43

NEW AUDITORIUM TO SEAT 1,8 00 PERSONS

The popularity and usefulness of Harding Hall during the last seven years encouraged the Public Printer to propose its improvement. The plan received the cordial approval of the Joint Committee on Printing, which authorized the Public Printer to proceed

with the work. As a result, a new roof has been erected over the

hall, providing a ceiling height of 20% feet, and permitting "removal

of the center columns by the use of TO-foot steel trusses. Artistic

arched windows add much to the decoration of one side of the hall

and ventilator windows admit plenty of air and sunlight on the

other side. With a balcony for 300 persons, the seating capacity

of the reconstructed hall will be approximately 1,800.

The hall is to have a well-equipped stage, for which the Government Printing Office Cafeteria and Recreation Association has generously offered to contribute sufficient funds. In this connection,

the Public Printer desires to express hearty thanks to the Secre- tary of the Treasury for considerable equipment, including an elab- orate light-control board, which he kindly transferred to Harding

Hall from a theater acquired recently by the Government. This

board will control the stage and auditorium lighting with color and

dimming effects. A new system of heating and ventilation similar to that used in

modern auditoriums will be provided for the comfort of employees.

The plastering will be suitably ornamental and treated to improve

the acoustics of the hall. A fireproof projection room has been

built on the balcony, and the employees plan to equip it with motionpicture machines, so that from time to time they may enjoy enter- taining and educational pictures.

When the hall is not in use for other purposes, products of the

office will be placed on exhibition from time to time.

As soon as the hall is completed, the regular weekly concerts of

the 24-piece orchestra of employees will be resumed during lunch

periods on Fridays. These concerts have come to be one of the

most delightful and inspiring features of the office and are also

enjoyed by many visitors. CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHILDREN

On account of the reconstruction work, the Cafeteria and Eecreation Association was unable this year to hold its annual Christmas

treat and entertainment for the children of employees, but it is hoped

that these charming affairs will be resumed during the holidays of
44 Annual Report of the Public Printer

1930 and become a permanent event. The Christmas entertainment

of 1928 brought joy and good cheer to more than 2,000 children and

gladdened the hearts of everyone in the office. Such happy occasions more than compensate for all that has been expended to improve

Harding Hall for even more enjoyment in the future.

Part of the work of reconstructing the hall has been done under

contracts approved by the Joint Committee on Printing, and part

is being done by the division of construction and maintenance of

the Government Printing Office. The division has also been kept

very busy throughout the fiscal and calendar year 1929 with many

new projects for the improvement of the plant. It has also carried on the regular maintenance work, all of which is done by a force of

309 employees, including machinists, electricians, metal workers, pipe

fitters, carpenters, painters, and other building trades.

ADDITIONAL SPACE IN THE MAIN BUILDING

Several additional mezzanine floors were erected during the year

for lockers removed from the work floors to provide more space for

productive operations. The office now has 6,289 square feet of mezzanines, constructed in the last eight years to provide for lockers

and storage, which released for other use a similar amount of space on the work floors. Another workroom was added during the year by bridging over an open court and providing 1,430 square feet of floor space for bindery

storage and paste making. In all, 25,612 square feet of floor space

have been similarly added during the last eight years by partially

filling in the open court between two wings of the main building

and bridging over other available space. The reconstruction of the former attic of the main building into a full story and the acquisition and inclosing of an alley between the

buildings also added 56,520 square feet; making, in all, a total of

88,421 square feet of additional space that has been converted to good

use in the last few years. The limit of possible space within the present property has now

been reached, and no further room can be provided until the new

extension is completed.

With the new extension and garage, the Government Printing

Office will then occupy a total of 952,918 square feet, i'ncluding the

space used by its employees in the Capitol and the Library of

Congress.

STRAIGHT-LINE LAYOUT FOR PRODUCTION

Extensive rearrangement of the machinery and equipment in

several of the large workrooms required the moving of many machines and shop furnishings as well as the building of considerable
Annual Report of the Piiblic Printer 45

new equipment, during the past year. This work also kept the

•construction sections very busy for several months. In planning

the new layouts for the workrooms, the Public Printer sought to adopt the most efficient methods of straight-line production, so as

to lessen the labor and better the working conditions for employees.

In carrying out this program during the summer and fall of 1929,

radical changes were made in the arrangement of a number of major

work sections, including the monotype correcting and assembling

room, the linotype section, the imposing, lock-up, and title-page

groups, the electrotype and stereotype sections, the job pressroom,

and several sections of the bindery. All of these changes have worked

out satisfactorily and greatly expedite handling the work in a more

orderly and systematic manner. An interesting feature of the innovations was the installation of a 48-foot belt conveyor, operated by motor power, for carrying galleys

of type direct from the monotype casting room through a hallway to the assemblers in another room. The automatic conveyor relieves

employees of continually carrying from one room to another the

immense output of 129 type-casting machines which formerly they

had to handle. Now these employees can devote more time to casting operations. The conveyor has been operating successfully

for several months and has already saved in labor expense more

than its cost.PRODUCTION MANAGER REPORTS IMPROVEMENT

The recent rearrangement of the workrooms has been commended

as follows in the annual report of the production manager:

Under the Public Printer's personal supervision the machinery and equipment of the entire printing division has been rearranged to be more in line with modem production methods. One of the first moves was to consolidate the work of hand compositors employed in the monotype section, so that closer supervision could be had and at the same time move about a third of the compositors from a position where it was difficult to get proper ventilation and

where it was necessary to work under artificial light day and night. In the new location there is excellent daylight and ample ventilation. The old location

is used for the storage of type only. Also, the make-up banks and the proof presses were all placed in one central

location in the monotype correcting room, instead of being scattered over the whole room in six different locations. The centralizing of the proof presses has resulted in one man doing the proving most of the time instead of three, thereby releasing two men for regular composition work. The sliding bank,

iused for galleying the type from the casting machines, was moved to a location

in the casting room that reduces by about 50 per cent the walking distance

of the castermen, and at the same time permitted the installation of a belt- iconveyor system to convey the type from the casting to the assembling room. The next change was to move the foundry lock-up group from the sixth floor to the seventh. Formerly all matter to be locked up for the foundry was set ;and made up on the seventh floor, then sent down to the sixth floor to be locked
46 Annual Report of the PvMic Printer

up, and then hauled back to the molding room of the foundry on the seventh

floor. As this method necessitated the use of elevators from seventh floor to sixth

floor and back again, it can be seen that a great deal of time was wasted. Now all work is trucked direct from the make-up banks to the lock-up stones, then into the foundry molding room, all on one floor. When the foundry lock-up section was moved to the seventh floor from the

sixth the space vacated permitted the moving of imposing stones in the hand

section so as to permit the dropping stones to be placed immediately adjacent.

The lock-up furniture and the chases do not now have to be carried the length

of the room when wanted by the lock-up men. The largest move of all, however, was the rearranging of the patents section and the linotype section. Part of the 96 linotype machines in the linotype

section were so rearranged as to install 24 new machines in the same space

occupied by the 20 machines moved to the patents section. This increased the

linotype section machines to an even 100 and the patents section from 42 to 62. The addition of 24 modem machines to the linotype section increases our

facilities for setting the Congressional Record and doubles our facilities for

setting congressional bills. The transfer of 20 machines from the linotype to the patents section also permits the latter section to do all its composition for an average of 1,000 patent specifications every week, instead of having to each

week call on the linotype section for the use of 10 to 30 machines.

By the move in the patents section all assembling, make-up, lock-up, stripping, and press equipment were rearranged so that there is no back tracking

during the progress of the work. As the type comes from the machines it has

a clear and uninterrupted track straight down the room to the presses. Several important changes have been made in the layout of the three floors of the binding division, also under the personal direction of the Public Printer,

saving space, reducing labor, and improving supervision. The addition of a new room on the fourth floor in the court between the two wings of the building

made space for a better location of the paste and glue room and at the same

time added storage space. Portable tables with brakes have been built to replace the old permanent tables, with considerable saving of labor in moving work in process of manufacture.

Moves are under way on the fourth floor in anticipation of the connection

of that floor with the new building now under construction. All signature

presses were moved from the pamphlet bindery to the old building, making way

for new folding machines ordered and being installed and at the same time

bringing the signature presses nearer the signature storage room.

In the molding and stereotyping sections considerable changes have been

made in rearranging the equipment in this room which will assist in advancing

the work more expeditiously and systematically, and it is believed a much larger Increase in production will be reported at the close of the 1930 fiscal year. NEW MACHINERY INSTALLED DURING YEAR

Along with improving workroom conditions, during the year

there has been the replacement of many worn-out machines by new

and more efficient equipment, which likewise has greatly helped to

increase production and improve the quality of the work.

Among the outstanding accomplishments was the installation of 45

new monotype casters with 60-pica attachment to replace an equal

number of old machines worn out b}^ almost continuous work for
Annual Report of the Ptiblic Printer 47

8 or 16 hours daily during the last 22 years. With the purchase of

47 similar machines in the preceding year, the office now has 92 monotype casters of the latest model.

In addition, there are in operation 34 other machines that have

been retained for casting sorts, 2 material-casting machines, and 1 giant caster, making 129 monotype casters in all. Equipment for

these casters includes 216.480 matrices, 683 die cases, and 650 molds.

During the year, 10 new 90-em scale monotype keyboards were

procured to replace an equal number of obsolete models, thus bringing the equipment of 90-em keyboards up to an even 90, all of

which have been installed in the last five years^to replace older and

less efficient machines. The office also has one 60-em keyboard.

The monotype equipment of the Government Printing Office is now the best as well as the largest of any printing office in the

world.

BETTEKMEXT OF THE MOXOTTPE EQUIPMENT

Many other improvements have been made during the last eight

years in the equipment and operation of the monotype machines,

including complete replacement of gas-heated metal pots with elec- trically heated ones. The change has improved the quality of the

type and decreased the temperature of the room, which had been

almost unbearable during the summer months with the large number

of gas-heated casters in operation.

The electric heating is controlled from a central board by which

groups of casters can be cut off when not in use. The new control

system has secured production for 78 per cent of the time the casters are heated, as compared with only 35 per cent production time when

a larger number of idle casters Avere kept heated.

During the fiscal year 1929 the new machines also cast more type

per hour than in 1928. The increased production has reduced the

cost approximately one-tenth cent per thousand ems of type, a saving

of several hundred dollars annually.

The monotype section started the production of machine-leaded

composition on August 1, 1928, and has carried it on successfully ever

since. By setting matter machine leaded, the monotype section has

reduced to a minimum the casting of leads for insertion by hand,

thus releasing a casterman for type work. The machine leading of

monotype matter will save many thousands of dollars and also elimi- nate the many end-letter slips in locking up for plating or press.

It puts all monotype composition also on a nondistribution basis. Other substantial monotype economies have been effected in the

use of a new style of fractions made to run in keyboard composition,

and in the better handling of approximately 75,000 pounds annually

of keyboard paper rolls, which are now placed in boxes and located more conveniently for the operators.

72200—30 1
48 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Automatic ingot feeders are soon to be installed on every monotype caster to replace hand feeding of metal and maintain a more

uniform temperature.

world's largest battery of linotypes

Twenty-four of the latest model (No. 25) linotype machines with

two magazines and mixer distribution of matrices were installed in

September, 1929, bringing the total number of such machines bought

in the last five years up to 72. This completes the reequipment of

the document and Congressional Record composition section.

The Government Printing Office now has more linotype machines

than any other printing or newspaper office in the world, with a

total of 174, including an intertype. All these machines are equipped with electrically heated melting pots and automatic ingot

feeders. For their operation, the office has 601 magazines and

1,159,466 matrices of various faces and sizes of type.

Two new model ludlow typographs were purchased recently to replace an older type. They are used largely for ruled and blank

forms.

Several new presses have been procured during the year for the

rapidly increasing work of the press division, including 4 more

vertical job presses, 2 high-speed cylinder presses, 21 by 28 inches,

and 3 fast envelope presses. A new 32-page web press for the printing of congressional speeches and documents is on order and promised for delivery in February, 1930.

BINDERY MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT

The bindery was equipped during 1929 with 7 new folding machines, including 2 double 16s, 3 cutting and trimming machines,

1 ruling machine, 1 wire-stitching machine, 1 cover-stamping press,

1 back-gluing machine, and extensive improvements on 2 gathering,

stitching, and covering machines.

The most noticeable improvement in the bindery, however, was the

replacing of stationary work benches with 78 movable tables, which

greatly facilitates the handling and moving of all bindery products.

All the tables are of convenient size, and equipped with wheels and

brakes so that they can be moved or made stationary. The tables were designed and built by this office. Additional machinery for the platemaking division has had to await completion of the new extension, but some equipment was

purchased during the year, including another automatic platefinishing machine, and a new leveling table with blower for use with

the electrically heated electrotype pot.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 49

There was also installed a 5-ton electrically heated and controlled

stereotype pot with automatic pump and five water-cooled casting

boxes for the production of Congressional Record and speech plates.

MACHIXERT EXPENDITUEES IN EIGHT YEARS

During the last eight years it has been necessary to expend

$1,328,264.30 in the purchase of new and more productive machines

to enable the Government Printing Office to keep pace with progress

in printing, binding, and platemaking and to handle its immense

and steadily growing volume of work.

In expenditures for machinery, the Public Printer is limited by

Congress to $200,000 annually, which is not enough for ordinary

replacements of obsolete and worn-out machinery in a plant operating

961 production machines, valued at $3,358,080.17.

However, excellent progress has been made in the necessary re- equipment of the office. It is now up to date in nearly every kind of

machinery as well as modern methods of production, according to the opinion of many prominent employing printers who visited the

office during the recent convention of the United Typothetse of

America.

In this connection, the Public Printer is pleased to quote the

following statement from a letter written by the secretary of the

Canadian office of the International Association of Machinists, Mr.

George E. Wright, of Montreal

You, sir, and the Government you serve, are to be congratulated upon the

efficiency and cleanliness of your great printing establishment, as well as upon

the splendid facilities afforded the working staff. APPRENTICE-SCITOOL GRADUATION EXERCISES

Like any other school or college, the principal event of the year for

the Government Printing Office apprentice school was, of course, the graduation exercises in Harding Hall on April 18, 1929. Fortynine young men who had completed the prescribed 4-year course of

training were presented with certificates of qualified journeymen, entitling them to work at their chosen trade in the Government Printing

Office. The exercises were presided over by the Deputy Public Printer,

Mr. John Greene, who has general supervision of the school. Presentation of the certificates was made by Mr. Burr G. Williams, chief

instructor of apprentices. Music was furnished by the Government

Printing Office Orchestra under the leadership of Mr. William C. Buckingham.

The principal address was made by the Rev. James Shera Montgomery, D. D., chaplain of the United States House of Representatives, who spoke on The Effective Life and thrilled a large audience
50 Annual Report of the Public Printer

of apprentices and their friends with an earnest and eloquent presentation of his subject. Doctor Montgomery also delighted the apprentices in recalling some of his own youthful experiences at the printing

trade.

On behalf of the graduating class, its president, Mr. Franklin R.

Horstman, chose Appreciation and Loyalty as a subject of his re- marks to the undergraduates. He urged them to recognize the

" partnership " that should exist between employee and employer

through appreciation and loyalty, and counseled faithful observance

of office rules and regulations as the surest road to happiness and

success. GRADUATING CLASS PRINTS BOOKLET

In honor of the occasion, the graduating class prepared and printed an attractive booklet, done in colors, containing individual pic- tures of all the members of the class, a group picture of the apprentice school, reproductions of the written certificate of an apprentice 40 years ago and of the artistic certificate now in use, together

with several other illustrations and articles relating to the Government Printing Office. The graduation in 1929 was the third formal program in honor

of such an event since the reestablishment of the apprentice school

by the present Public Printer on July 5, 1922. These exercises are held annually whenever a sufficient number of apprentices in the

various printing and mechanical trades have completed their 4-year

courses of training.

GRADUATES EMPLOYED AS JOURNEYMEN ' Including the class of 1929, the school has graduated 128 apprentices, all but 7 of whom are now employed as journeymen in the

Government Printing Office. Owing to their special ability several

have already been advanced to preferred positions, and all of the

graduates have made good in their work.

Since the establishment of the school, 360 apprentices have been

appointed through civil-service examinations requiring at least an

eighth-grade education, special trade aptitude, and physical fitness. There are now 162 apprentices in the school, the maximum number

of which is limited by law to 200. About 50 appointments are made

annually to keep the school in proper proportion for the four years

of training.

Although the printer apprentices are first instructed in a special

schoolroom well equipped for such work, most of the training is done

in the regular workrooms. Under the direction of competent in- structors, apprentices engage in actual production of value to the

office as well as of benefit to themselves.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 51

PRODUCTIVE WORK OF APPRENTICES

The apprentice section alone set 27,486,000 ems of type during the

fiscal year 1929. Part of this composition was used in printing

1,167 jobs for other departments of the Government, 307 of which

were run on the presses in the schoolroom. Numerous publications

for the use of the Government Printing Office are also set up and

printed by the apprentice school, including the directory of employees, cafeteria menus, programs, plate catalogues, and daily work

summaries.

The apprentices to other trades are also engaged in productive

work, the total value of which for the year, based on regular scale of charges for the product of journeymen, was $122,689.89. During

the year the apprentices, other than printer, were employed 18,317

hours on presswork, 52,034 hours on machine and hand operations in

the bindery, approximately 10,000 hours at platemaking and photoengraving processes, and 2,000 hours on machine-shop work.

Unfortunately, many apprentices, although certified by the Civil

Service Commission, have been found to lack sufficient education to begin learning a trade, particularly that of printing, which requires accurate knowledge of writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and

other subjects of useful information.

LACK OF EDUCATION A HANDICAP

The difficulties experienced with the apprentices who have not

had proper preparation in the common schools are stated as follows

in the annual report of the chief instructor

We are convinced from the experience of the past six years that too many

young men are seeking to enter the trades without sufficient preparation.

This is particularly true of those who elect to take printing. They can learn

the purely mechanical part of the work reasonably well and quickly if they

are rightly inclined toward work, but as for making competent proof readers,

key men, and executives they are poor material to work upon. Few young men coming to us can spell even reasonably well. Thus the young man is handicapped in his work and the office is not getting the most for its outlay.

The general average in the last 10 spelling tests of the group which will

finish during the year is only 70.5. "We would like to urge that high-school training be a requirement to entrance upon the training for printer and that spelling be given much greater weight

in the rating of the civil-service examination.

It may be argued that the boys should attend school while at the trade, and

this could be done (is done) much to their advantage. But many of the boys coming to us are here because they do not want to go to school, and

the effort they put in is only perfunctory. Young men may live in the country

where there are no facilities; conditions at home may be such that the

services of the boy are required. This would not stop the ambitious lad, but we do not get many of that class ; they are more apt to be looking for a soft spot.
52 Annual Beport of the Public Printer

There are few, if any, opportunities to take up the subject (spelling) needed most in the school. English may be had with spelling incidental, but spelling

and division of words are not taught in the night schools of the District of Columbia. We are supplementing this work by giving spelling tests as regularly as the work permits.

It has been our experience that most of the young men who quit school to enter the printing trade do not realize the amount of work it requires to learn a trade. They do not like school work, so quit, and soon find that they do not

like the work of learning a trade either, and from then on it is a struggle to keep them going.

The general public expects the printer to be a master of rules of spelling,

grammar, punctuation, and correct composition.

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS ADDRESS SCHOOL

The apprentice school and the Government Printing Office were honored during the year with visits and addresses by Mr. J. R.

Riddell, principal of the London School of Printing, and Herr

Franz Helmberger, of Berlin, director of the German Government

Printing Office (the Reichsdruckerei), which is also engaged in the

training of apprentices.

Mr. Riddell was tendered a reception on the occasion of his visit to the apprentice school, September 14, 1929. His remarks con- cerning the splendid work of the London School of Printing in the

training of apprentices and sons of British master printers were very

interesting and instructive, as was his fascinating sketch of the

famous Worshipful Company of Stationers, presided over by the

Lord Mayor of London, who is also a distinguished printer.

Director Helmberger kindly greeted the officers and apprentices of

the Government Printing Office at an assembly on November 21,

1929, when he came to return the courtesy of a visit that the Public

Printer had made to Berlin last May. Mr. Helmberger spoke in German, but his remarks were translated by an office interpreter as follows

When I left my own Government Printing Ofllce and my own country to come

to America, I felt as though I were coming to a land where I would feel like and be treated as a stranger—an alien. Strangely enough, the reality has been quite the opposite ; I have met with a

cordial welcome wherever I have gone in your country. I have been made to

feel entirely " at home " amongst the representatives of the printing craft in America ; and particularly do I feel at home at this time, talking to you, young

men, apprentices, neophytes in that greatest of all arts—printing. It is hard

for me to realize that you are not really my own class of apprentices in the Reichsdruckerei in Berlin. In this connection I wish to pay a just debt to your own Mr. Carter. It was

he who was the real cause of my taking up the work of training apprentices in our office some five years since. During the early days of our acquaintanceship

in Berlin it was his enthusiasm on the subject of training young men as general

all-round printers that inspired me to again take up the work, after the lapse of some 20 years, during which time we had no apprentices.
Anmtal Report of the Piiblic Printer 53

Five years ago we adopted the apprentice system, and do not believe I can

be accused of egotism when I say that it has proven a success. Our boys are thoroughly in earnest and deeply interested in their work. Mr. Carter has directed your attention to this book [the Semi-Centennial

Yearbook of the German Government Printing Office], as a product, typographically, of our apprentice school, and I will admit it is a creditable piece of work,

yet that is but one of a great variety of products of our school. As I have

already stated, our apprentices are taking their training quite seriously.

And now, boys, I want to say a few words to you personally. Begin at the bottom; be thorough in everything that you do; become master first of one branch of the art, after which you will find it quite easy to master the others.

I feel that I really know your chief, Mr. Carter, and so I would impress upon you this fact: That he is deeply interested in each one of you; that he wants you to be a success in your life work, and I am confident, if you do

your part here, you will be able to go on, either in the service of your Government or in commercial life, without ever bringing discredit to the craft

or to our patron saint, Gutenberg.

And so now I will leave you with that ancient of benedictions, " Gott griisz die Kunst " (God bless the Craft).

On his return to Berlin, Director Helmberger addressed the fol- lowing letter of thanks to the Public Printer under date of December 21, 1929

I desire at this time to express my most sincere appreciation of and thanks

for the most cordial reception and most kindly assistance on the occasion of my recent visit to the United States. Among the many impressions that remain with me, and will prove of assistance

to me in my efforts to improve the Reichs Printing Office, is the picture of a model plant, whose technical perfection lends itself to a maximum of production.

PUBLIC PRINTER ADDRESSES TYPOTHET^.

In recognition of the work done by the Government Printing Office in the training of apprentices, the Public Printer was invited to address the educational session of the United Typothetse of America

at its annual meeting in Washington on September 17, 1929. Speaking to that large gathering of the representative employing printers

of the United States and Canada, the Public Printer said in part

" I appreciate the kind invitation of your chairman to participate

in this session devoted to education and to talk to you about training

and research at the Government Printing Office, which in recent years has manifested a deep interest in both of these subjects. " It may be recalled that I spoke at the Washington convention in

1923 of the work which the Government Printing Office had theri begun in the training of apprentices and the testing and standardizing of printing materials. I am pleased to report that this work,

which was just beginning when you were here six years ago, is being

carried on quite successfully.

TRAINING OF APPRENTICES RESTRICTED BY LAW

" On taking office as Public Printer I was confronted with an

ancient law of Congress authorizing the employment of 25 appren-
54 Annual Report of the Public Printer

tices. Evidently this legislation was intended to restore trade

training in the Government Printing Office, as it was accompanied

by a Senate committee report declaring 'it is a good American

doctrine to give the American boy a chance to learn a trade.' " But, notwithstanding approval by Congress in 1895, no American

boy was given a chance to learn a trade in the Government Printing

Office for nearly 30 years thereafter. Then I decided that the

Government Printing Office ought to school apprentices for its own

work and relieve the printing industry of seme of the burden and

expense it had borne for years on account of the Public Printer

having to obtain all his skilled workmen from those trained

elsewhere.

"Accordingly the training school was started in 1922 with 25

apprentices, the maximum number then allowed by law. This number, of course, was grossly inadequate for an establishment employing

approximately 1,100 journeymen printers. If union rules had applied

to the Government Printing Office, it would have been entitled to many times the number of apprentices fixed by law. Therefore I submitted a recommendation to Congress to remove the restriction on apprentice training, but there was opposition to an unlimited

number, and by the act of February 20, 1923, the maximum was

increased from 25 to 200 apprentices at any one time. Much credit

is due to the Typothetse for its cordial support in securing this

legislation, which assured the continuance and the success of the

school.

1,79 2 BOYS SEEK TO LEARN PRINTING TRADE

" In the last seven years 1,792 boys have taken the civil-service ex- amination for appointments as apprentices in the Government Printing Office. Although many of these lads failed to qualify for training in the Government office, it seems worth while to have encour- aged nearly 1,800 lads to seek to learn a printing trade. I hope that

many of those who could not be chosen by the Government office have been able to satisfy their ambition in other printing plants

throughout the country.

" From the opening of the school on July 5, 1922, to date, 360

apprentices have been appointed at various times. Of that number 128 have completed the 4-year course for qualification as journeymen in their chosen trades and 162 are in training at present.

" Every graduate is offered permanent appointment and nearly all have continued in the service of the Government office. Almost a fourth of the graduates have already earned advancement to preferred positions, some of which pay more than $3,000 a year.

" Half a dozen of the Government-trained apprentices are among

the top-notch linotype operators, with averages of from 5,000 to 6,600 ems per hour. Eight other graduates are operating monotype keyboards, with averages of from 7,900 to 10,500 ems per hour.

"A few years ago a number of these boys were working as messengers in the Government Printing Office for $900 or less a year, with

small chance for advancement and no opportunity to learn a worthwhile trade. The privilege of helping these lads has given me the

greatest joy of my service as Public Printer.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 55

NEED FOR BETTER PREPARATORY EDUCATION

" Training of apprentices has convinced me that the American

youth needs a much better education than he now gets in preparation for employment at the printing trade. The common schools seem to be failing to give our boys and girls the fundamentals of an education that will help them throughout life. Teaching of the

' three E's ' appears to have become an abandoned art and has been

replaced by a lot of fads and follies which apparently are interesting to the teacher but of little practical value to the pupil.

It is said that we are becoming a nation of wretched writers,

miserable spellers, and unthinking readers. Nowhere is this more

evident than in the training of printers. It is, of course, most

essential that the printer shall be able to write legibly, spell correctly, and read intelligently. The ability of the printer and proof

reader to do so has saved the reputation of many an author and

statesman whose reflected culture will soon be sadly dimmed unless

the followers of the art precsrvative are better trained in the use of

the English language.

" The failure cf the common schools to turn out good spellers,

grammarians, and writers of the English language is not alone af- fecting printers but is also seriously embarrassing college students,

especially those in training for newspaper work. Referring to stu- dents whom he had instructed in a school of journalism, James W.

Barrett, city editor of the New York World, said recently

" The plain and simple fact is that a great many of them can neither spell, write, nor read a newspaper intelligently. Instead of taking courses in feature and editorial writing they should take high-school or grammar-school English.

MANY FAILED TO PASS CIVIL-SERVICE TEST

"Although every applicant for appointment as an apprentice in the

Government Printing Office is required to have completed the eighth

grade of a common-school education, which is assumed to include

thorough instruction in spelling, writing, grammar, reading, and

arithmetic, 821, or nearly half, of the 1,792 applicants failed to pass

the civil-service examinations, TO points of which are based on mental

tests and only 30 points on mechanical aptitude.

" If the schools had properly educated the 1,800 boys who sought to become useful citizens by learning worth-while trades in the Government Printing Office, 821 of them would not have failed to qualify

for training on account of lack of mental ability. These boys were doomed to bitter disappointment at the very beginning of their career, and I charge that their failure was due largely to the inadequate

education which they had received in the common schools. "A surprisingly large number of the 360 who became apprentices

have been found deficient in spelling and grossly ignorant of the

rules of syllabication, punctuation, and capitalization, notwithstanding all of them had completed the eighth grade of a common school

and many of them had attended high school. On this account it has

been found necessary to require many of our apprentices to continue
56 Anmial Report of the Public Printer

the study of spelling and grammar and becomxC more versed in the

proper use of the English language so that they might qualify as competent printers.

DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN GOOD PROOF READERS

" With civil-service examination and apprentice-school tests revealing such an appalling lack of elementary Imowledge by those who

have had a common-school education, it is evident that the situation

must be much worse in the commercial field, where the educational

requirements are less exacting. Ample evidence of the insufficient education of printers in general is disclosed by the inability of many

of those who have been trained elsewhere to qualify as proof readers

and copy editors in the Government Printing Office. It is now almost

impossible to obtain competent proof readers from an}^ source, and I am sure the Government Printing Office is not alone in such serious

difficulty. " Typesetting machines and the demands of the newspapers for

top speed and early editions have practically ruined the art of proof

reading for daily publications. In the stress of furnishing men for

mechanical situations, the trade-unions have not maintained the

educational qualifications which are the most essential tools of

competent printing craftsmen. Therefore it is all the more vital to the future of industry that organizations like the Typothetse manifest,

as you are doing here to-day, greater interest in educational work.

IMPORTANCE OF SOUND GENERAL EDUCATION

" The importance of a sound general education has been so well

stated in the Prospectus of the London School of Printing that I

shall take the liberty of better expressing my thoughts on the subject

by quoting from the publication issued by its distinguished principal,

Mr. Eiddell, whom we are delighted and honored to have with us

to-day. I read as follows from the statement of the London School

of Printing

" In the whole realm of industry there is no other craft in which sound general education is of such paramount importance as it is in the printing and

kindred trades. It is the one craft which gathers within its wide circumfer- ence every phase of human knowledge and expression and which deals with

every subject known to human experience and research. How vital, then, is the necessity for a good general education—an education which young students,

in their anxiety to proceed to specific technical training, are apt to ignore.

" This training can only be effective when such essential subjects as English,

arithmetic, and drawing have been thoroughly mastered. Progress is impossible until a comprehensive knowledge of English has been acquired. Skill in draftsmanship is of fundamental importance, and the ability to calculate accurately and rapidly is a further essential qualification.

" Without an adequate knowledge of all these subjects, students are handicapped, much valuable time must of necessity be wasted, and a good deal of technical instruction be rendered absolutely futile. DUTY OF THE COMMON SCHOOLS OF AMERICA

" To remedy this situation the London School of Printing has in- cluded a general course of education in its training of apprentices.

That may be a necessary solution of the problem in England; but,

V
Annual Eeport of the Public Printer 57

with compulsory education laws almost universally applied to American schools, there should be no need in the training of our apprentices

to undertake also their general education. This duty rests on the

common schools, but unfortunately it is being seriously neglected or improperly executed.

" My chief purpose, therefore, in submitting this thought to you to- day is to urge a united demand on school authorities that they give

the American youth a better education in the fundamental subjects

that are essential to success in any industry."

DIVISION or TESTS AND TECHNICAL CONTEOL

The division of tests and technical control, with a staff of 37 employees, was engaged throughout the year principally in the inspection, testing, and manufacture of materials used by this office for

printing and binding. The inspections and tests covered mostly

paper, of which 46,110,818 pounds were inspected, and of this quantity 1,877,951 pounds were rejected for failure to comply with the

Government specifications. The rejections of paper during the fiscal year 1929 were 522,741 pounds less than for the preceding year and

amounted to only 4.1 per cent of the total quantity delivered. It is believed that the decrease in rejections of paper was due

partly to the adoption last year of new watermarks, which definitely

indicated the respective grades of bond and ledger papers—one star for 30 per cent, two stars for 50 per cent, three stars for 75 per cent,

and four stars for 100 per cent rag stock. Paper manufacturers were more careful to comply with the specifications for paper so watermarked. No paper was accepted which did not conform fully to the

specifications for the respective grade watermark. Similar watermarks will be required in paper to be purchased during the coming

year, as the new marks have proved very useful and satisfactory.

CORNSTALK PAPER FOR GOVERNMENT USE

Another innovation proposed by the Public Printer and adopted

by the Joint Committee on Printing is a request for bids on plantfiber book paper as a regular stock of the Government Printing

Office. The specifications for this paper require stock of not less than 50 per cent bleached fiber from corn or cotton stalks, flax or

cereal straws, wild or cultivated grasses, or from plants of like nature. The new item is intended especially to encourage the commercial production of paper from cornstalks, and it is hoped that a supply of such paper can be obtained for Government use in the near future.

Bids for the annual supply of all kinds of paper required for the

public printing and binding during the year beginning March 1, 1930, will be opened by the Joint Committee on Printing on January
58 Annual Report of the Public Printer

27, 1930, and the award of contracts announced by that committee

a week later. Proposals have been requested for approximately

54,000,000 pounds for the coming year. Definite specifications and

standards have been adopted for the entire schedule, and the Joint

Committee has ruled that proposals based on bidders' samples will

not be considered.

The Government is always assured paper of the standard qualities

fixed upon and contracted for by the Joint Committee on Printings

as the Public Printer is forbidden by law to accept any paper that

does not conform to the standard specifications in every particular.

Acceptances are determined for the Public Printer by physical^

microscopical, and chemical tests made by the laboratory of the Government Printing Office. SAMPLES TESTED BY THE LABORATORY

In the fiscal year 1929 the laboratory tested 4,800 samples of

paper and paper products, as compared with 5,376 samples tested

during the preceding year. In addition, 2,808 samples of other

materials for printing and binding were tested, including textiles,

metals, glues, ink-making materials, lubricating oils, gasolines, chemicals, soaps, waxes, etc. The decrease in paper tests is due to larger

orders, which required the testing of fewer shipments during the year. Inspection and testing of envelopes purchased in the fiscal year

1929 covered a total of 40,775,860 envelopes, mostly made of kraft

but varying in quality from wood manila to the highest grades of

bond and ledger paper. Of that quantity, 2,114,500 envelopes were

rejected, principally on account of failure to meet the folding endurance requirements, which had been added to insure better quality.

Along with the improvement in quality, the sizes and weights of

envelopes were decreased, thus simplifying the purchases.

Next to paper, the major work of the laboratory consisted of test- ing control and investigational samples of type-metal alloys. These

tests for the year numbered 1,134, of which 465 were on samples

submitted by selected newspapers for investigational work in developing standards for linotype and stereotype use. The other metal

tests were in connection with the standardizing of 7,908,788 pounds

of type alloys used by the Government Printing Office during the

year. TECHNICAL CONTROL OF TYPE METALS

Since the technical control of type metals was started by this

office in 1925, a total of 27,857,367 pounds of type alloys have been

standardized by the remelting of about 15 tons of dead type daily.

The saving effected thereby has been approximately $400,000 when

compared with the usual commercial charge for such work. The
Anmial Report of the Public Printer 59

standardization has also added 1,099,337 pounds of new type metal

to the old stock of 6,630,000 pounds. The old stock had an excessive

tin and antimony content. The additional standard type metal,

thus gained at practically the cost of the lead, was obtained with a further saving of $35,000.

An even greater benefit was derived from the standardization of

type metals by the more economical and efficient operation of typecasting and stereotyping machines.

Technical control is also exercised in the production of inks,

rollers, and glues, which the Government Printing Office makes for

its own use and also for other departments of the Government in

Washington.

In the fiscal year 1929 the total production of printing inks

amounted to 162,135 pounds, an increase of 12,505 pounds over the

preceding year. During the year 35,000 pounds of mimeograph

ink was made, largely for departmental use. MIMEOGRAPH INK FOR DEPARTMENTS

The total amount of mimeograph ink produced by the Government

Printing Office during the last three years was 83,165 pounds, the

commercial charge for which at the regular rates would have

amounted to $125,000. The Government Printing Office furnished

this ink for approximately $50,000, thereby saving $75,000 to the

departments on their 3-year supply.

The manufacture of bindery ruling ink was transferred recently

to the ink section, which now has charge of the production of every

kind of ink used in this office, including writing inks. Approximately

10,000 quarts of red and blue-black writing inks were also furnished

in 1929 to the other departments of the Government.

Improvements have been made during the year in the quality of

printing inks, and larger production has been obtained by the installation of the latest type of 4-roll mill. The ink section now has seven

mills in operation.

Flexible glue molded for bindery use was likewise made under

technical control according to definite formulas developed by this

office. Glue production for the year amounted to 78,956 pounds.

A large quantity of old roller composition is used in the making of

bindery glues, thereby effecting a considerable saving in the utiliza- tion of this material which heretofore was considered worthless.

During the year 13,182 pounds of paste and 3,110 pounds of glue were sold at cost to other departments.

The making of press rollers is another function of the technical

division, which is beginning an investigation to determine the comparative life of rollers made from definite grades of glue, the value
60 Annual Report of the Public Printer

of glycerine substitutes, and other points of interest to the pressman.

During the year 3,254 rollers were made for use on the 190 printing

presses in this office. COOPERATIVE WORK IN PRINTING RESEARCH

Considerable research work has also been carried on by the division

of tests and technical control in addition to its routine of inspecting,

testing, and manufacturing materials as heretofore mentioned.

The principal investigations during the year were conducted in

cooperation with the Employing Bookbinders of America and the

mechanical department of the American Newspaper Publishers Association, each organization having employed a research associate

to work with the chemists of the Government Printing Office laboratory in the study of mutual problems.

A special investigation was made during the year of the quality

of kraft paper for Government specifications. Kraft paper manufacturers cooperated by furnishing many samples.

The Binders Board Association is also furnishing samples for a study of the warping of book covers, which is of interest to the

Employing Bookbinders of America as well as to this office. Progress reports on the newsprint and type-metal investigations were submitted at the mechanical conference of the American Newspaper Publishers Association in Buffalo last June. The reports as presented by the technical director of the Government Printing Office

covered the work done by its technical staff in cooperation with the

research associate employed by the newspaper association. Being

progress reports, no definite recommendations or conclusions were

submitted, but a great amount of necessary preliminary testing and

research work had been done.

NEWSPRINT INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS

In order to determine, if possible, the essential qualities of newsprint paper and ink which should be controlled to insure uniformity

and to obtain the best and most economical printing results, 256

samples of standard newsprint were obtained from 149 American

newspapers through the cooperation of Mr. W. E. Wines, manager

of the mechanical department of the American Newspaper Publishers Association. The samples represented the product of 75

newsprint mills in the United States, Canada, and Europe, and constituted the largest collection that had ever been made of newsprint

paper.

The testing of this large number of samples has taken considerable time, as the tests covered fiber content, thickness, ash, bursting

strength, tensile strength, stretch, oil penetration, and ream basis

weight.
Annual Report of the Public Printer- 61

In seeking to ascertain printing qualities and resistance to ink

penetration, many samples were also tested for gloss or finish and for

porosity or air permeability. The investigation required the development of certain special tests for determining the relationship

of paper to printing ink, which may go far toward solving the

present-day difficulties in newspaper printing.

An interesting statement in the report on the newsprint investigation is that the results so far indicate that the tensile-strength test

is more satisfactory for measuring the strength of newsprint than

the commonly used bursting-strength test. TESTING OF TYPE METALS FOR NEWSPAPERS

The progress report on type metals was based on exhaustive

analyses of linotype and stereotype samples submitted to the Government Printing Office laboratory by five prominent newspapers

over varying periods of time from October 10, 1927, to May 1, 1929,

when this phase of the investigation was completed. In all, 229

samples of linotype and 236 samples of stereotype metal from these

newspapers were carefully analyzed for the percentages of lead, tin,

antimony, and copper. The results of these tests were shown by

large graphs, which are of technical interest only and are not reproduced in this report. Copies may be obtained by those interested on application to the Public Printer.

The tentative conclusions drawn from the preliminary study of

type metals are printed elsewhere in the accompanying report of the

division of tests and technical control. Briefly, the report states that the chief losses due to dross of linotype metal occur in the re- melting process and not on the typesetting machines. The investigation further shows the importance of automatic temperature control on any pot where type-metal alloys are heated. An analysis of linotype metal once in three months is regarded as sufficient, if no serious

troubles are encountered in the meantime.

The extensive tests did not establish any reason for change in the

standard formula of linotype metal as previously adopted for the

Government Printing Office. This office still believes that its standards of linotype and monotype metals are satisfactory for the high

class of printing done for. the Government.

EMPLOYING BOOKBINDERS BEGIN RESEARCH

Cooperative research work with the Employing Bookbinders of

America was started on July 1, 1929, when the research division of

that association placed an associate in the laboratory of the Government Printing Office to assist in carrying on investigations of mutual

interest. At that time the Public Printer received the following

letter from Mr. Roy C. Baker, of Boston, chairman of the research

division of the Employing Bookbinders of America
62 Annual Beport of the Public Printer

On behalf of the Employing Bookbinders of America, I want to thank you

for the hearty cooperation which you and all your people have displayed to- ward our new project and for the attention which was given us on every hand

while Mr. Van Deene and myself were at your plant. 1 am sure a great deal of good is going to come from this work and benefit be realized by all concerned. In announcing to the Employing Bookbinders of America the

plan adopted by its research division for cooperative research work

with the Government Printing Office, a special committee headed by

Mr. Baker issued a statement of its purpose and program, from

which the following are interesting quotations

The analysis of production and distribution methods to develop more eflScient and more economical practices is rapidly approaching the forefront of association activity. Industrial or technical research is universally recognized, offer- ing a great opportunity to manufacturers to develop better methods of manufacturing and more efficient methods of purchasing materials. So vital has

this subject become, that Congress has authorized the various research depart- ments of the Government to cooperate with the respective manufacturers. While it is true that the Government will do some investigating and testing for industries which do not maintain a research associate, it is, of course, impossible for it to investigate any large problems outside of those on which

it is working for the Government. A research associate placed by the book- binding industry will devote all his time to that industry and will have the

privilege and advantage of attending staff meetings and consulting specialists in

allied fields of work on technical aspects of his research program. The technical division of the Government Printing Office has a great many problems

outside of the bookbinding industry, and for this reason it is very essential that we have our own man, who will devote all of his time to our problems.

Several of our members have already used to great advantage results of in- vestigations in certain problems, which the technical division of the Government

Printing Office has conducted. Among these are thorough investigations on

humidity, glue specifications, bookbinding cloths, destruction of bookbinding

cloths by insects, imitation leather, imitation gold leaf, and paper. In the matter of flexible glue, one member, who had been paying 15 and 16

cents a pound for glue has been making glue for the past year in accordance

with a Government formula at 11 cents a pound and is better satisfied and that much more prosperous. Another member has made a saving of 5 cents a pound

on end leaf paper, and is getting paper better than before. A large saving has

been effected on the use of imitation roll leaf. PROGRAM FOR JOINT INVESTIGATIONAL WORK

The research division of the Employing Bookbinders of America will function

in the following way:

It will install a resident research engineer at the division of tests and control of the Government Printing Office, who will devote all his time to solving

and investigating the problems which confront the bookbinding industry.

The committee will gather ideas from the members and formulate and lay out work for the resident engineer.

It is proposed to adopt standard material specifications under which the members may order various materials which they purchase. By having samples

tested, they are assured of getting what they order and what they pay for.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 63

One of the first problems to be undertaken is the warping of books. This is a universal complaint as was evidenced by the fact that 32 members have

written into headquarters regarding this subject. It is very evident from

reports received that the binders have never attacked this problem from a

scientific angle.

Among other problems which we might undertake are: Strength of end leaf paper in relation to strength of book. Testing of paper knives. Developing a better method of binding books.

Size of thread to use to get maximum strength.

Wrinkling of end leaves. Developing a uniform bindery truck. Developing a system of fitting up covers. Recommendation of proper oil and lubricants for bookbinding machinery

and standard specifications for same. The importance of the first glueing on the back of a book. The causes of damage to books during process in order to reduce repair

work.

It is proposed to investigate new machinery and materials. These will be

tested in the Government bindery under actual operating conditions and will be approved if they are of satisfactory merit.

It is a rule of all Government departments that any information developed in Government institutions becomes the property of the public and can not be

patented, so that any future developments which may be made by our research engineer will become the property of the industry as a whole. This, of course, does not prevent tests being made on any patented articles. The Government bindery purchases all of its materials under very rigid

specifications, and it would seem reasonable that the members of the Employing

Bookbinders of America might adopt more uniform specifications than they now

have in purchasing supplies. This would have a tendency toward uniformity

of materials, which would inevitably result in a reduction in the cost. BOOKBINDERS PLEASED WITH PROGRESS

It is gratifying to note the further statement in the January (1930)

Monthly issued by the employing bookbinders' association that the

research work " is going on splendidly " and that members should

not be impatient if they fail to receive constant reports, as "it is not because the work is not going on as efficiently and expeditiously

as possible, but rather because the division would rather report re- sults than give the outlines of experiments as they are being

carried on." In this connection it is also pleasing to quote the following letter received from Mr. John G. Burkhardt, of Detroit, a former president

of the Employing Bookbinders of America

In sending to the membership of the employing bookbinders' association the various booklets and specification samples of material, you have done something for the industry which will be an everlasting benefit. We have looked over the various pamphlets and samples with a great deal

of interest and benefit. All this material is going to be placed where it is readily accessible and will, I am sure, be used very often to our advantage. 72200—30^ 5
64 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The annual report is most interesting and surely shows the wonderful progress the Government Printing OflSce has made under your administration. You certainly have every reason to be very proud of the outstanding way

in which you have conducted the enormous business of Government printing.

During the year many similar letters have been received expressing appreciation of the helpful service that the Government Printing Office is rendering the printing and related industries through

the cooperation of its technical division in research work and ex- change of experiences. A recent letter (December 5, 1929) from Mr.

A. F. Logan, production manager of the Seattle (Wash.) Times,

thus expresses his thanks to the technical director of the Government

Printing Office

Your letter to our Mr. Scoville, under date of November 29, 1929, has been

referred to this office for my information, and it is the purpose of this communication to tell you how grateful the Times is for your thorough, careful, and prompt compliance with the requests made by Mr. Scoville. The analyses and conclusions contained in your letter are not only logical

but extremely valuable to us, and we are glad, indeed, to find the executives of the Government Printing Office so ready to cooperate with private industry.

Another letter, from Mr. W. B. Patterson, production manager of

the Rumford Press, Concord, N. H., to the technical director, states

In conclusion, may we express to you our appreciation and admiration of the work which you are doing at the Government Printing Office. It is a

distinct contribution not only to the success of that institution but to the

printing industry as a whole, and many of the printers of the country are

keenly alive to the fact that the present organization of the Government

Printing Office has developed along such high standards of efficiency that comparisons with previous regimes only tend to emphasize this fact. INTERNATIONAL BUREAU TO AID RESEARCH

Organized research is receiving thoughtful consideration to-day by

leaders of the printing and related industries throughout the world.

Research was one of the principal subjects of discussion at the Third

International Congress of Master Printers, which the Public Printer

and the technical director of the Government Printing Office had the

privilege of attending in London last April.

The London meeting of several hundred master printers, representing 20 countries, decided to organize an International Bureau as a clearing house for technical investigation and information. The

headquarters of the bureau have been established in Berlin under

the auspices of the Master Printers Association of Germany.

Just prior to the international congress, a large number of British

master printers and newspaper publishers met under the patronage

of the Worshipful Company of Stationers in London to listen to a formal lecture on the application of science to printing. The speaker on that occasion commented at length on the research work of the
Annual Report of the Public Printer 65

United States Government Printing Office and comxjlimented it as an example for the British printers to consider. This discussion

prompted them to appoint a committee to consider the feasibility of

instituting a technical research bureau in England.

CONTACT WITH OTPIER GOVERNMENT PRINTERS

Deep interest in the research work of the United States Government Printing Office is also being manifested by printing organizations of other countries. Cordial relations have been established by

the Public Printer with the heads of the Government printing works

in Great Britain, Canada, Holland, Sweden, Germany, France, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Japan, India, Australia, Tasmania, South Africa,

and Mexico, and with the Vatican printing plant in Rome. Official visits have been exchanged in recent years with the heads of several

of the Government plants in Europe.

Master printers and newspaper publishers from a number of

countries have also come to Washington to inspect the Government

Printing Office and study its research activities. Many others, in- cluding the Federation of Master Printers of Great Britain and

Ireland and the Master Printers Association of Germany, are fre- quent correspondents of this office in the consideration of problems

of mutual interest. In the United States, the movement for organized printing re- search has made considerable progress recently with the interest

taken in that subject by the United Typothetse of America and the

printing industries division of the American Society of Mechanical

Engineers. Both of these organizations have held largely attended

meetings to discuss the ways and means of research and have adopted

resolutions indorsing the organization of a graphic arts foundation

for that purpose.

ADDRESS OF PUBLIC PRINTER ON RESEARCH

The Public Printer was invited to address the annual convention

of the United Typothetse of America in Washington, September lY,

1929, on Research at the Government Printing Office. In presenting

that subject, at the educational conference of master printers gathered here from various parts of the United States and Canada, the

Public Printer said, in part

"A field for educational work, equally as fertile as that of training

apprentices in the art of printing, is the enlightening of master

printers as to the sciences that vitally concern almost every phase

of the industry. More problems of chemistry and engineering re- quiring scientific solution are involved in the materials and methods

of printing than affect almost any other industry. These problems

will have to be solved by scientific research if the printing industry

is to maintain its time-honored position as ' the Mother of Progress.'
66 Annual Report of the Public Printer

" Research has been defined as ' nothing more or less than an

intelligent inquiry into how to do practical things ; if they are new,

how they can be done in the best way; if they are old, how in a better way.' The intelligent inquiry will, of course, have to be made

by chemical engineers, but it is essential that we, as master printers,

shall be capable of understanding and applying their technical

advice. So I assert that the education of the master printer of

to-day is as important as the training of the journeyman printer of

to-morrow.

REVOLUTION IN METHODS OF PRODUCTION

"As Doctor Bird so clearly stated in a recent Typothetse Bulletin

article, technical research has brought about a new industrial revolution with which the printing industry must keep pace if it is to hold

its proud position as a leader in the industrial world. This revolution in production methods and materials had its origin in the chemical laboratory, from which, day by da}^, come new ideas that are changing the ways of industry and rendering possible and profitable

many things that were unknown or valueless heretofore.

" Let me also call into testimony on behalf of industrial research

the words of the president of the New York Employing Printers

Association, Mr. Van Dillen, who, in a published letter of August

10, 1928, approving a research foundation for the printing industry,

said, ' the miracles of modern business are the products of technical

and statistical research. * * * Unquestionably the best organization to undertake such work is the trade association of the industry.

Outstanding results through research have been achieved by many

trade associations and to them are due the vast majority of our

statistical and technical research services.' " In view of these indorsements by competent authorities, it seems

pertinent now to ask what has been done by the printing industry

to secure for itself the benefits of research work for which many

other industries are annually spending millions of dollars. Permit

me to answ^er this inquiry in the words of the director of your department of production management, Mr. Davis, who in a recent Bulletin article stated that ' no doubt the printing industry has done

less in research fields than any other industry to-day.' Mr. Davis

also points out that the printing industry has ' a virgin field for

exploitation by research engineers ' and concludes that ' research

will help us solve some of our more perplexing problems.'

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE RESEARCH

" In the hope of being of service to the printing industry as well as

to itself, the Government Printing Office closely followed its resumption of apprentice training seven years ago with the installation of

a research laboratory to study and develop standards of printing

materials, to test their quality, and to exercise technical control over

their production and use. " This work was begun in a small way in 1922, with a staff of only

half a dozen employees and an expenditure for the first year of

about $13,000. The value and importance of the work has increased
Anmial Report of the Public Printer 67

so rapidly that to-day our laboratory has a score of employees,

including a number of highly skilled chemists, and its cost to the

Government for the past year was close to $40,000. I mention these

figures merely to show that the undertaking is no mere plaything

and can not be carried on without men and money.

" With the completion next year of a large addition to our main

building, nearly an entire floor of that structure will be occupied by

the inclustrial laboratory, which undoubtedly will be the best

equipped and most modern laboratory in the world devoted exclusively to printing research work.

PRINTING INDUSTEY ENTITLED TO GOVERNMENT AID

" I also regard the entire Government Printing Office as an im- mense laboratory which can and should be of service to the printing

industry as well as to the Government. In fact, I am of the opinion

that the printing and related industries are just as much entitled to receive help from the Government Printing Office in the solution of

their trade problems as are the agricultural, labor, banking, and

various commercial interests entitled to the aid that they have re- ceived for years from other establishments of the Government.

" As long as I remain Public Printer I intend to render such service to the great industry you represent, and I earnestly hope that this

ma}^ become a permanent policy of the Government.

" The Government has no difficulty in purchasing at satisfactory

prices paper made according to its standard specifications and subject to its exacting tests. I know no real reason why the commercial

printer can not economically procure his paper in the same wa}^

" Standard qualities of paper will certainly insure fairer competition among printers, simplify the problems of stock and production,

and be more satisfactory to the customers of the printer. Furthermore, the standardizing of paper would effect a considerable economy

in its production, and the printer should share in this saving. DEFINITE SPECIFICATIONS ALONE NOT SUFFICIENT

" But definite specifications alone are not sufficient to safeguard

the procurement of printing materials. From time to time there

must be accurate and impartial testing of the materials, whether

they be type metals, paper, inks, textiles, or anj^thing else that can

be tested. " Although technical analyses are a routine procedure in the

laboratory of the Government Printing Office, I appreciate the diffi- ciijty that confronts the commercial printer to test his materials. I shall not undertake to discuss how the tests could be made for the

individual printer; in fact, technical analysis may not be possible

except at central points or in the larger cities. " The Government Printing Office, of course, could not undertake

the testing of materials for commercial use, as it would interfere too much with the other work that our laboratory has to do for the Government and might lessen the research service that we hope to render

for the general good of the entire industry. Therefore, I suggest that
68 Annual Report of the Public Printer

some other agency would have to be established or employed if the

Typothetse or any considerable number of its members decide to have

tests of their materials made regularly.

EXAMPLES OF REJECTED PRINTING MATERIALS

"The importance of proper inspection and tests is shown by the

following experiences, among many, the Government Printing Office

has had in rejecting materials that fail to meet the specified

standards of the Government

"Delivery of an all-chemical wood wrapping paper, under specifications requiring at least 75 per cent jute or manila stock; manila

paper with 25 per cent ground wood, offered on a specification

requiring 100 per cent sulphite stock ; 60 per cent rag writing paper, on specifications requiring 100 per cent rag stock; 30 per cent rag

bristol board, on specifications requiring at least 50 per cent rag

stock; printing papers, with an excessive weight of clay; alleged

Babbitt metal, with 80 per cent of lead instead of 90 per cent of tin

wrought iron, for medium machine steel; 90 per cent mineral oil, substituted for pure neat's-foot oil; acid leathers, for acid-free

leathers; textiles, grossly deficient in weave; cotton twine balls,

containing 25 per cent less yardage than specified.

"These instances of deception and substitution are, of course, not

typical of the many highly honorable contractors who serve the

Government Printing Office faithfully and well. There may have

been mistakes for which no one should be held responsible, but in

any event the failure to comply with standard specifications shows

the need for careful testing of materials from even the most reliable sources.

" Other functions of our technical division are to supervise the

manufacture of the printing inks, press rollers, and bindery adhesives

used in the Government plant. These undertakings have been entirely successful, but I am not prepared to advise adoption by the

average plant. However, our experience in this work ought to be of

good service to the printing industry.

SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF RESEARCH WORK

"This brings me to a statement of the scope and purpose of the

research that has been and can be done by the Government Printing

Office for the industry.

" I have explained in some detail the extent of the standardizing,

testing, and technical control of the materials that are used in the

routine work of the Government Printing Office. All of this forms

the foundation for the really constructive research work which we

have undertaken for the benefit of the entire industry.

" The investigations include paper, type metal, printing inks,

bindery adhesives, detergents, lubricants, textiles, leathers, threads,

and other printing and binding materials, as well as a study of air

conditioning and other engineering problems of a printing plant.

Some of the research work has made good progress and shown worthwhile results.
Anmial Report of the Piiblic Printer 69

COOPERATTVE RESEARCH WITH TYPOTHEM

" The first cooperative research work undertaken by the Government Printing Office was with the United Typothetse of America,

which, at its Chicago meeting in 1924, accepted an offer of the Public

Printer to assist in establishing standard grades of bond and ledger

papers. An expert employed by the Typothetse aided in preparing

the preliminary report. " For the first investigation in 1924, 33 manufacturers submitted

150 samples of their regular mill-brand papers, including 100 bond

and 50 ledger papers. Owing to the interest manifested, the manufacturers were again requested in 1925 to furnish additional samples

of their regular mill-brand bond and ledger papers, in order to ascertain if the tentative specifications were in need of revision, to determine the normal variation in paper of the same quality, and to stimulate additional interest in the technical standardization of the

papers. Forty-two paDer manufacturers cooperated in the second

investigation, submitting 165 samples of their regular mill-brand

papers, including 117 bond and 58 ledger paper samples.

FIXAL REPORT OX BOND AXD LEDGER PAPERS

" The final report was published in February, 1928, and discussed

by your standardization conmiittee at its meeting in Quebec last

fall. Although the committee and the general headquarters staff were authorized by the Chicago convention to issue the specifications

* at the earliest possible date,' no further action has been taken by

the Typothetse. However, the grades proposed for bond and ledger

papers have been adopted by the Government and used satisfactorily

for several years.

" One of the primary advantages to be gained by the standardization of bond and ledger papers is the reduction of the number of

grades to a minimum that mills may confine their production to the least number of grades possible. The proposed specifications

provide for six grades each, four rag-content bonds and ledgers, and

two chemical-wood grades. This number seems ample to cover the

full range of the commercial use of these papers.

" The basis of the proposed classification is not rag content alone,

but is rag content combined with the physical qualities of the paper.

The grades of rag content are 30, 50, 75, and 100 per cent. Folding

endurance is the principal difference in the two grades of chemicalwood bond and ledger papers. The bursting strength test is specified, since it is in common use by paper manufacturers, but folding

endurance is deemed the more important physical test. COXGRESS AUTHORIZES COOPERATIVE RESEARCH

" In the spring of 1928, the Public Printer submitted to Congress

a formal plan for cooperating with commercial industries in developing specifications and standards for printing materials, and recom- mended that the Government Printing Office be authorized by law

to engage in cooperative research work.
70 Annual Report of the Public Printer

"This was done by the act of May 14,, 1928, which specifically

included the Government Printing Office in the list of industrial and

scientific establishments of the Government that are authorized by

law to offer their facilities to scientific investigators and qualified

individuals for study research and the promotion of knowledge.

"Accordingly, the Government Printing Office now has the same

legal right to offer its facilities for scientific investigations as has any

other establishment of the Government, and the Public Printer is ready to make his facilities for research available to the printing

industry for cooperative study and solution of its technical problems.

INVESTIGATIONS WITH NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS

" By authority of this recent law, the Government Printing Office

has undertaken important investigations of type metals, newsprint

l^aper, and printing inks, in cooperation with the mechanical department of the American Newspaper Publishers Association, Avhich has

placed a research assistant in the laboratory of the Government office. " Extensive tests have been made of samples of linotype and stereo- type metals submitted by selected newspapers to determine, if possible, the rate of deterioration of alloys, the most suitable composition, and the most satisfactory method of maintaining uniform

quality. The tests have already developed information of value to the newspapers as well as to the Government Printing Office. " The purpose of the newsprint investigation is to determine the

essential qualities of paper and ink which should be controlled to obtain the best and most economical results in printing. A study

of the penetration of printing inks is one of the interesting features

of this research work and may prove of much importance.

" The general manager of the American Newspaper Publishers

Association, Mr. L. B. Palmer, has stated that the entire association

is indebted to the Government Printing Office for the great interest

shown in the problems of the newspaper publishers and for the

hearty cooperation extended in endeavoring to find a solution of the

newspaper printing problems.

EMPLOYING BOOKBINDERS BEGIN RESEARCH

"Another cooperative investigation is just getting under way with

the Employing Bookbinders of America, who have likewise retained

a research engineer to assist in the laboratory of the Government

Printing Office. In reporting the arrangements for this work,

Mr. Roy C. Baker, chairman of the special research committee,

informed the Employing Bookbinders that

" During the time your chairman and Mr. Van Deene were at Washington

various conferences were held with officials of the Government Printing Office. At all times utmost cooperation was offered to your committee, and we are indeed fortunate to have available without cost the use and services and

equipment of this wonderful organization. Public Printer George H. Carter

expressed the desire to do everything in his power to help this project, and it lies within our organization to see that his cooperation is justified. At the various conferences, it was made very clear that this work will be of tremendous

importance to the industry. " From time to time the Government Printing Office, through its division of tests and technical control, has also cooperated with other
Annual Report of the Public Printer 71

national associations, especially the National Association of Glue

Manufacturers, and has likewise received valuable advice and aid

from the manufacturers of paper, type metals, and other printing and

binding materials.

FULLY 2,5 0 0 INQUIRIES RECEIVED ANNUALLY

" In addition to the research cooperation with industrial organizations and the manufacturers of printing materials, the technical division endeavors to study and answer as far as possible the questions

that are pouring in from individual members of the industry everywhere, including not only the United States but also the most remote

parts of the world. Fully 2,500 of these letters have been received

annually for several years.

" We have had hundreds of letters of thanks in reply, but here is just one that is rather typical and makes us feel that maybe we are doing something of real service to the industry. It is from the Eumford Press, of Concord, N. H.

" May we express to you our hearty appreciation for the hospitality which was extended by you and your associates on the occasion of our recent pil- grimage to the Government Printing Office. " We were greatly impressed with some of the equipment and processes which we had the opportunity to examine, but we were even more pleased with

the splendid spirit manifested by the several department heads who had us in charge during the tour of inspection which we were privileged to make.

BRITISH PRINTERS TO TAKE UP RESEARCH

" It is highly gratifying also to observe that the research work of

the Government Printing Office is attracting the attention of graphic

art organizations in other countries. In England the master

printers have become so interested in the subject as to gather at historic Stationers' Hall in London, under the patronage of the

Worshipful Company of Stationers, and listen to a very able lecture on the application of science to printing by Mr. George L. Riddell,

the accomplished son of the principal of the London School of

Printing. Mr. Riddell discussed the subject in a masterly manner

and received a hearty vote of thanks for his splendid presentation of

the scientific side of printing, a revelation to many of the master

printers of Great Britain. I want to express my sincere appreciation of the extended and complimentary references which Mr. Riddell

made to the research work of the Government Printing Office. " For your understanding of Mr. Eiddell's viewpoint of the application of science to printing, I quote the few following thoughts

from his address to the British printers

" There is more scope for usefully applied science in the printing industry

than in the majority of other industries already employing such a scheme.

" The craft of printing has been built up largely by rule of thumb methods.

* * * Empirical methods are not sound under modern conditions.

" Those who supply the printer with his raw materials—the paper maker,

ink maker, and type-metal manufacturer—are all rapidly introducing scientific control with their businesses, and for this reason alone it would be advisable

for the printer to meet them equipped with the necessary scientific knowledge

to understand what is being done for him. It is only in this way that the

printer will be able to demand the best materials and to make sure that he gets them.
72 Annual Report of the Public Printer

"Those best able to judge recognize that there is a new era commencing in the ever-expanding craft of the printer and that science must play an impor»

tant part in the development of our industry.

"As a result of the activities' on behalf of research work by the

two Riddells, father and son, representatives of the printing and

related trades of Great Britain held another meeting in London soon

after the recent lecture by the younger Eiddell and authorized the

appointment of a committee to consider the desirability and the feasibility of instituting a technical research bureau for the pooling of

technical information and to conduct scientific investigation of technical problems.

INTEENATIONAL CONGRESS OF MASTER PRINTERS

"At the Third International Congress of Master Printers, which

I had the honor and privilege of attending in London last April as your representative, together with President Smith, international

standardization and simplification was the principal subject of

discussion by that notable gathering of several hundred master

printers from a score of countries.

"At the London congress there was organized an international

bureau which can be of great service to the master printers of the

world even if, for the present, it is devoted entirely to research work.

The Typothetse of America ought not to forego the opportunity to join in this great international effort to pool technical knowledge

which printers throughout the world may acquire and impart for the

benefit of themselves and their fellow printers in other countries.

ALL COUNTRIES COULD AID IN RESEARCH

" Technical research is an undertaking to which all countries could

make worth-while contributions from their varied experiences. I am

sure the results would be of the utmost value to the printers of every

nation and would materially help to insure the peace and prosperity

of the world through further advancement of the art preservative,

upon which has been and always will be based the progress and

security of civilization.

"The representatives of the American Typothetae at the London

congress made no formal commitment in regard to supporting the

international bureau. Personally, I am strongly in favor of international cooperative and research work, and as Public Printer will

gladly pledge the Government Printing Office to aid in such an

undertaking for the benefit of the printing industry. In fact, the

Government Printing Office has established contacts for printing

research work in other countries which have been of mutual benefit

and demonstrated the value of such cooperation at home and abroad

GERMAN ASSOCIATION TO OPERATE BUREAU

" In accord with an agreement at the London congress, the international bureau will probably be moved from London to Berlin about

January 1, to be operated there under the auspices of the Master

Printers' Association of Germany. I have just received a letter from
Annual Report of the Public Printer 73

Doctor Woelck, the general director of the German association, stat- ing that if the international bureau is moved to Berlin, the German

association hopes that in this work it may have very close and cordial

relations with the United Typothet£e of America.

" In concluding, permit me to suggest that the United Typothetee

of America give consideration at this time to the adoption of a

definite program for active participation in technical research and

the standardization of printing materials. Although the printing

industry is one of the largest in America, ranking fourth in value

added to raw materials by manufacture, it is one of the most backward in research work and the development of standard specifications.

*' For its raw materials, such as paper, inks, type metals, and the

like, the printing, publishing, and related industries pay to other

industries approximately $750,000,000 annually. With this immense

purchasing power, a united printing industry could successfully

support its right to x^repare and maintain standard specifications for

the materials that are essential in the production of printing.

It is up to the United Typothetae of America, therefore, to decide

whether the master printer shall have something to say about the

materials for his use or whether the paper maker, the ink maker,

and other minor interests shall continue so to dominate ' the art preservative of all the arts.'

*• If the Government Printing Office can be of service in this

regard or is, able to help the printing industry in any other way, it awaits your pleasure, and for the cordial cooperation that has

brought the Typothetse into such friendly relations with the Government Printing Office during recent years you have our utmost and

everlasting thanks."

RESOLUTION OF THE TYPOTHET^ CONVENTION

After the address of the Public Printer, the following resolution was unanimously adopted by the convention of the United Typothetse of America

Whereas, the address of Hon. George H. Carter before this forty-third annual

convention was illuminating in its presentation of the benefits to the printing

industry to be derived through laboratory investigation and research ; and

Whereas the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers have given assurance of their deep interest in the technical and mechanical problems of the printing industry and their desire to co- operate in the endeavor to arrive at a solution of these problems ; and

AYhereas there will be held under the auspices of the Carnegie Institute of Technology at Pittsburgh, November 8 and 9, a special conference to consider matters of interest in connection with printing : Therefore be it Resolved, That the membership of the United Typothetse of America welcome

this cooperation by the Carnegie Institute of Technology, the American Society

of Mechanical Engineers, and the Government Printing Office and gives assur- ance of its sympathetic interest in any project that may grow out of the November conference in Pittsburgh ; be it further

Resolved, That the board of directors is requested to consider the advisability of adding to its program of activities a bureau or department to function along

the lines here suggested.
74 Annual Report of the Public Printer

WORLD CONFERENCE ON PRINTING RESEARCH

A world conference of printing industries to discuss the need for

research and what is being accomplished in printing was held at the

Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, November 7 and 8, 1929, under the auspices of the research and survey committee of the

printing industries division of the American Society of Mechanical

Engineers.

The conference was attended by more than 200 engineers and

technical experts in the printing and related industries of several

countries, including the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Germany, and Australia. Favorable responses v^ere also received from

other countries, including Japan and the Union of Socialist Soviet

Eepublics, whose representatives were unable to be present.

The 27 organizations participating in this notable conference were

listed as follows

American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

United Typothetse of America.

New York Employing Printers Association. International Association of Printing House Craftsmen.

Club of Printing House Craftsmen of New York. Employing Bookbinders of America.

American Photo-Engravers Association. Photo-Engravers Board of Trade of New York.

International Association of Electrotypers.

Lithographers National Association. Lithographic Technical Foundation.

National Association of Printing Ink Makers.

Technical Association of the Paper and Pulp Industry.

American Newspaper Publishers Association. National Publishers Association. National Association of Book Publishers. Publishers Association of New York.

Associated Business Papers.

American Association of Advertising Agencies. Association of National Advertisers. International Printing Supply Salesmen's Guild. International Trade Composition Association. International Printing Pressmen and x\sslstants Union.

American Management Association. American Institute of Graphic Arts. Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education.

College of Industries, Carnegie Institute of Technology.

rUBLIC PRINTER ADDRESSES RESEARCH CONFERENCE

In recognition of the pioneer research work undertaken by the

Government Printing Office for the graphic arts, the Public Printer was invited to give " the keynote speech," according to the program, on The Necessity for Kesearch in the Printing Industry. After in-
Annual Report of the Piihlic Printer 75

troduction by the chairman, Mr. Arthur C. Jewett, director of the

College of Industries, Carnegie Institute of Technology, the Public

Printer said in his address to the conference

" On behalf of the United States Government Printing Office, per- mit me to express our sincere appreciation of your invitation to participate in this world conference of the printing industries. The

printing industries division of the American Society of Mechanical

Engineers has rendered a fine service in calling such a notable con- ference under the auspices of its research and survey committee.

And there could be no more appropriate place to meet than at the

Carnegie Institute of Technology.

" With such distinguished sponsors and accomplished hosts, we are glad to gather here to-day, and for everyone present I am pleased

to express our sincere thanks to all those who have made this meeting

possible, especially to our able presiding officer, Mr. Jewett, the

director of the College of Industries.

"According to the printed program I am scheduled to make a so- called ' keynote speech ' on this important occasion. Never before

have I been charged with such a responsibility, and it is with much

hesitation that I shall address you, realizing I am but a mere printer

by trade in the midst of learned masters of the sciences and eloquent

exponents of the art preservative.

" Perhaps the program committee thought that, being a Government

official, I am therefore a politician and as such should be versed in

the art of keynoting. But I wish to assure you at the outset that the

Public Printer of the United States is not a politician and that his

official duty is to print speeches, not to make them.

"At any rate, I must disclaim any intention of sounding the

' keynote ' for this conference, which is amply able to compose its own theme song. My talk to-day should more appropriately be

called a ' keyhole ' view instead of a ' keynote ' speech, for in my

opinion the printing industry is just beginning to peep into the

problem of scientific research. So I shall present my observations

from this point of view, and hope you will be charitable enough to accept them as prompted by a keyhole vision of the subject rather

than as an ambition on my part to make a keynote speech to such

a distinguished audience.

REAL KEYNOTE SOUNDED BY PRESIDENT HOOVER

" The real keynote for this conference was sounded by President

Hoover, in his recent address at Dearborn, paying tribute to Mr. Edison and his inventions. Our great engineer President declared they

' gave an outstanding illustration of the value of the modern method

and system of invention, by which highly equipped, definitely organized laboratory research transforms the raw material of scientific knowledge into new tools for the hand of man.'

"Again in the same address the President asserted ' It is organized

research that gives daily improvement in machines and processes,'

and he also emphasized that ' both scientific discovery ancl its practical application are the products of long and arduous research.'

" These statements of President Hoover are, I believe, conclusive

as to the value to industry of organized research and its benefit to
76 Annual Report of the Public Printer

civilization, for he speaks with intimate knowledge of the subject.

Thus accepting the expert judgment of the President as to the value

of organized laboratory research by other industries, let us now consider the necessity of similar research by the printing industry.

NECESSITY OF RESEARCH IS SELF-EVIDENT

"As a matter of fact, the necessity of research is so self-evident

and so well understood by everyone here that there is little need for

me to argue that proposition with this conference. We have only to observe the success of other great industries, like the automotive,

chemical, electrical, and metal groups, to appreciate the wonderful

accomplishments of scientific research and to realize the great benefits that would come to the printing industry by adopting similar

progressive methods. As President Hoover so well said at Dearborn, ' Research both in pure science and in its application to the

arts is one of the most potent impulses to progress.'

" We have long boasted that printing is ' the mother of progress,'

but if that relationship is to be determined by the impulses of re- search, which President Hoover asserts are most potent to progress, our industry is not living up to its maternity slogan, nor is it keeping

pace with other great industries in the successful application of

science.

VAST SUMS SPENT FOR RESEARCH WORK

" In marked contrast with the meager and unorganized support

that has been given to research by the printing industry, I invite

your attention to a statement by the National Industrial Conference

Board that the industrial corporations and the Government of the

United States are spending about $200,000,000 annually for industrial

research. It was likewise reported that more than 1,000 companies

are now operating research laboratories. In addition, 70 trade or- ganizations are spending $15,000,000 annually for research work,

and more than 150 colleges and technical schools are applying science

to help solve industrial problems at a cost of about $1,500,000 a year. Commending the constructive activity of the trade associations that are engaged in cooperative industrial research, the United States Chamber of Commerce sponsors the statement that the savings of

American industry from research amount to one-half billion dollars

annually.

" I do not assume to vouch for these immense figures of research

expenditures and savings, but even if they were only partially correct, the accomplishments are marvelous and should awaken in us an ardent desire to keep pace with the amazing progress that other

industries are making in organized scientific research.

IMPORTANCE OF THE PRINTING INDUSTRY

" The vast importance and power of the printing industry makes

its adoption of a definite research program all the more essential. According to the latest census reports it ranks with the foremost

groups of American manufactures. In value added by manufacture,

which is the most important item of all, the printing and related
Annual Report of the Public Printer 77

industries stand fourth among all the major industries of the United

States, having added a total of $2,808,457,000 to the value of materials

used in the year 1927. This immense sum was a close third to the

manufacture of food and kindred products, which in the same year was exceeded only by the manufacture of textiles and machinery.

In total value of products and cost of materials, the printing and

related industries rank seventh among all the major industries of the

United States; in amount of wages paid, fifth; and in number of

wage earners, sixth.

"It is evident, therefore, that vast interests are at stake in the

future progress of the printing industry, which, in my opinion,

depends largely upon proper consideration of the problems that only

organized research can solve. COORDINATED ACTION IS NOW NEEDED

" Considerable research work has been done from time to time by

various individual establishments in the printing industry, by its principal organizations, by the American Society of Mechanical

Engineers, and by commercial, college, and Government laboratories,

but the undertaking has lacked the coordination that is essential to

success. There must be an exchange of experiences of all these in- vestigations to crystallize their findings into definite form for coordinated action, which alone can insure progress.

" It is most timely, therefore, that this conference has been

called and most encouraging that leaders of the printing and re- lated industries have gathered here from various parts of the world

to discuss the greatest problem that has ever been presented to the

industry. I earnestly hope there may come from this conference a united determination to carry on the work proposed by the committee and that your efforts will meet with everlasting success. In

this enterprise I can assure you the full and hearty CQoperation of

the Government Printing Office. ELIMINATION OF WASTE IN INDUSTRY

" Elimination of waste has been the principal purpose of some

engineers in proposing the research method of reducing the losses of various industries. The printing and publishing industries were

declared to be among the most wasteful of all, according to the

report published several years ago by a committee of the Federated

American Engineering Societies that included printing in its investigation of six selected industries. Preventable wastes observed in the

selected industries were reported to range from 29 to 64 per cent,

and printing stood next to the head of the list with an average waste

of 58 per cent.

" For some reason or other the printing industry has paid little attention to this accusation of gross inefficiency, although the charge was broadcast in book form by the engineering societies eight years

ago and later repeated in a Government publication.

" In the meantime the printing industry has continued to progress

and to prosper until census statistics show that it ranks near the

top of all the industries in the United States. According to the
78 Annual Report of the Public Printer

1929 Commerce Yearbook, the value added to materials used by the

printing and related industries in 1927, the latest report, was 11

per cent more than in 1925, an increase which the yearbook stated was ' more marked than in most other census industry groups.'

REPORT WAS BASED ON A HASTY SURVEY

" Therefore, the printing business does not appear to be in as bad

a condition as the report on waste in industry might indicate. I must

confess, however, that on first reading of the report I was greatly

alarmed and felt that, by taking on the job of Public Printer and

associating with such a wasteful industry, I had fallen in with

derelicts and incompetents who were headed for eternal ruination.

" However, my confidence was restored somewhat when a more

careful study of the report revealed that it was based on a hasty

survey of only 6 or 7 out of more than 34,000 printing plants in the

United States and that additional information was furnished by only

19 other plants. I am happy that the Government Printing Office was not among the few plants whose records were used to indict the

entire printing industry for gross wastefulness.

"There is one other statement in the report on waste in industry

which it seems timely to call to your attention, and that is the amazing conclusion of the individual engineer who made the printing

survey. He boldly predicts that, if his recommendations are adopted,

' the cost of printing to the ultimate consumer could be reduced on

an average at least one-third.' That is very encouraging to the

ultimate consumer. But what about the printer and publisher who

are faced with constantly increasing wages, shorter hours of labor,

and the multiplicity of taxes, rents, insurance, and other charges

over which they have no control ? All of these essential charges not

only add to the cost of the printer's own products but also to the

price he has to pay for his materials and machines.

LITTLE PROSPECT TO REDUCE PRINTING COST

"In my humble opinion it will require the combined ingenuity

of efficiency engineers and practical printers to avoid increases in the

future cost of printing. With the higher standards of living and

the more general enjoyment of things that few could afford in former

years, there is little prospect for reduction in the cost of printing

during our lifetime.

" If it is true that preventable wastes in the printing industry

amount to 58 per cent, as our engineer critic estimates, we are guilty

of throwing away about $1,600,000,000 every year, based on the

census valuation of printed products at $2,846,000,000 for the year

1927. The suggested reduction of one-third in the cost to the ulti- mate consumer might benefit him to the extent of about $950,000,000

annually, which would still leave the printer a margin of at least ^600,000,000, if the preventable waste could be eliminated.

" It is claimed that this miracle can be performed by standardization and simplification alone. The authority for that statement is none other than the United States Bureau of Standards, which, in a printed report on waste in industry, discloses that—I quote the exact
Annual Eeport of the Piiblic Printer 79

words—'$10,000,000,000 could be saved annually through standardization and simplification alone,' if adopted by the six industries,

including printing, which the committee of the engineering societies declared so wasteful.

" That challenge is sufficient cause for this conference to meet

and discuss the status of the printing industry and the necessity

for research to remedy our wasteful ways. But let us pause for the

moment to consider some of the evidence upon which the printing

industry has been found guilty of wasting more than a billion

dollars annually.

SA^^:xG by standardized bank checks

" For instance, it has been charged that there is gross waste in

the printing of thousands of varieties of bank checks and that

$20,000,000 a year will be saved by the adoption of standard checks.

It is asserted that this reform has already been accomplished and

that thousands of varieties of bank checks, notes, and so forth, have

been reduced to a single standard size, "

' To-day,' says a foremost advocate of simplified practice, ' more

than 85 per cent of all checks used are simplified checks.' However,

the thousands of checks constantly coming to the Government Printing Office from all parts of the country do not sustain the optimistic

statement I have just quoted. As a test I examined 270 checks re- ceived in our office one day last week and found 71 different sizes. " The same authority for the standardization of bank checks also

states ' printers have estimated that simplification has reduced the

cost of checks by $2.50 per thousand.' In my opinion, the printers

who made this estimate were ' spoofing ' the simplified-practice chief. " The total cost of printing bank checks on safety paper in lots of 5,000 will not average $2.50 per thousand, so it would be some- what difficult to save that amount on each thousand checks. In fact,

Government Printing Office figures show that the printing of bank

checks on safety paper in sheets of five or more, the usual practice,

costs under $2.50 for the first thousand checks. The added thou-^ sand rate is much less. It would require a new method of cost accounting to figure out a $20,000,000 saving on this basis. I am inclined, therefore, to believe that at least this $20,000,000 will have to be deducted from

the anticipated savings through standardization and simplification

alone. STANDARDIZATION EOR THE NEWSPAPERS

"Another interesting item in the report on waste in the printing

industry is the proposal for the standardization of newspapers to one size, which, it is asserted, ' would make possible an annual saving

of three to five million dollars' on composition and plates alone.' It

is difficult to understand how such a saving on composition and

plates alone could be made unless there is a corresponding reduction

in the amount of news matter and advertisements that would be

printed in a standard-sized newspaper. Perhaps a newspaper that

now exceeds the standard size would turn over its surplus news and

advertisements to a less fortunate competitor and thus maintain a 72200—30 6
80 Annual Report of the Public Printer

happy average. Otherwise, the result would necessarily be more

pages of the standard size and consequently no saving in composition

and plates. " But even this standardization could not be brought about until

all odd-sized equipment had been junked and replaced at a cost of

many million dollars in excess of the estimated saving through adoption of the one-size newspaper.

NEWSPAPERS MOOTING IN RIGHT DIRECTION

"In this connection it is pleasing to note that the newspapers

themselves are working out a practical solution of their mechanical

problems, as shown by the annual survey which has just been published by the Editor and Publisher, of New York. 'Statistics on machine equipment in composing and press rooms show,' says that

publication, ' a noticeable tendency toward standardization, in that

machines of a single make are replacing equipment produced in half

a dozen factories and of various ages and productive ability.' " It is evident, therefore, that the newspapers are moving in the

right direction of their own accord and will eventually settle the

question of standard equipment to meet their own requirements and

the desire to render better service to their readers and advertisers.

" The plan to eliminate waste in the printing industry also provides

that book and job printing shall be of standard form, restricted to standard sizes of paper, and limited to a comparatively few standard

faces of type. In other words, it is proposed to take the art out of

printing and make it a mere mechanical product, utterly devoid of

the artistry and beauty for which the art preservative of all the arts has long been admired.

PRINTING IS NOT LIKE PAVING BRICKS

" In this urge for standardization, printing should not and can not

be placed with paving bricks and plumbing supplies. Just as the

painter or sculptor must have freedom to express his art with brush

or chisel, so should the printer be permitted to manifest his art with

type and paper.

" Even in this machine-minded Nation,, let us not forget the great

debt that civilization owes to printing, nor do anything to mar its beauty and charm for future generations.

"Above everything else, printing in all its branches is an art and

should not be standardized for production on an assembling line

like a modern automobile. Even Mr. Ford has come to recognize

that there must be art in the making of a motor car, and has

yielded to the popular demand for variety in design. So, too, must

the printer be permitted to progress with the increasing culture of an advancing civilization.

" Although recognizing the need to eliminate waste and effect economies in the printing industry, I do not believe that the art of

printing has added materially to the preventable waste in industry.

Printers and newspaper publishers are constantly endeavoring to simplify their practices and conform to acceptable standards, and

they should be allowed to continue doing so in fond regard for the

art which they alone are capable of interpreting.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 81

NO OPPOSITION TO SENSIBLE STANDARDS

" Please do not interpret these remarks as opposing a practical or

sensible standardization in printing. In line with the progress that

printers have made in standardization of their own accord, I invite

your attention to the action of the Government Printing Office in

reducing its publications from more than 50 to 8 standard sizes. Three-fourths of the 100,000,000 books and pamphlets issued annually

by the Government are now either octavo or quarto in size. Perhaps

that is the reason they are read so little. " The envelopes used by the Government have been reduced from

about a dozen to only four standard sizes. " Government letterheads and blank forms are of one size, 8 by 10^2

inches, cut without waste from the old standard double demy sheet

of 21 by 32 inches. By adopting this size of letterhead instead of

the commercial standard of 8I/2 by 11 inches, the Government has

been saving approximately $50,000 annually for the last six years, which goes to show that there is economy sometimes in letting the

printer set his own standards.

STANDARDIZATION OF MATERIALS REAL NEED

" This leads me to suggest what I believe is the real necessity at

this time for scientific research in the printing industry; that is, the standardization of materials required in printing, whether it

is wasteful or useful, varied or uniform. In such standardization,

organized scientific research can be of the greatest service to the

printing industry, which spends annually more than three-quarters

of a billion dollars for its materials.

" The printing industry has already made splendid progress in the

field of mechanical engineering, as shown by the marvelous development of typesetting machines, printing presses, and other equipment

that make possible the speed and economies of present-day production. But in the field of chemical engineering, which has to do

with the vast quantity of materials used in printing, the industry

is just beginning to find a new and even greater opportunity for

advancement.

" To improve its own condition and keep pace with other industries,

printing must avail itself more and more of the chemical engineer,

for, in the words of the financial editor of the New York Commercial,

^ there is no business to-day whose welfare and interests are not bound

up with chemistry.' The same writer further asserts that ' there is no industry—not one—that is not in danger of waking up to-morrow

and finding that the chemist has made a discovery that might revolutionize it,' and he warns, ' no industry which does not command the

services of chemists and the resources of a laboratory can be regarded

as secure.' A DEFINITION OF LABORATORY RESEARCH

" Definitely organized laboratory research, which President Hoover

pointed out in his Dearborn tribute to ^Edison as the way to success, has been held by another authority to be ' nothing more nor less than an intelligent inquiry into how to do practical things; if they are
82 Annual Report of the Publie Printer

new, how they can be done in the best way ; if they are old, how in a

better way.' The intelligent inquiry will have to be made by

capable engineers.

" Printing materials and processes present more problems that

chemical engineers can solve than are offered by almost any other

industry. The extent of this field for research is apparent from the

fact that the cost of printing materials constitutes more than a fourth of the entire value of printing products. All the materials

of the printing industry, such as paper, inks, rollers, tj^pe and plate

metals, adhesives, platemaking solutions, oils', detergents, and bindery textiles, must be subjected to the microscopic, chemical, and

physical tests of the laboratory to determine their quality and suit- ability for satisfactory service.

" Likewise, the materials used in the construction of printing machinery are within the scope of scientific research to develop even

better equipment than that which has brought the printing industry

to its present high standard of efficiency.

BENEFIT OF SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS

" The logical outcome of such scientific investigations by chemical

and mechanical engineers would be the development of better standards for printing materials and machinery—standards that will improve the quality of printing products, curtail the waste, and assure greater success for the industry.

" The standardization of materials will also insure fairer competition among the printers, simplify problems of stock and production, and prove more satisfactory to their customers. Furthermore, the manufacture of standardized printing materials would

effect a large saving in which the printers are entitled to share.

SCIENTIFIC TESTING OF MATERIALS

" However, the adoption of standards alone will not be sufficient to secure these benefits. There will have to be an accurate and

scientific testing of the materials and equipment from time to time

to insure compliance with the specifications. It has been the ex- perience of the Government Printing Office that even the most trust- worthy contractors will make mistakes and that assurances of quality

are sometimes no more reliable than the labels of a patent-medicine

bottle. The ' proof of the pudding is in the eating '

; the proof of

the quality of printing materials can only be determined by testing. " Frequent testing will also be of great service in the development

of new and better specifications, for no standards can be set up as a

finality. If the printing industry is to receive the full benefits of

research, there must be a constant effort to improve the specifications

for its materials.

" For the testing of materials it will be necessary to maintain or employ competent laboratories which can also carry on research work

for the industry. The larger printing plants and newspapers may

find it more serviceable to establish their own laboratories, as the
Annual Report of the Puhlic Printer 83

Government Printing Office has done. Laboratories are also neces- sary in the larger manufacturing plants to maintain proper technical

control of materials and whatever processes require scientific regulation.

GOVEKNMENT PRINTING OiTICE LABORATORY

" The research laboratory of the Government Printing Office, in addition to developing specifications for printing materials and

maintaining the prescribed standards by scientific tests, also exer-

-cises technical control over its own products, such as inks, press

rollers, type metals, plating solutions, detergents, and bindery

adhesives.

*• The Government Printing Office laboratory was established in

1923 with a staff of six employees, but the work has so broadened

and increased that it has now become a major activity, designated

as the division of tests and technical control, with more than a score of employees and an annual expenditure of about $40,000.

" With the completion next year of a large addition to our main

building, nearly an entire floor of that structure will be occupied by

the technical division, which will undoubtedly then have the best

equipped and most modern laboratory in the world devoted exclusively to printing research work. Furthermore, the entire Government Printing Office is available as a laboratory which can and should

be of practical service to the printing and related industries.

" It is my opinion that the printing industries are as much entitled to help from the Government Printing Office in the solution of their

problems as the agricultural, labor, banking, and various commercial

interests are to the assistance they have received for years from other

establishments of the Government.

WORK OF THE RESEARCH LABORATORY

" Perhaps I can better present the advantages of scientific research

by pointing out a few of the benefits that the Government Printing

Office has received from the work of its technical division. At first the laboratory devoted its time mostly to the testing of paper to determine compliance with the standard specifications. This work of

itself is no small task, involving the testing of approximately 5,000

samples annually to determine the quality of the yearly purchase of

45,000,000 pounds of all grades of paper. The experience has been

of great value in the development of definite grades and standards

of paper for general as well as Government use. "Aside from its routine testing work, the laboratory has undertaken

a number of important investigations of printing materials and

processes. One of the most important was the standardization of

6,600,000 pounds of linotype, monotype, stereotype, and electrotype

alloys, which resulted in a saving of approximately $400,000. The

old metal contained an excessive amount of tin due to previous ' rule- of-thumb ' corrections. Standardization added to our supply of typemetal alloys 1,099,000 pounds of corrected metal at practically the

cost of lead, thereby effecting a further saving of $35,000.
84 Annual Report of the Piiblic Printer

"And even greater benefit from the standardization of type-metal

alloys is in the reduced expense of operating type-casting machines^

the elimination of difficulty in molding processes, and the better

quality of presswork.

SAVINGS IN CLEANING COMPOUNDS

" The laboratory has been of another good service in disclosing for our own information the ordinary ingredients used in certain commercial compounds extensively used as solvents. For instance, the

sample of an ink solvent with a well-known name was found to

consist almost entirely of kerosene colored with a little pine-tar oil. " Several other cleaning compounds selling for 12 to 15 cents a pound showed on analysis that they were composed largely of

trisodium phosphate, which can be bought in quantities for 4 to 5

cents a pound. This investigation enabled the laboratory to prepare

better formulae for cleaning mixtures, which the Government Printing Office is now using, at a saving of about $10,000 a year. The

Postal Service has also adopted the same formulae for the cleaning

of automobile parts at post offices throughout the country.

" Another interesting contribution of the laboratory is the utiliza- tion of old press-roller composition to make glue for bindery

adhesives.' The old rollers were formerly sold as waste material for

about cents a pound, while 15 cents a pound had been paid for

bindery glue. The utilization of this waste material is saving the

office about $3,000 a year. COOPERATION WITH THE TYPOTHET^

" Our first cooperative research work was with the United

Typothetse of America, which in 1924 accepted an offer of the Public

Printer to assist in establishing standard grades of bond and ledger

papers. An expert employed by the Typothetse aided in preparing

the preliminary report. Another report was published by the Government Printing Office in 1928, but no action on it has been taken by

the Typothetse. However, the grades proposed for bond and ledger

papers have been adopted by the Government and used satisfactorily

for several years. ''Believing that cooperative research work with the printing and

related industries would be helpful both to the Government and to the industries in the development of uniform specifications and

standards of printing materials, a recommendation was submitted to Congress that the Government Printing Office be formally authorized

by law to engage in such work.

" This was done by the act of May 14, 1928, which specifically in- cluded the Government Printing Office in the list of industrial and

scientific establishments of the Government that are authorized by

law to offer their facilities to scientific investigators and qualified

individuals for study, research, and the promotion of knowledge.

Accordingly, the Government Printing Office now has the same legal

right to cooperative scientific investigations as has any other establishment of the Government.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 85

OTHER COUNTEIES TO BEGIN RESEARCH WORK

" In view of the research work started by the Government Printing

Office, it is very gratifying to note that graphic art organizations and

master printers in other countries are also beginning to propose the

application of science to research by the printing industry.

At the Tliird International Congress of Master Printers, which

I had the privilege of attending in London last April as a representative of the United Typothetse of America, research was a principal

subject of discussion by that notable gathering of several hundred

master printers from a score of countries.

" In urging the London congress to organize an international

bureau as a clearing house of technical information, Mr. W. Howard

Hazell, a distinguished English printer, declared ' the time is ripe

for a complete and careful national and international investigation

into all our means of production and the methods of dealing with

materials in order to discover what improvements can be made.'

The international bureau for master printers was favored also

by a noted French printer. M. Gabriel Delmas, of Bordeaux, who

proposed ' a common investigation of all the problems raised by the

methodical organization of the profession in the educative, commercial, and technical aspects.'

" Mr. Rudolf Ullstein, the head of the German delegation, suggested that the first and foremost duty of an international bureau

would be the circulation of information respecting various interests,

including standardization of type, paper, and machinery.

IXTERNATIONAL BUREAU IS ESTABLISHED

" The London Congress of Master Printers accordingly agreed to

establish an international bureau, which is to have its headquarters

in Berlin.

The Worshipful Company of Stationers, that famous organization of English printers and publishers, whose present master is the Lord Mayor of the city of London, has also given its powerful

support to printing research. It recently appointed a committee

to consider the desirability and feasibility of instituting a technical

research bureau for the pooling of information and to conduct

scientific investigation of technical problems.

" This action was inspired by a lecture on the application of science to printing, which Mr. George L. Eiddell, the talented son of the

principal of the London School of Printing, delivered at a large

gathering of English printers several months ago in the London

Stationers' Hall. In his address Mr. Eiddell commented at considerable length on the research work of the Government Printing Office,

citing it as an example for the British printers to study.

" It is therefore especially pleasing for me to welcome here to-day

the elder Riddell, who, in addition to being principal of the great

London School of Printing, is an honored leader of the British

industry, and is also an ardent advocate of scientific research.

"It is likewise a great pleasure to renew at this conference my

friendship with Herr Helmberger, of Berlin, the distinguished direc- tor of the Reichsdruckerei, the Government Printing Office of
86 Annual Report of the Ptthlic Printer

Germany. I have had the privilege of visiting his wonderful establishment and have profited much by the splendid spirit of cooperation which Herr Helmberger and his associates have manifested in

discussing our mutual problems as the printers for two great Governments. The Keichsdruckerei has done much excellent research

work, which I hope through the exchange of experiences and coordinated action can be made available to the industry.

VIEWPOINT OF PRINTER, NOT AN ENGINEER

"This brings me to the stopping place, as I have exhausted my

thoughts and myself as well. Undoubtedly, I have exhausted you

also. It has not been my purpose to come before you as an engineer

or as an expert in any line of research, but I have endeavored, from

the viewpoint of a practical printer, to submit my general observations of the research problems which will be discussed here by others

better qualified to present a scientific and technical study of the

subjects we are to consider.

" In concluding, I wish to thank you again for the privilege of

participating in this notable conference and to assure you that the

Government Printing Office stands ready at any time and in any way

to cooperate with the printing industry in a program of definitely

organized scientific research."

GRAPHIC ARTS RESEARCPI FOUNDATION PROPOSED

At the conclusion of the two-day conference in Pittsburgh the dele- gates from the 27 participating organizations unanimously adopted

the following resolutions, pledging support to a Graphic Arts Research Foundation and appointing a ways and means committee

to formulate a plan for its establishment

Whereas the representatives of the Graphic Arts of North America in attend- ance at this International Conference on Printing Research recognize the important contribution to industrial progress which is being made through

technical research, whether it be in the field of transportation or communication,

in the manufacture of electrical equipment or chemical supplies, or in other

basic industries ; and

Whereas the Graphic Arts of North America must encourage and carry on

technical research in a comprehensive way in order to cope with present day

industrial problems : Therefore, be it Resolved, that a Graphic Arts Research Foundation be established, which

shall be supported and counseled by all graphic arts interests that desire to cooperate.

That chief among the purposes of the Research Foundation will be to

1. Conduct basic technical research in all phases of the graphic arts.

2. Consider concrete problems of immediate importance to the graphic arts.

3. Outline means of testing inventions and of inspection or checking results of manufacture or purchase for the benefit of the graphic arts.

4. Cooperate with other Graphic Arts Research agencies to avoid duplication,

except as requested for confirmation and checking purposes.

5. Record and index properly all research work in process, all research data

available, and other pertinent information.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 87

6. Publish results of all general research activities and special studies.

7. Initiate desirable research projects, including the economics of the in- dustry : And be it Further resolved, That a ways and means committee be appointed by the chairman to formulate a plan to establish and maintain this research foundation ; and be it Further resolved, That the representatives of the Graphic Arts interests in attendance at this International Conference on Printing Research hereby pledge themselves to advocate and promote the active participation of their respective

interests toward the consummation of this plan for a Graphic Arts Research

Foundation.

CAFETEEIA AND EECREATION ASSOCIATION

The president of the Government Printing Office Cafeteria and

Recreation Association, a voluntary organization of employees having in charge the activities indicated by its name, reports unusual

success in all of the association's undertakings during the past

year. The total receipts for the year ended October 14, 1929,

amounted to $232,212.67, an increase of $10,446.45, and the largest

receipts for any year since the cafeteria was established in 1922. During the year, 814,895 orders for food were served, the average

daily patronage being 2,612. The maximum patronage for one day was on November 2, 1928, with a total of 3,667 out of 3,825 employees

working at that time.

Quite a number of employees eat all their meals in the cafeteria,

which operates on a 20-hour service when the regular night force is working. The principal lunch period, however, is at noon, but

owing to the various shifts meals have to be provided at other times,

especially late at night and early in the morning, in order to accom- modate employees working at unusual hours.

Employees are allowed 30 minutes for each lunch period, including

time of going to and returning from the cafeteria. To provide adequate elevator service for the large number at noon and midnight,

lunch periods have been staggered so that groups may go to lunch

at intervals of 10 or 15 minutes. The plan has facilitated the lunch

service, and the cafeteria, with its seats and tables for 700 persons,

is thus able to accommodate the entire force by several lunch periods.

EXPENDITUEES OF THE ASSOCIATION

The cafeteria association maintains a staff of 67 employees, all the

wages of whom are paid from the receipts of the association which

operates on substantially a cost basis. During the year the association expended $6,119.67 of its own funds for the purchase and replacement of equipment, including a new dishwasher costing $2,700.

The association also renders financial assistance to the recreational

and entertainment activities which it sponsors on behalf of employees^
88 Annual Report of the Public Printer

such as the baseball and bowling teams, the annual Christmas? enter- tainment for the children of employees, the day and night orchestras,

and the annual excursion to a near-by summer resort. More than 2,000

children attend the Christmas entertainments in Harding Hall, and

fully 1,800 employees and their families enjoyed the annual outing to Chapel Point on July 24, 1929.

The baseball teams are practically self-sustaining through the proceeds of entertainments in Harding Hall during the winter months.

Last year the white and colored baseball teams won second places in

the three Government leagues and now treasure in the office trophy

case sixteen first and second place cups won during the last seven

years. Eeceipts from the four bowling alleys in the office more than pay

the expenses of operation and upkeep. Last year, 65,567 games were

rolled on the office alleys, which are used by the night employees

during the day and the day employees during the evening.

ENTERTAINMENTS IN HARDING HALL

Owing to the reconstruction of Harding Hall there have been no

assemblies or entertainments for employees since that work began in

June, 1929. As soon as the new hall is available it is planned to resume its use for the benefit of employees.

Formal assemblies are usually held on the days preceding certain

legal holidays, as the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Memorial

Day; and also on Armistice Day. For those occasions prominent

speakers are invited to address the audiences in Harding Hall, and

an excellent program of music is provided by the office orchestra

and other talent of note. The Memorial Day speaker on May 29,

1929, was Hon. Eoy G. Fitzgerald, of Ohio, chairman of the House

Committee on Eevision of the Laws.

Besides generously contributing to the aid of their fellow

employees through numerous relief associations and special benefit

funds, the employees of the Government Printing Office are always

liberal in their response to the annual Ked Cross roll call and the

annual " buddy-poppy " sale by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

ANNUAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RED CROSS

The Red Cross subscription for 1930 amounted to $1,527.90, which was exceeded in the Government service only by the Treasury

Department. That department, including the Bureau of Engraving

and Printing, has 13,720 employees in Washington, while the Government Printing Office has only 4,400 on its rolls. In recognition of this splendid service the roll-call director of the

District of Columbia Chapter of the American Eed Cross, Mrs.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 89

Harry C. Barnes, addressed the following letter, dated November

27, 1929, to the chief clerk, Mr. H. H. Wright, who has charge of the

Red Cross enrollment in the Government Printing Office

We are very glad to welcome the employees of the Government Printing Office who enrolled as members of the District of Columbia Chapter, American Red

Cross, for the year 1930, and take pleasure in acknowledging receipt of their membership dues amounting to $1,527.90. This enrollment, we are pleased to report, exceeds that of last year by an increase of $25.65. Permit me to express to the personnel of the Government Printing Office our

<3eep appreciation for their very generous enrollment. More and more our

chapter looks to the Government departments for increased strength and sup- port in its important work, and each year we note the growth of these memberships.

It is a genuine pleasure to receive the whole-hearted response from the Gov- ernment Printing Office, and on behalf of the chapter I desire to extend our many thanks to each member who enrolled. May I also thank you most cor- dially for the time and service you have personally given to the cause of the

roll call, as well as those who assisted in the work of soliciting. " BUDDY POPPY " SALE SUPPORTED BY EMPLOYEES

The following letter, in regard to the success of the " buddy

poppy " sale, was received by the Public Printer from the commander

of the National Capital Post No. 127, Veterans of Foreign Wars,

Mr. O. W. Hollingsworth

Receipt is acknowledged of a check through the Government Printing Office Cafeteria and Recreation Association in the amount of $144.44, the proceeds

from the sale of the " buddy poppy " in the Government Printing Office during

the " buddy poppy " campaign of May 27 to 29, inclusive, 1929.

I assure you, honorable Mr. Carter, that this organization is indeed proud of the cooperation and assistance that you have extended to this most worthy and

charitable cause. Therefore, in behalf of National Capital Post No. 127, Vet- erans of Foreign Wars of the United States, I wish to extend the most sincere and heartfelt thanks and appreciation to you; the Government Printing Office Cafeteria and Recreation Association ; Miss Mary A. Tate, assistant to the Public Printer ; the Misses Eva Cunningham, Hedwig A. Smolinski, L. Miriam

Pyne, K. E. Shipman ; Mrs. Mary J. Killian, and Mrs. Vera Flester ; and to the

entire employment of your bureau in helping make this year's " buddy poppy " campaign an outstanding success. INCEEASE IN THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

According to the report of the chief clerk, the total number of

employees on the rolls of the Government Printing Office June 30,

1929, was 4,187, an increase of 137 over the number on June 30, 1928.

Owing to unusual requirements for the special session of Congress

and the new administration, there has been a further increase in

the number of employees, bringing the total on December 31, 1929,

up to 4,408, which includes 160 apprentices and 315 employees in the

office of the Superintendent of Documents. That is the largest

number of employees since November, 1921.
90 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The appointments of employees during the fiscal year 1929 totaled

417 and the separations 280. The labor turnover for the year was

about 16 per cent. The largest turnover was among messenger boys

and laborers, many of the former being employed only during school

vacations.

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS SATISFACTORY

Employment in the skilled trades remains quite steady, owing to satisfaction with wages and working conditions. Of printers, there were 116 appointments and 81 separations, the latter including 18

retirements. Pressmen and bookbinders each had 13 appointments

and 11 separations. Photo-engraver appointments were 3 and sepa- rations 6. There were no changes in the personnel of stereotypers

and electrotypers during the fiscal year. Fifty-nine apprentices were appointed, of whom 43 were for training as printers, 8 as bookbinders, 7 as pressmen, and 1 as photo-engraver.

There were 45 deaths among employees during the year ended

June 30, 1929, one of which occurred in the office. None was due

to injuries received in the service.

The Government does not pay any death benefits, but the employees of the Government Printing Office have a number of voluntary relief associations, which provide benefits of $260 to $500. Some

of the trade-unions of which employees may be members also pay

moderate death benefits. The estate of a Government Printing Office employee is also entitled to payment for whatever wages and unused leave of absence

may be due the employee at the time of death. The largest individual payment in 1929 was $481.84, and the total for the year was

$8,018.11. In addition, a deceased employee's retirement contributions, with 4 per cent interest, are returnable to his estate. RETIREMENTS TOTAL 805 FOR NINE YEARS

Retirements during the fiscal year concluded the Government service of 43 employees, 30 of whom retired on account of age and 13 on

account of disability. All those retired were entitled to annuities

from the Government ranging from $214.80 to $1,000 a year, the

latter amount being the maximum allowed by law.

Since the retirement law became effective on August 20, 1920, there

have been 805 retirements from the Government Printing Office on

account of age and disability. During the period up to June 30,

1929, employees of the Government Printing Office have paid into

the retirement fund the sum of $1,717,783.87, which was collected by

deducting 3% per cent (2i/^ per cent prior to July 1, 1926) from

their salaries and wages each pay day. The retirement bureau is unable to advise this office as to the total amount paid to retired
Annual Report of the Public Printer 91

employees of the Government Printing Office, but it is known that

295 of the 805 employees who retired since 1920 were each granted

the maximum annuity of $1,000 a year. RETIREMENT LAW UNFAIR TO THE TRADES

The present retirement law does not appear to be fair or just to the employees of the Government Printing Office, especially to the

skilled trades which constitute the greater part of the force. A

skilled tradesman is required to contribute almost double the amount

paid by a $1,500 clerk, who is entitled on retirement to the same

annuity.

For example, a printer whose wages are $1.10 per hour, or $2,754.40

per year, must pay $96.40 annually to the retirement fund, while a clerk at $1,500 contributes only $52.50 annually, and yet on retire- ment after 30 years' service each receives an annuity of $1,000.

Another typical instance of the discrimination against the skilled

trades is the specific case of a compositor who has contributed $620.69

to the retirement fund since 1920, and of a laborer whose contributions

have amounted to only $314.83 for the same period. On retirement,

the compositor will receive an annuity of $1,000, and the laborer,

$750, although the compositor has paid almost double the retire- ment contributions of the laborer.

It may be argued that as mechanics are retirable at an earlier age

65 years instead of 70 as for other employees—their contributions

to the retirement fund are correspondingly reduced; but there

is no financial benefit in the earlier retirement age, as everyone

must have served at least 30 years to be entitled to the maximum

annuity. Furthermore, with two extensions of two j^ears each, the

mechanic would be almost the same age on retirement as the clerk

who can retire at 70. MAXIMUM ANNUITY IS INSUFFICIENT

Many employees in the skilled trades have been found capable of

good service on extended time, and have asked to be retained, as they

could not afford to retire at an earlier age on the present annuity.

As a matter of fact, the maximum annuity of $1,000 is insufficient and ought to be increased to at least $1,200 a year with an additional

amount for those who have made greater contributions to the retire- ment fund.

Another injustice of the present retirement law is its discrimination against employees who have served more than 15 years before

reaching retirement age, and who can therefore be granted only two

extensions of two years each. This requires the arbitrary retirement

of a skilled employee with more than 15 years' service at the age of
92 Annual Report of the Public Printer

69, while some one else, with no Government experience, could be

appointed in his place at the age of 64 and can not be retired, under

the 15-year service provision, until he is 79 years of age. Yet the

employee who has devoted the better part of his life to the Government service, and who generally would be more experienced and

valuable from longer service, must in any event be retired at 69. The 15-year service provision of the retirement law encourages

older persons to seek support on the Government pay roll in their

declining years, and at the same time penalizes the younger employee

who has given the greater part of his life to the service of the

Government. The law should be amended to remove this discrimination and to prevent misuse of Government pay rolls. LIMITING EXTENSIONS IMPAIRS SERVICE

The Public Printer also recommends repeal of the provision in

the present retirement law prohibiting more than two extensions

after August 20, 1930, and requiring the retirement at that time of

all employees who have served four years beyond their regular retirement age. This arbitrary restriction will end the services of a number of employees whose long experience and special knowledge, to- gether with their physical fitness, are of the greatest value to the

Government.

The Government Printing Office now has 150 employees on first and second extensions and 42 others with more than two extensions.

Under the present law all of these employees will have to retire in

the next few years regardless of the value of their continued service to the Government.

There are at present a number of employees in the Government

Printing Office whose retirement would be a serious loss to the public service. A specific case, well known to almost every Member of Congress, is that of William Andrew Smith, who has represented every Public Printer as Congressional Record clerk at the

Capitol for more than 51 years. There is no more efficient or capable employee in the entire Government service than Mr. Smith,

and the Public Printer would be most happy to retain him in the

position where he has rendered such faithful and notable service to Members of Congress in their business relations with this office. However, unless the present retirement limit is removed, Mr. Smith

will have to retire on August 20, 1930.

The Public Printer therefore recommends that Congress at this

session grant the privilege of further retirement extensions in special cases where the continuance of an employee in this office would be ad-
Annual Report of the Public Printer 93

vantageous to the public service. If deemed advisable, the Public

Printer would be glad to submit such cases to the Joint Committee on Printing for its approval.

MEDIOAI. SERVICE RENDERED EMPLOYEES

As authorized by law, the Government Printing Office maintains an emergency room for the use of all employees who may be taken

suddenly ill or receive injury while on duty. During the fiscal year,

14,451 treatments were given to injured and sick employees by the

office staff of two physicians assisted by three graduate nurses, who alternate on duty for the day and night forces. Of these treat- ments, 3,577 were of surgical nature and 6,190 medical, requiring

4,684 treatments. Employees of the near-by city post office are also treated when

its medical aid is absent, and 207 post-office employees availed themselves of the privilege during the year. The medical and sanitary officer also has full supervision over the

sanitation of the entire office and the safeguarding of all machinery.

As evidence of his good work in this regard, as well as in the care that has been given to injured employees, it is gratifying to report

that only 15 employees required Government compensation because

of injuries during the year. Physical examinations of employees are made on entrance to the

service, on application for extension of retirement time, and whenever deemed necessary to determine fitness for duty. These ex- aminations numbered 673 for the year. In addition, the medical

staff reviewed 4,433 reports of employees absent for illness or death

in family, so as to safeguard the health of their fellow employees

and determine fitness for return to duty. A number of cases of

quarantine were also investigated and visits made to the homes

of employees to ascertain their physical condition. Thirty-six cases were sent to the Public Health Service for hospitalization. X-ray

treatment, etc., and eight cases to the Veterans' Bureau for treat- ment.

HYGIENIC CONDITIONS OF THE OFFICE

In concluding his annual report, the medical and sanitary

officer submitted the following statement of health and sanitary

conditions in the Government Printing Office during the fiscal year 1929

Constant vigilance is being maintained as to the hygienic conditions of the

plant, and for this purpose tours of inspection are made as regularly as cir- cumstances will permit.
94 Annual Report of the Public Printer

It is very apparent that considerable thought and good judgment has en- tered into the rearrangement of the mechanical equipment and layout of work in many of the sections. In each of these moves consideration has been

given for the safety and comfort of the worker, as well as for a better lay- out for production.

Splendid cooperation has been given by the superintendents, foremen-, and

workmen in keeping the plant clean. Our working conditions are good; our people are happy, healthy, and contented. Under authority of the act approved February 28, 1929 (Public

No. 844, 70th Cong.), the Public Printer has discontinued the printing of such other and additional reports for the fiscal year ended

June 30, 1929, as have usually been submitted to Congress concerning

the business of the Government Printing Office. The original copies

of such reports will be kept on file in the office of the Public Printer

for public inspection, as provided for in said act. Kespectfully submitted.
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS

STATISTICAL TABLES

72200—30- 95

STATISTICAL TABLES

Compiled by the Superintendent of Accounts and Budget Officer

Table 1.Resources and liabilities under appropriations for the fiscal year ended' June 30, 1929

resources

Appropriation for working capital $2, 500, 000. 00 Deficiency act March 4, 1929„ 3, 600. 00 Payments from all sources for printing and binding... 9, 308, 822. 83 Kefunds and receipts from various sources 378. 73

Bills receivable July 1, 1929, for printing and binding furnished. 919, 071. 09

450, 000. 00

26, 000. 00

$12, 731, 872. 65

476, 000. 00

187, 000. 00

Appropriation for salaries for Superintendent of Documents.

Deficiency act March 4, 1929 Appropriation for general expenses, office of Superintendent of Documents.

Total resources available for fiscal year 1929 $13, 394, 872. 65 uabilities Working capital and repayments for printing and binding: Disbursed to Jvme 30, 1929 $11, 154, 335. 26 Outstanding obligations July 1, 1929 1, 199, 894. 71 Total disbursed and outstanding obligations 12, 354, 229. 97

Salaries, office of Superintendent of Documents:

Disbursed to June 30, 1929 435, 206. 28 Outstanding obligations July 1, 1929 18, 140. 96 Total disbursed and outstanding obligations General expenses. Office of Superintendent of Documents:

Disbursed to June 30, 1929.. Outstanding obligations July 1, 1929

453, 347. 24

106, 806. 61

73, 052. 47 Total disbursed and outstanding obligations 179, 859. 08 Total disbursed to June 30, 1929 11, 696, 348. 15 Total outstanding obligations July 1, 1929 1, 291, 088. 14 Total disbursed and outstanding obligations Unobligated balance (.subject to 10 per cent over or under on outstanding orders)

12, 987, 436. 29

407, 436. 36

13, 394, 872. 65 Table 2.

Summary of financial transactions in fiscal year ended June 30, 1929y

covering appropriations for fiscal years 1927, 1928, and 1929

APPROPRIATION FOR 1927

Resources Disburse- ments Unexpended

balance July 1, 1929

Salaries, office of Public Printer: Unexpended balance July

1, 1928 - $9, 164. 99 $9, 164. 99 Public printing and binding: Unexpended balance July 1, 1928 1, 039, 472. 80 Disbursed for lithographing and engraving $10, 570. 00 Total 1, 039, 472. 80 10, 570. 00 1, 028, 902. 80- Salaries, office of Superintendent of Documents: Unexpended

balance July 1, 1928 7, 159. 91 7, 159. 91 General expenses, office of Superintendent of Documents: Unexpended balance July 1, 1928 21, 260. 29 Disbursed.. 4, 236. 18 Total 21, 260. 29 4, 236. 18 17, 024. 11 Grand total appropriation 1, 077, 057. 99 14, 806. 18 1, 062, 251. 81 Unobligated balance of 1927 appropriations on June 30, 1929 1, 062, 251. 81 97
98 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Table 2.Summary of financial transactions in fiscal year ended June 30, 1929,

covering appropriations for fiscal years 1927, 1928, and 1929—Continued

APPROPRIATION FOR 1928

Resources Disburse- ments Unexpended

balance July 1, 1929

Public printing End binding; XJn6xpend6d balanc6 July 1 1928 $1 003 962. 22

709, 443. 31

Credits to appropriations by payments from all sources

for printing and binding and other receipts from miscel- laneous sources - Disbursed for labor $342, 882. 14 Disbursed for paper 482 826. 37 Disbursed for lithograpbing and engi'aving 56' 940. 80 Disbursed for material and supplies 252, 554. 69 Total 1, 713, 405. 53 1, 135, 204. 00 $578, 201. 53

Salaries, office of Superintendent of Documents; Unexpended balance July 1, 1928... 33, 33 Disbursed 18, 868. 33 Total 33, 722. 33 18, 868. 33 14, 854. 00 General expenses, office of Superintendent of Documents: Unexpended balance July 1, 1928 74, 712. 50 Disbursed . 48, 764. 02. Total. 74, 712. 50 48, 764. 02 25, 948. 48 Grand total appropriation 1, 821, 840. 36 1, 202, 836. 35 619, 004. 01 Deduct for outstanding obligations 9, 200. 00 Unobligated balance of 1928 appropriations on June 30, 1929 609, 804. 01 APPROPRIATION FOR 1929

Public printing and binding:

Legislative act May 14, 1928 $2, 500, 000. 00

3, 600. 00

9, 309, 201. 56

Deficiency act March 4, 1929...

Credits to appropriations by payments from all sources

for printing and binding and other receipts from miscellaneous sources Disbursed for labor $8, 024, 412. 90

2, 381, 780. 73

66, 677. 56

681, 464. 07 Disbursed for paper

Total 11, 812, 801. 56 11. 154. 335. 26 $658, 466. 30

Salaries, office of Superintendent of Documents:

Legislative act May 14, 1928 450, 000. 00 Deficiency act March 4, 1929 26, 000. 00

435, 206. 28 Total 476, 000. 00 435, 206. 28 40, 793. 72 Genera] expenses, office of Superintendent of Documents:

Legislative act 187, 000. 00

106, 806. 61 Total 187, 000. 00 106, 806. 61 80, 193. 39

12, 475, 801. 56 11, 696, 348. 15 779, 453. 41

919, 071. 09

1, 698, 524. 50

1, 291, 088. 14 Unobligated balance of 1929 appropriations on June 30, 1929. Total unobligated balances (subject to change by 10 per cent over or under on outstanding obligations)

407, 436. 36

1, 062,251,81

609, 804. 01

407, 436. 36

2, 079, 492. 18
statistical Tables 99

Table 2.

Summary of financial transactions in fiscal year ended June 30, 1929,

covering appropriations for fiscal years 1927, 1928, and 1929—Continued

RECAPITULATION—ALL APPROPRIATIONS

Total paid for labor i $8, 367, 295. 04 Total paid for material and supplies 934, 018. 76 Total paid for lithographing and engraving 134, 188. 36 Total paid for paper 2, 864, 607. 10 Total paid for printing and binding

.

12,300,109.26 Total paid for salaries, office of Superintendent of Documents 2 454, 074. 61 Total paid for general expenses, office of Superintendent of Documents 159, 806. 81 Grand total 12, 913, 990. 68

1 Includes amount paid to retirement fund $308, 717. 91

2 Includes amount paid to retirement fund 16, 632. 76 Total paid to retirement fund 325, 350. 67 Table 3.

Moneys received during fiscal year 1929, the source and Treasury deposit

1925 Deposited to the credit of appropriation for public printing and binding: Refund $7. 72

1928 Deposited to the credit of appropriation for public printing and binding: For printing and binding for departments and bureaus $701, 251. 33 For miscellaneous printing and binding - 7, 496. 91 Refunds 690. 23 Auditor's disallowance 4. 84 Total 709,443.31

1929 Deposited to the credit of appropriation for public printing and binding: For printing and bind for departments and bureaus 9, 251, 112. 03 For miscellanous printing and binding 57, 710. 80 Refunds 375.73 Auditor's disallowance 3. 00 Total 9,309,201.56 Deposited to miscellaneous receipts: Sale of waste paper 39, 455. 54 Sale of waste metal 4, 985. 57 Sale of waste wood. 650. 38

Sale of waste gold 286. 61 Sale of leather scraps 10. 74

Sale of condemned material 1. 00

Sale of documents 125,000.00 Total- 170,389.84- Grand total 10,189,042.43 Table 4.

Production of principal items entering into printing and binding in

fiscal years 1927, 1928, and 1929

Item Main office and Congressional Library branch: Total charges for printing and binding dollars Jackets written number

Estimates made do..

Bills computed ..do.. Total ems set do.. Time-work in composing sections hours

Electrotype and stereotype square inches

Postal cards printed number

Money-order books shipped ..do.. Forms sent to press do... Actual impressions- -. do.. Chargeable impressions --_ do.-

Sheets folded do-- Signatures gathered do.- Tips made do-- Copies wire stitched --do-. Copies paper covered do--. Books and pamphlets trimmed do-. Books rounded and backed do.- Books marbled and edged do-- Stamping impressions do.. Books cased in -- do-- Indexes cut - do-- Sheets passed through ruling machine do-- Signatures sewed do-- Copies punched and drilled do.- Sheets and lines perforated do-- Tablets made -do-- Miscellaneous rebindings, etc do--

1927

12, 692, 314. 49

54, 168

47, 452

72 545

2, 060, 248^ 100

242, 836

, 356, 708

508, 300

, 002, 354

145, 831

, 678, 679

, 834, 989

, 434, 554 ,461,334

, 827, 484

, 370, 898

, 574, 395

, 913, 955

160, 085

163, 477

, 736, 425

, 436, 213

140, 359

,915

, 210, 279

356, 979

. 861, 125

889, 402

102, 519

11,

1, 950,

1, 484,

1, 960,

373,

162,

23,

63,

1,

2,

1, 22,

76, 115,

1928

12, 370, 146. 63

58, 900

52, 149

74, 489

2, 101, 301, 000

248, 765

10, 345, 015

1, 726, 524, 392

1, 005, 265

161, 615

496, 693, 620

1, 936, 225, 940

378, 427, 584

159, 165, 884

24, 638, 033

48, 989, 822

10, 593, 833

47, 548, 337

1, 357, 951

294, 394

2, 861, 897

1, 626, 978

130, Oil

22, 867, 419

61, 087, 869

135, 559, 178

8,111, 287

2, 928, 330

90, 221

1 Includes $800,000 estimated labor and material on uncompleted jobs.
100 Anmial Report of the Piiblie Printer

Table 5.Charges for work and to whom delivered during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1929

Congress $2,487,436.88 Work ordered by Members of Congress: Miscellaneous charges. 635.97 Documents, reports, bills, etc.. 12, 449. 80 Speeches... 66,490.67 Private orders for electrotypes 601. 37 Superintendent of Documents 642, 784. 55 State 248,482.92 Treasury.. 929, 992. 81 War... 677,336.14 Navy 675,065.11

Interior 214.033.37 Geological Survey 114,872.65 Smithsonian Institution 126, 072. 48 Justice 224,329.71 Post OfBce :. 2,113,061.95 Agriculture 803, 828. 88 Commerce 796,857.81 Patent Office 1,047,902.85 Labor 230,201.71 Librarv of Congress 334, 502. 33 White House 3, 777. 25 Pan American Union 35, 133. 45 Supreme Court:

District of Columbia 3, 954. 77 United States 3, 506. 54 Court of Claims 39, 072. 89

Interstate Commerce Commission 196, 998. 67 Civil Service Commission 56, 949. 00 Geographic Board 715.80 General Accounting Office 29, 850. 57 Alien Property Custodian.. 1,784.50 Bureau of the Budget. 25, 751. 51 District of Colmnbia. 75,949.31 Employees' Compensation Commission. 8,435.07 Federal Reserve Board 54, 543. 63 Federal Board for Vocational Education... 7,949.84 Federal Trade Commission 27, 301. 71 Nat ional Advisory Committee for Aeronautics 18, 493. 34 Panama Canal 60,064.76 Railroad Administration 558.22 Board of Mediation 1,530.39 Shipping Board 65, 727. 23 Tariff Commission. 21, 182. 11 Veterans' Bui-eau.. 143,440.31 War Finance Corporation 496.39 Public Buildings and Public Parks 5, 076. 37 Arlington Memorial Bridge Commission 476. 16 American Battle Monuments Commission 201.03 Bureau of Efficiency 402. 19 Commission of Fine Arts 400. 18 Federal Power Commission 6, 266. 67 National Forest Reservation Commission 309.83 National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers 552. 36 Special counsel, oil leases 5.43 Board of Tax Appeals 50, 133. 72 National Capital Park and Planning Commission 2,231.23 Inland Waterways Commission... 609.25 Two Hundredth Anniversary of George Washington's Birthday 119. 14 Federal Radio Commission 8, 033. 72 Pan American Sanitary Bm-eau 15, 148. 43 War Claims Arbiter 2, 065. 95 George Rogers Clark Sesquicentennial Commission 71.06 Personnel Classification Board 2, 502. 70 National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement 232. 64 National Academy of Sciences 385. 52 Total 12,715,330.80
Statistical Tailes

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102 Annual Beport of the Public Printer

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Statistical Tables 103

Table 8.Inventory of quantify and costs of paper and envelopes, material and

supplies, and machinery and equipment on hand June 30, 1929

Description Sheets Poimds Cost

Psper Slid envelopes I y, o * 0, uuu $91, 566. 82

52, 160. 60

41, 633. 41

9, 647. 97

741. 11

36, 869. 95

14, 788. 00

8, 767. 18

38, 577. 79

127, 207. 24

53, 032. 46

18, 139. 07

25, 052. 16

7, 557. 90

7, 437. 78

10, 557. 14

3, 199. 50

5, 784. 74

18, 431. 95

4, 595. 31

4, 631. 88

21,889.77

11,161.87 1,462.50

17, 665. 16

17, 810. 93

650, 370. 19

Do 1 n^7 nnn

"\XilI160^3ptl 7 QP,A flfin TJnitGd. Ststes monej'-ord.er writing

Ssfetv writing Q'i iJOf oon \J\J\J im nnn

T^riting 7,064, 000 Do 255, 000 Alap 374, 000

AX8.nifol(i 7, 015, 000 Bond 14 176, 000

2, 847, 000

uKTOi 000 \J\J\) LeQ^^er

AXBnila 1 449 000 Do 171, 000 Kraft 148, 000 Do 79, 000 Manila tag board 298, 000 Do 9:7 oon

(T ard. b0ard i7n nnn

Bristol board 484 nnn Do nnn

AXisccllaiicous 1 664 000 Do.... 19, 000 Binders board ... 586, 000 Envelopes

Total, paper and envelopes Other material and supplies:

199, 008. 51

27, 795. 12

7, 819. 44

8, 493. 85

2, 967. 48

Book cloth Ink ingredients Leather Ink (made in Government Printing Office) Total, material and supplies 246, 084. 40 Total, material and supplies, paper and envelopes 896, 454. 59 Machinery and equipment 4,334,652.87

5, 231, 107. 46
104 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Table 9.Publications, including annual reports and documents, printed on

requisition during the fiscal year ended June SO, 1929, for Government departments

and independent establishments {Congress not included)

Copies

State — - 428,356* Treasury 3, 509, 507 War — — — — 13,853,211 Navy 2,143,557

Interior 1,984,039

Justice 83,395 Post Office 1, 548, 805 Agriculture 24,150,059 Commerce 5,992,372 Labor 1,903,496 Smithsonian Institution 175, 665 Library of Congress 170, 907 Executive Office 53,148 Pan American Union 221, 550 Supreme Court:

District of Columbia 174 United States 7, 182 Court of Claims 3,653 Bureau of Efficiency 870 Federal Power Commission 10,044 Interstate Commerce Commission _ 2, 151, 107 Civil Service Commission 173,417 Geographic Board 11,800 General Accounting Office 12, 741 Alien Property Custodian 1,748 District of Columbia 167, 290 Employees' Compensation Commission 70,319 Veterans' Bureau 117,349 Federal Board for Vocational Education 76, 698 Federal Reserve Board 423, 345 Federal Trade Commission 114,266 National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics 45, 405 Panama Canal 5, 064 Railroad Administration.. 1, 271 Shipping Board 470, 043 Tariff Commission , 21,682 Board of Mediation 5, 099 National Forest Reservation Commission 2, 000 War Finance Corporation 510 Bureau of the Budget 26, 622 Public Buildings and Public Parks 668 Board of Tax Appeals 12,154 Pan American Sanitary Bureau 83, 500 Federal Radio Commission 11,378 Inland Waterways Corporation , 3, 601 National Capital Park and Planning Commission 3, 500 War Claims Arbiter 9, 000 Miscellaneous. 12,930 Total 60,274,397 Table 10.

Receipts from miscellaneous sales during the fiscal year ended June SO, 1929

Condemned material, machinery, etc $1. 00 Waste wood 650.38 Waste metal 4.985.57 Waste paper 39,455.54 Leather scraps - 10. 74 Waste gold 286.61 Total _ 45, 389. 84
DIVISION OF TESTS AND TECHNICAL CONTROL

REPORT OF THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

105

REPORT OF THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

The following report covers the work of the division of tests and

technical control for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1929, and the

calendar year 1929:

The total number of samples analyzed during the fiscal year 1929 was 7,608 compared with 8,138 for the preceding year. The tests include samples of delivered materials, samples offered by bidders,

samples for technical control of type metals, inks, glues, etc., and

samples for research work.

Following is a tabulation of the various tests of material during,

the fiscal years 1928 and 1929:

Paper and paper products, including bid, delivery, and investigational samples

TextUes, including bookbinding cloths and cordage Bookbinding leathers Metals, including technical control and investigational samples of type-metal alloys Glue Ink-making materials Lubricating oUs and greases Gasoline Chemicals

Miscellaneous, including soaps, waxes, turpentine, etc Total - - The decrease of tests in 1929 was due to fewer but larger orders for

paper and envelopes and also to the purchase of more paper, glue,

and other materials on the Government specifications rather than on

bid samples.

Of the 1,134 samples of metal tested during the year, 843 were

technical control samples of metal used in the office, 245 were of linotype and stereotype metals submitted by the American Newspaper

Publishers Association, and 46 were of various metals and alloys

used in reconditioning type-metal alloys.

As a result of the technical inspection and testing of all deliveries- of materials purchased by the office, 255 deliveries were rejected, of

which 145 were paper, 31 envelopes, and 79 miscellaneous materials.

PAPER

The number of rejections of paper for the fiscal years 1928 and

1929, all causes being listed, with some deliveries rejected for more

than one deficiency, are shown in the following table

Cause for rejection Not within weight tolerance... General appearance -.. Unsatisfactory finish Unsatisfactory opacity

Unsatisfactory color Deficient in stock

Deficient in folding endurance

1928 1929

27 11

13 56

18 1

3 0

2 1 2625 9

25

Cause for rejection

Deficient in bursting strength Excessive ash

Deficient in absorption

Deficient in thickness Total

1928 1929

37 31

8 12

0 3

6 2

165 151

107
108 Annual Report of the Public Pointer

A total of 46,110,818 pounds of paper was inspected during the

year, 1,877,951 pounds of which were rejected. This is approximately 4.1 per cent, or 1.2 per cent less than the previous year, as shown by the following tabulation for 1928 and 1929:

Kind of paper

Inspected Rejected

1928 1929 1928 1929

NswspriDt Pounds

2, 100, 020

9, 070, 857

4, 383, 695

718, 973

2, 727, 369

610, 887

357, 448

200, 081

712, 709

2, 546, 415

5, 379, 047

686, 987

292, 909

3, 024

323, 189

1, 523, 621

598, 183

39, 026

124, 765

595, 630

10, 396, 824

128, 469

157, 320

317, 640

1, 159, 153

42, 671

Pounds

1, 774, 749

9, 058, 560

3, 304, 631

481, 973

2, 742, 637

556, 887

252, 578

185, 066

708, 067

3, 160 504

5, 597, 724

639, 125

384, 110

9, 727

303. 412

1, 584, 879

839, 159

11, 206

100, 921

885, 326

11, 476, 756

83, 772

202, 968

867, 710

843, 600

55, 158

Pounds

29, 931

480, 872

178, 594

160, 172

416, 200

Pounds

42, 870

174, 457

104, 403

276, 427

IVIachine-finish book

Supercalendered and halftone book Mimeograph

TTnitpH fttfll"A<? TTinnfiv nriiAT ^safpf.v finri writino*

60, 991 23, 650

1,299

44, 047

291, 736

362, 679

7, 212

35, 616

1, 800

Chart

jVIsiiifold. 27, 606

77 681

195, 904

64, 826

1, 530

SiilphitG writing Bond

T <aH (tpt* Index

Tissue Cover 20, 184

263, 936

55, 243

4, 768 Wrapping 79, 150 Tag board- 48, 704 Manila cardboard

Railroad board Wood bristol 75, 704

216, 602

42, 400

9, 672

1,250

16, 626

United States postal-card bristol Miscellaneous

361, 885

3, 670 Blotting 18, 346 News, chip and box board ... Binders board

Pressboard . - Total 45, 196, 912 46, 110, 818 2, 400, 692 1, 877, 951 The new watermark proposed by the Public Printer and adopted by

the Joint Committee on Printing to indicate the grades of rag-content

bond and ledger papers is a decided step toward the standardization

of paper based on quality.

KRAFT PAPER

The Government purchases large quantities of kraft paper and

envelopes. Therefore, it has been necessary to develop definite

specifications to insure quality. The bursting-strength test was

formerly the only one used to determine the quality of kraft paper.

However this test was not satisfactory, since it did not indicate the

desired characteristics of the paper. As a result of research work by

the laboratory it was found that the folding endurance better indicated quality. The Government paper specifications for kraft paper

now include such requirements. However, since considerable change

has taken place in the manufacture of kraft paper in recent years, another investigation was made to obtain more satisfactory tests for

quahty. Kraft paper manufacturers were invited to furnish samples

of standard grades for test purposes. Ninety-seven samples were

received from 17 different manufacturers. These samples have been

tested for fiber content, ash, weight, thickness, tensile strength,

stretch, folding endurance, bursting strength, tear resistance, and

porosity. The results will be published later.
Report of the Technical Director 109

BINDERS BOARD

The Government Printing Office purchases annually approximately

850,000 pounds of best quality and No. 2 quality binders board. The

Government specifications for binders board up to 1928 were rather

indefinite, but as a result of research work, specifications for weight,

bursting strength, thickness, density, and general requirements were adopted for the year beginning March 1, 1928.

Like other binderies, the Government Printing Office has been con- fronted with the warping of book covers. This is a serious difficulty

and is most prevalent during the winter seasons. A study of the

problem shows that warping is caused primarily by changes in the

temperature and relative humidity to which a book may be exposed,

usually soon after production. There are several factors which must

be considered in a study of this problem—the book cloth, end paper,

adhesives, binders board, and atmospheric conditions under which

the materials are stored and the cases are manufactured.

A study was made of the various adhesives used, and the percentage

of water in each was determined. The water resistance of the

binders board and the direction in which to apply the warp of the

book cloths and the grain of the end papers were also studied. The

least difficulty with warping was experienced with best quality

boards which usually contain some rope stock and are rosin-sized and

rolled hard. The water resistance of the best quality board was

found to be much better than that of the No. 2 quality board.

It was found that No. 2 quality board, when made water-resistant

by treatment with shellac, showed less tendency to warp. Based on

this theory the Government contractor for No. 2 quality binders

board w^as requested to rosin-size all deliveries of this quality board

so as to render it water-resistant. An improvement was noted and,

although it is not believed that sizing will entirely eliminate warping,

it should assist materially in preventing excessive warping.

Further work is being done in cooperation with the Employing

Bookbinders of America, who have assigned a research associate to work with the Government chemists. Members of the Binders

Board Association are also cooperating in this work by furnishing

samples of their standard grades for test purposes.

NEWSPRINT

During the fiscal year 1928 research work on newsprint paper and news ink was started in cooperation with the mechanical department

of the American Newspaper Publishers Association. The progress

report on newsprint was presented by the technical director at the

mechanical conference of the association in Buffalo on June 11, 1929.

The report is in part as follows: At the mechanical conference of the American Newspaper Publishers Association held at Cleveland last year, reference was made to an investigation which

v/as being started by the division of tests and technical control of the United States Government Printing Office in cooperation with the mechanical department of the American Newspaper Publishers Association relative to newsprint paper and printing ink. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the essential

qualities of newsprint paper and ink, which should be controlled in order to insure uniform quality and to obtain the best and most economical results from a

printing standpoint.

During recent years the speed of production of newsprint paper has increased considerably and modern newsprint papermaking machines are to-day producing paper at a speed of approximately 1,000 feet per minute. Likewise the
110 Annual Report of the Publie Printer

operating speed of newspaper presses has been increased and to-day approxi- mates 30,000 copies per hour; some presses even producing 40,000 to 60,000 copies per hour. These conditions must be given careful consideration in any investi- gation of the quality of newsprint paper and ink. At this meeting only a progress report on the paper investigation will be pre- sented. The results obtained on newsprint ink are insuflBcient at this time to submit any report. In order to secure complete and reliable data as to the quality of newsprint paper being used by the newspaper publishers to-day, the members of the American Newspaper Publishers Association were requested by Mr. W. E. Wines,

manager mechanical department, during the early part of the year 1928, to submit,

for testing, samples of the newsprint paper they were using. In response to this request 256 samples of newsprint paper were received from 149 publishers. The

samples submitted represent newsprint produced by approximately 75 different paper mills located in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

The samples of newsprint received have been divided into three classes

standard, special, and colored. The 220 samples of uncolored newsprint which

contained less than 2 per cent ash were classed as standard newsprint. Samples

of uncolored newsprint containing more than 2 per cent ash were classed as

special newsprint and include two samples of rotogravure paper. There are 17 samples included in this classification. The 19 colored samples are classed as colored newsprint. The results of the tests have been printed in tabular form

for comparison and will be furnished upon request.

The samples have been kept in the constant temperature and relative humidity room of the Government Printing Office continually since being received. The

atmospheric conditions of this room are automatically maintained day and night

at 70° F. temperature and 50 per cent relative humidity. All tests on the samples were made under these standard testing conditions. The physical tests for strength were made as soon after receipt of the samples as possible owing to the rapid deterioration which takes place in newsprint paper, due to the high

percentage of ground-wood pulp present. The testing of this large number of samples has required considerable work and necessitated the development of certain special tests for determining the relationship of paper to printing ink. Tests have been made on the samples for fiber content, ream basis weight,

thickness, ash, bursting and tensile strengths, stretch, and oil penetration.

A number of the samples were also tested for gloss or finish, and porosity or air permeability.

No tests for opacity were made on the samples, since newsprint is one of the most opaque printing papers, and the cause for the showing through of ink is due

chiefly to the penetration of the printing ink or the quality of the ink. The

opacity of newsprint will be considered, however, in future investigational work.

A study will also be made of various types of testers for measuring the tear

resistance of newsprint. Owing to the very low tear resistance of newsprint, it

is not possible to measure the tear resistance of a single sheet. Tests were made

tearing 4, 8, and 16 sheets of paper at the same time with the Elmendorf tear

tester. However, even when 16 sheets were torn simultaneously, the test results were very low and somewhat unreliable. The test results on the samples reported in the tabulation are the average of a

sufficient number of tests to furnish fair and accurate information as to the quality

of the various samples submitted.

The following gives a brief summary of the test results on the samples of newsprint

STOCK OR FIBER CONTENT

The fibrous constituent of newsprint paper is wood pulp made almost exclusively from the coniferous species, such as spruce and fir. The wood pulp is of two kinds, the mechanical or "ground wood" and the chemical or "sulphite."

The "ground-wood" pulp is produced by grinding the wood against rapidly

revolving grinding stones without the use of any chemical, only water being used

to carry the loosened wood fibers from the grinding stones. This pulp has

relatively short fibers but, due to the method of manufacture, has absorptive

and other characteristics which are essential in newsprint paper. "Sulphite" pulp is made by cooking chips of the wood with bisulphite acid

liquid at a high temperature and pressure. This pulp has a long and strong

fiber and is almost pure cellulose. Most newsprint contains approximately 20

to 30 per cent "sulphite" pulp and the remainder is "ground-wood" pulp.
Report of the Technical Director 111

The fiber analysis showed only eight of the standard newsprint samples to contain over 30 per cent sulphite pulp. The highest sulphite pulp content was

40 per cent and the lowest 15 per cent. Under the special and colored newsprint the highest sulphite content was 50

per cent and the lowest 5 per cent. Only four samples of the special and colored newsprint samples contained over 30 per cent sulphite, including the samples of rotogravure paper. The fiber content was determined by the count method and only ground wood

and unbleached sulphite (coniferous chemical wood) pulp were found to be present

in any of the samples.

ASH

The ash determination furnishes information as to the ash of the fiber itself and any ash from the water, color, alum, sizing materials, or clay used. The cellulose fiber used in the manufacture of paper contains a small percentage

of natural ash, the amount varying according to the particular class of fiber. " Ground-wood" pulp contains approximately 0.8 to 1 per cent ash and unbleached

"sulphite" pulp from 0.48 to 1.25 per cent. The ash of newsprint paper due to the ''ground-wood" and ''sulphite" pulp, water, alum, color, etc., would be less than 2 per cent. The ash content of the samples of standard newsprint varied from 0.3 per cent

to 2 per cent and that of the special and colored newsprint, not including the two

samples of rotogravure paper, from 0.3 per cent to 8.2 per cent. The ash of the samples of rotogravure paper was 18.2 per cent and 14 per cent. THICKNESS

The results of tests for thickness show considerable variation, ranging from

0.0029 inch to 0.0042 inch for standard newsprint and from 0.0029 inch to 0.0039

inch for the special and colored newsprint not including the two samples of rotogravure paper which were 0.0025 and 0.0028 inch in thickness. Assuming that the thickness of standard newsprint should be 0.0032 inch and

allowing a variation of 0.0002 inch above or below this figure, or 0.0030 to 0.0034

inch, 142 samples, or 56 per cent of the samples, tested are within the maximum

and minimum limits. This does not include the two samples of rotogravure

paper. WEIGHT

The basis ream weight for standard newsprint is 24 by 36, 500 sheets, 32 pounds,

and allowing a 10 per cent variation, 5 per cent above or below, should be not less than 30.4 pounds nor more than 33.6 pounds.

The results on the samples of standard, special, and colored newsprint, not

including the two samples of rotogravure paper, showed a minimum ream weight

of 29.6 pounds and a maximum weight of 36.9 pounds. Ninety-two per cent, or 233 samples, were within the 5 per cent variation above or below 32 pounds

per ream basis. BURSTING STRENGTH

The bursting strength of the samples of standard, special, and colored newsprint varied from 7.5 to 13.5 points. TENSILE STRENGTH AND STRETCH

The tensile strength was measured with a Schopper tensile-strength tester. The strips of paper were cut 15 millimeters in width in both the machine and

across machine directions and tested with the clamping jaws set 100 millimeters

apart. The test results were recorded in kilograms. These results have also been calculated to tensile strength in pounds on the basis of a strip 1 inch in width. The following give the maximum and minimum tensile-strength tests on

the samples tested:

Kilograms per 15 mm.

width Pounds per inch width Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum

Machine direction 2.08

1. 04

4. 09

2. 21

7. 76

3. 88

15. 24 Across machine direction 8. 23 72200—30 8
112 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The stretch was determined at the same time as the tensile strength and is expressed in per cent. The following are the maximum and minimum results obtained:

Minimum Maximum

Machine direction Per cent0.3

.6

Per cent2.8 Across machine direction 2.8 RESISTANCE TO PENETRATION BY PRINTING INK The resistance to penetration of printing ink was determined by measuring

the time required for the penetration of castor oil. This test was made by- floating a sample 2 inches square on the surface of castor oil under uniform

temperature and relative humidity conditions and noting the time required for complete saturation. The sample was exposed with both the wire and felt sides

of the paper floated on the oil and the results reported separately in order to determine the variation in oil penetration from the wire and felt sides of the

paper. This test is considered important, as it furnished an indication of the ink-penetration quality of the various samples. The results of considerable investigational

work conducted by the technical division of the Government Printing Office on

various types of printing papers, including newsprint, machine flnish, super- calendered book, and mimeograph paper, indicate that this test furnishes reliable information as to the probable ink penetration of the paper on the printing

press or mimeograph machine.

Castor oil is used in making this test since it was found to give results similar

to those obtained with the various vehicles used in the manufacture of newsprint ink. Castor oil, United States Pharmacopoeia quality, can be readily

gecured of uniform quality for use in making this test. It is difficult to obtain

uniform quality oils and ink-making varnishes for use as a testing medium;

due to the rapid penetration of the lighter vehicles, such as mineral oils, it is impossible to obtain a satisfactory end point.

The results on oil absorption showed a wide variation in the resistance of the

different samples to the penetration of castor oil. It will be noted that, although

there is no uniformity as to which side of the paper is more resistant, the felt side usually possesses the better oil resistance. The range of oil penetration on the samples of standard, special, and colored newsprint tested is shown in the following table: Minimum Maximum

Wire side Seconds

26

29

Seconds

145 Felt side. 296 POROSITY OR AIR PERMEABILITY The test for porosity on the samples tested was made with a Gurley densometer. This test consists of measuring the rate of penetration of 100 cubic centimeters of air through the sheet of paper. Only a limited number of samples were tested in this respect. It is planned to conduct further tests for this quality,

using different types of testing equipment.

It is interesting to note, however, that on the samples of newsprint tested for porosity, the curve of results is similar to the oil-penetration results obtained

with castor oil, and it appears that the determination of porosity of newsprint paper may furnish an indication as to its ink-resistant qualities. The range of porosity as shown by the results of tests on all samples was, minimum, 10 seconds; maximum, 360 seconds. CONCLUSION

This tabulation of test results on newsprint presents a very comprehensive

survey as to the quality of newsprint being used to-day by the newspaper publishers. It will furnish an excellent basis for conducting further research on
Report of the Technical Director 113

newsprint in order to determine and standardize the essential qualities which

must be controlled to obtain the most satisfactory and economical newspaper

printing.

To the publisher, the printing qualit}^ of newsprint is the most essential consideration, and this quality is controlled chiefly b}^ finish, thickness, and relationship

to newsprint ink. The publisher is interested in the strength of the paper to the extent that it shall possess sufficient strength to give maximum production on

the printing presses with a minimum of breaks. From the standpoint of uni- formity and cost the control of the basis weight of the paper within a specified tolerance is important.

The difficulty being experienced with penetration of printing ink is probably

the most serious. The results of the tests on the samples submitted show a wide

variation in oil resistance, and apparently very little attempt has been made on

the part of the paper manufacturer to control this property in newsprint. It is not possible, however, to draw any definite conclusions from this tabulation as to the factors which should be controlled in order to obtain the least penetration of the ink, or to set a definite requirement as to this property, without comparative

practical printing tests. The investigation as to oil penetration indicates that the oil follows the spaces between the fibers first and then enters the channels of the fibers. The samples

with the highest porosity to air, which is due to the more open formation of the

•fibers in the sheet, also have the lowest resistance to the penetration of the oil. If the stock in a newsprint should be refined or jordaned, the formation of the

sheet will be closer than if the stock is fed direct to the paper machine from the mixing tanks after being passed through screens. The closeness of the formation of newsprint wiU depend on the character of the fiber, the addition of clay

or loading, tlie distribution of the fibers on the paper-machine wire, and the speed

of the paper machine.

The particles of clay or loading added to paper are of smaU size and will occupy

the spaces which can not be closed up by the larger fibers. Furthermore, clay

is not as elastic as the fiber, and after the paper passes through the calenders it will remain in its forced place and close in the sheet; the penetration of oil through the sheet wiU, therefore, be rendered slower and the resistance to oil increased. » It will be noted that some of the samples of special newsprint containing more

than 2 per cent of ash show a better oil resistance than the samples of standard

newsprint containing less than 2 per cent ash. However, the fiber in some of these papers indicated that it had been treated differently than in most samples

of newsprint and may also account for the lower oil absorption.

The thickness of the samples tested showed considerable variation and the

surface or finish showed similar variations. It is evident that paper with a uniform thickness would be most satisfactorj\ It is customary to state that the

thickness of standard newsprint is approximately 0.0032 inch, but further work is suggested before any definite thickness be adopted, and an expression of opinion

from both the paper manufacturers and publishers should be secured. Only a limited number of samples were tested for gloss, all of which showed

less than 41.5. per cent. The gloss of the rotogravure sample tested was approximately 60 per cent, which is the average on a supercalendered book paper. A bursting strength of 10 points is commonly considered the standard for newsprint. However, it will be noted that many samples having a bursting

strength below 10 points possess a tensile strength as good or better than other samples having a bursting strength of 10 points or more. From the results of this investigation it is our opinion that the tensile strength

is more satisfactory for measuring the strength of newsprint than the bursting

strength and is recommended for consideration in this connection. One particular difficulty which has been brought to our attention by several newspaper publishers is the contamination of newsprint ink with paper lint. Newsprint is a soft paper, the fibers of which are very easily loosened by slitting or friction on the edge of press bars. Consequently there is considerable paper

dust or fiber in the air when a newsprint press is operating at high speed.

It is suggested that if suction boxes were installed at the point of paper slitting, and any other places where paper dust is liberated on the press, considerable of this difficulty could be eliminated. The installation of dust collectors has been

•observed on rotary presses in England; as a result practically all complaint due

to paper lint has been eliminated.
114 Anmial Report of the Public Printer

In order to insure the minimum breaks of newsprint paper on a printing press the paper should not contain too low a percentage of moisture. Any paper will be more flexible and will stand more strain without breaking if it contains a reasonable percentage of moisture. Such paper will also give better printing results. For newsprint the best results will be obtained with a moisture content between

8 and 10 per cent. The work on this investigation of newsprint will be continued during the next

year in cooperation with the newspaper publishers and paper manufacturers,

and it is hoped to develop a standard specification for newsprint embodying the

essential qualities necessary to secure a maximum production of good printing

which will be satisfactory to all concerned. The tests on these samples were conducted by the technical staff of the division

of tests and technical control of the Government Printing Office with the assist- ance, since December, 1928, of a research associate representing the American

Newspaper Publishers Association.ENVELOPES

A total of 40,775,860 envelopes were inspected during the year. The paper qualities varied from wood manila to the highest grades

of bond and ledger. The following tabulation shows the total of

the various kinds of envelopes inspected during the fiscal years 1928

and 1929, and quantity rejected:

Kind of envelopes Envelopes

1928 1929

Wood manila Number

1, 741,919

38, 693, 550

480, 500

115, 700

3, 675, 572

61, 000

256, 039

793, 884

Number

1, 257, 000

30, 387, 750

178, 110

51, 250

7, 398, 000

161, 500

267, 250

1, 060, 000

10, 000

5, 000

Kraft Rope manila

.

. . Sulphite manila - - . . . --. . Sulphite writing

100 per cent rag white writing... ............ ...... ... 100 per cent rag ledger

50 per cent rag white bond . . Colored sulphite writing

Cloth-lined. 6, 500 Total 45, 824, 674

1, 503, 250

40, 775, 860 Total rejected ... 2, 114, 500 The causes for rejection of envelopes, and the quantities rejected

for the fiscal years 1928 and 1929, are given in the following table:

Cause for rejection Number of envelopes

rejected

1928 1929

Paper not within weight tolerance 92, 000

1, 142, 500

85, 000

20, 000

163, 750

261, 000

233, 150

50, 000

2, 500

10, 000

1, 557, 850

Deficient in bursting strength

Deficient in stock . Unsatisfactory in color . .......

Unsatisfactory gumming

Deficient in folding endurance ... . .

1, 503, 750 2, 114, 500

Experience in the testing of envelopes during the fiscal years 1925

to 1928 indicated that the schedule needed considerable revision and

simplification. Accordingly, during the fall of 1928, investigation was made as to the sizes, qualities, weights, and uses of the envelopes

V
Report of the Technical Director 115

purchased on the schedule of the Government Printing Office. Specific changes were recommended to the paper specifications committee

in revising the Joint Committee specifications for the year beginning

March 1, 1929. The recommendations were adopted and the last year there was a decided improvement in the quality and also a material reduction in the number of sizes and weights of envelopes

purchased by the office. The envelope schedule for the year beginning March 1, 1928,

provided seven grades of paper—wood manila, kraft, rope manila,

white writing, 100 per cent rag writing, 100 per cent rag ledger, and

50 per cent rag bond, the specifications for which have been brought

in harmony with the paper schedule.

The largest quantity of Government envelopes are made of kraft

paper. The specifications for the year beginning March 1, 1928,

provided eight weights of kraft envelopes, substances 32, 40, 48, 56,

64, 72, 80, and 88, three of which, substances 56, 72, and 88, were

eliminated. The weights of paper specified for the different sizes of kraft envelopes were also materially reduced.

The office has cooperated with the envelope manufacturers by testing

preliminary samples to furnish information as to the new requirements.

A decided improvement in the quality of envelopes has been noted.

TYPE-METAL ALLOYS

During the fiscal year 1929 a total of 7,908,788 pounds of type

metals of various kinds were standardized for the use of the Government office. This is an increase of 14.4 per cent over the fiscal year

1928.

The following tabulation gives a comparison of the amounts of the

various type alloys standardized during the fiscal years 1928 and 1929

Metal 1928 1929 Increase Increase

Linotype...

...

_ Pounds

4, 569, 855 1,781,210

367, 265

1 197, 420

Pounds

5, 184, 345

2, 189, 734

388, 870

145, 839

Pounds

614, 490

408, 524

21, 605

2 51,581

Per cent 13.4 22.9

5.9

2 26.2 Monotype

Stereot>T)e Electrotype TotaL.. 6, 915, 750 7, 908, 788 993, 038 3 14.4

I 7 months only. 2 Decrease. 3 Average. The technical control of metals was started in April, 1925. Since

that time 27,857,367 pounds of all kinds of type metal have been

standardized to the respective formulas.

The tables on pages 116 and 117 show the correction of linotype,

monotype, stereotype, and electrotype metals for each month between

July 1, 1928, and June 30, 1929, including quantities returned for re- melting, correction metals, dross, the percentage increase due to cor- rection, and percentage loss due to drossing, calculated on quantity

of metal remelted. Owing to the increased demand for monotype

metal it was necessary to convert considerable slug metal and electro- type backing metal to monotype metal. The weight of metal returned

for remelting reported also includes the dross.
116 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Linotype metal

Month

Returned

for remelting

Correction metal used Leadanti- mony

alloy 1 Lead

Total

correc- tion metal

used

Total

corrected metal

Total

dross

Increase due to

correc- tion

1928 July August

September

October November

December

1929 January February 2 March

April May

June

Pounds

329, 885

542, 333

398, 601

457, 797

359, 950

342, 410

475, 008

374, 774

492, 818

439, 795

500, 652

392, 745

Pounds Pounds

685

3, 795 2,130

1, 160 2,175

1, 760

4, 440

3, 985

1,280

1, 185 1,055

5, 680

10, 705

9, 190 4,620

11, 410

7, 730

13, 030

Pounds

6, 265

14, 500

11, 320 5,780

13, 585 9,490

17, 470

14, 305

7, 440

5, 650

5, 010

18, 290 8,720

6, 835

6, 065

Pounds

333, 665

552, 460

406, 646

459, 780

370, 410

349, 016

488, 420

371, 575

507, 540

445, 346

503, 835

395, 765

Pounds

2, 585

4, 383

3, 276

3, 797 3,125 2.886

4, 058

3, 199

3, 668

3, 170

3, 652 3,045

Per cent 1.90

2. 68 2.84

1.26

3. 80

2. 77

3. 67 3.71

1. 98

1. 36

1.54 Total 5,106, Average , 23,650 1 94,670 118, 320 6, 184, 345 40, 743

2.31

1 Lead-antimony alloy consists of approximately 60 per cent lead and 40 per cent antimony.

2 No correction made, due to lack of correction alloy. Monotype metal

Month

Returned

for re- melting 1

Correction metal used

Leadanti- mony

alloy 2

Tinanti- mony

alloy 3 Tin Lead

Total

correc- tion metal used

Total cor- rected metal

Total

dross ^ Increase due tocorrec- tion

1928 July August

September.

October November.

December..

1929 January... February. March

April May

June

Pounds

175, 368

206, 214

152, 450

232, 155

152, 976

169, 366

177, 362

189, 228

230, 753

219, 542

164, 012

124, 760

Pounds

290 3,045

1, 040

2, 396

130

476

1,715 2,045

10050

Pounds

3, 220

3, 795 1,770

2, 585 660

1,095

2, 535 3,160

3,810

1,695

2, 020 1,020

Pounds

145 815

105

65 41530

Pounds

150

603

140

125 800

1, 645 ""475'

Pounds

3, 666 8,055

2, 915

2, 650

3, 695

2, 055

4, 665

3, 160

5, 675

4, 718

2,166

1,210

Pounds

175, 656

210, 105

152, 165

230, 300

152, 895

167, 455

177, 256

188, 010

231, 300

219, 368

162, 116

123, 110

Pounds

3, 368

4, 164

3, 200

4, 606

3, 676

3, 966

4, 752

4, 378

5,128

4, 892

4, 062

2, 860

Per cent

2. 10

3. 90

1.91 1.14

2. 36

1.21

2. 62

1.66

2. 46

2. 14 1.32

.96 Total. Average.

2, 194, 165 11, 285 27, 366 2, 414 3, 446 44, 509 2, 189, 734 48, 940

2.02 2. 23

1 This includes 1,980 pounds electrotype metal and 21,200 pounds slug metal.

2 Lead-antimony alloy consists of approximately 60 per cent lead and 40 per cent antimony.

3 Tin-antimony alloy consists of approximately 33 per cent tin and 67 per cent antimony.

* This includes all dross from the 129 casting machines, as the skimmings from these are added to the metal, returned for remelting.
Report of the Technical Director 117

Stereotype metal

Month

Returned

for re- melting

Correction metal used

Total

correc- tion metal used

Total cor- rected metal

Total

dross 3

Increase due to

correc- tion Lead- Dross

anti- mony

alloy ^

Tinanti- mony

alloy 2 Tin Lead

1928 July Pounds

41, 430

10, 199

30, 774

68, 635

40, 466

19, 705

14, 506

19, 268

36, 032

40, 545

39, 854

25, 651

Pounds Pounds

325

75 100

Pounds

80 Pounds Pounds

405

75 600

730

875

110

50

100

375

135 160 205

Pounds

41, 555

10, 175

31, 200

69, 030

41, 125

19, 710

14, 475

19, 250

36, 275

40, 535

39, 810

25, 730

Pounds

280

99

174 335

216

105

81 118

132

145 204

126

Per cent

0. 98 .74

1.95

1. 06

2. 1755

.34

.51 1.04

.33

.40

.79

Per cent

0. 68

.98

.55

.49' .53

. 53

.55

.61 .36

.35

.51 .49

500 450

725

CSU November 125 25 110 1929 January 50 February 10040

10 Marcb 335

125 160

195 AprC

May

June 10 Total 387, 065 2,540 1,010 245 25 3, 820 388, 870 2,015 Average .98 .52

1 Lead-antimony alloy consists of approximately 60 per cent lead and 40 per cent antimony.

2 Tin-antimony alloy consists of approximately 33 per cent tin and 67 per cent antimony.

3 The dross reported is from the remelting and standardization of the old plates and does not include the

dross from the casting pot. Electrotype backing metal

Month

Returned

for re- melting 1

Correction metal used

Total cor- rection metal

used

Total cor- rected metal

Increase due to

correc- tion Lead- antimony

alloy 2 Lead Other

metals

1928 July Pounds

10, 789

9, 734

10, 802

4, 845 8,010

14, 875

3, 835

5, 135

7, 675 8,100

11, 700

16, 626

Pounds

680

475

850

310

650 1,830

420

200

810 860

1,255

1,245

Pounds

9, 920

8, 775 11,750

5, 190 9,360

23, 145

5, 180

7, 665 10,915

10, 890

16, 795

16, 290

Pounds Pounds

10, 600

9, 250

12, 600

5, 700 10,010

24, 975

5, 600

7, 965

11, 730

11, 770

18, 104

17, 535

Pounds

21, 200

18, 850

23, 200

10, 510

18, 020

39, 850

8, 535

13, 035

19, 360

19, 770

29, 804

34, 130

Per cent 101.5 95.2

106.8

117. 64

124. 96

167. 89

169. 38

155.11

152. 83

145. 30

154. 73

105. 46

August

September... October November

3 200 December

1929 Jarruary... February March

April May

June

i 100

5 5 «20

6 54

Total. 112, 126 9, 585 135, 875 379 145,839 257, 164 Average 130.0

1 The weight of old metal reported was determined after the copper shells and dross were removed.

2 Lead-antimony alloy consists of approximately 60 per cent lead and 40 per cent antimony.

3 Linotype metal.

* Antimony.

f Tin.
118 Annual Report of the Public Printer

TYPE-METAL INVESTIGATION

The type-metal investigation in cooperation with the mechanical

department of the American Newspaper Publishers Association has

been continued during the year. The conclusions are not as definite as had been hoped for in the beginning. However, the results of this

investigation are the only data available on the deterioration of linotype and stereotype metals in service.

The report submitted by the technical director at the mechanical

conference of the association in Buffalo on June 13, 1929, is in part

as follows: At the Harrisburg conference of the mechanical department of the American

Newspaper Pubhshers Association, in June, 1927, a paper was presented deahng

with the technical investigations conducted by the Government Printing Office, with special reference to the work on type-metal alloys—one of the most important

groups of materials used by the printing industry. In connection with the research program of the Government Printing Office an investigation was planned to determine the following:

(1) The rate of deterioration, in composition ^nd quality, of type-metal

alloys in use.

(2) The most suitable compositions for these alloys for their respective

uses.

(3) The most satisfactory method of maintaining uniform composition and

quality.

(4) Methods for reducing dross losses to a minimum.

The cooperation of commercial printing plants was desired to obtain a comparison of results in such plants with those obtained at the Government Printing

Office. It was believed that the smaller amounts of type metal in use by new^s- paper plants and the relatively much more rapid turnover would be more productive of results than data from the large stock of type metal in the Government

Printing Office with its slow and irregular rate of turnover. As this proposed

investigation was of interest to the American Newspaper Publishers Association, the suggestion was made that it cooperate in the work on linotype and stereotype

metal. This met with the approval of the association and five newspapers have

cooperated in this work. A progress report on the type-metal investigation was

presented at the Cleveland conference in June, 1928, and was published in Mechanical Bulletin No. 13. In order to determine the variations in composition of linotype and stereo- type metals in use, it was necessary to make chemical analyses of samples taken

at regular intervals from the metal stocks in use by these newspapers. Samples

of additions of toning metal were also analyzed as submitted.

The five newspapers submitted samples over varying periods of time between

October 10, 1927, and May 1, 1929. In general, samples of metal in use were

submitted weekly from the date each newspaper entered upon the work until July 1, 1928, and twice a month from that date until the work was concluded. The cooperating newspapers and the number of samples submitted by each are given below:

Linotype Stereotype

Minneapolis Tribune . 584066 Chicago Tribune ... . . 47 New York Times 40 37 New York Herald-Tribune - 36 46 Washington Evening Star ... 55 40 Total. 229 236

RESULTS OF ANALYSES

Each sample submitted was analyzed, and the percentage of tin, antimony,

copper, and lead determined. Tin and antimony determinations were made in duplicate. Copper was present as an impurity only, rarely exceeding 0.08 per cent. In approximately half the samples submitted it was found to be less than 0.05
Report of the Technical Director 119

per cent. While it is considered desirable to keep the copper percentage of lino- iype metal below 0.05 per cent, it has been our experience that 0.08 per cent will not cause difficulty on the casting machines.

The percentage of lead was determined by difference. Since its function is mainly passive and the percentage necessarily varies as the total of the percentages of the other ingredients change, graphs of its variations were not made.

• The percentages of tin and antimony in the respective samples from each

newspaper are given on a series of graphs. These graphs have been printed

separately, and will be furnished upon request.

The graphs show the general variation in the samples of metal over the period covered by the analyses. In certain instances the abnormal variations can be

accounted for by recent additions of new toning metals to the stock of metal in

use. In others the cause is apparently nonuniformity in the metal stock as a

whole. These variations are probably due to the fact that the toning alloy was

added at different times and the composition of the entire stock of metal was not

entirely uniform at any one time. Our analyses show only the composition of the metal in use at the time the samples were taken. However, the graphs fairly represent the normal variations in the percentages

of tin and antimony in the linotype and stereotype metals in use by these newspapers. The maximum and minimum, the average over the entire period, and

the standard percentages of tin and antimony in the respective type metal of each newspaper are given in the tabulations which follow. The average variation range is, of course, considerably less than that indicated by the maximum

and minimum figures.

Linotype metal, per cent tin Maximum Minimum Average Standard

Minneapolis Tribune 3. 85 3. 25 3. 60 4.25 Chicago Tribune 4. 60 3. 35 4. 00 4. OO New York Times 4.50 3. 70 3. 90 4.00

4. 15 3. 70 3. 85 4.oa Washington Evening Star 4. 65 3. 45 3. 80 3. 75

Linotype metal, per cent antimony

Maximum Minimum Average Standard

Minneapolis Tribune 12. 45 11. 80 12. 15 12. 00 Chicago Tribune 11.60 11. 15 11. 40 11. 00 New York Times 11. 80 11.25 11. 55 11.00 New York Herald-Tribune 12. 15 11. 40 11.7 11. 00 Washington Evening Star 11. 90 11. 35 11. 65 11. soStereotype metal, per cent tin Maximum Minimum Average Standard

Minneapolis Tribune 7. 45 5. 45 6. 65 7.00 Chicago Tribune 5. 30 4. 80 5. 00 5.00 New York Times 6. 40 4. 50 5. 15 1 5.00 New York Herald-Tribune. 5. 40 4. 35 4. 75 5.00 Washington Evening Star 6. 40 4. 25 4. 85 5. 00

Stereotype metal, per cent antimony

Maximum Minimum Average Standard

Minneapolis Tribune 14. 15 12. 65 13. 45 14. 00

14. 05 13. 35 13. 70 15. 00 New York Times 14. 55 13. 00 13. 95 14.00 New York Herald-Tribune 14. 05 13. 05 13. 50 13. 50 Washington Evening Star 14. 85 13. 30 14. 15 14.00

1 Changed to 6 per cent Dec. 13, 1928.
120 Annual Report of the Public Printer

LINOTYPE METAL ANALYSES

During the entire period the percentage of tin in linotype metal of each paper

varied over a range of approximately 0.5 per cent; the larger variations being

caused by additions of new metal. One change in particular—that of the tin in the Washington Star metal in June, 1928—was caused by the addition of too much toning metal, which increased the tin above the intended percentage. At

that time they were using a toning metal containing a high percentage of tin. Due to the pressure of the other work, the analyses were not made as soon as the samples were received. When the analyses were made, it was found that too much toning metal had been added. The percentage of antimony will be found to vary over a smaller range than

the corresponding tin percentages, giving a somewhat smoother graph. There

are no significant changes shown on these curves. Two newspapers allowed their linotype metal to go without additions for a

definite period of time. The Minneapolis Tribune made no additions to its stock over a six-month period, from October 1, 1928, to April 15, 1929. (Sample for October 1, 1928, was lost in the mail.) The New York Herald-Tribune made

no additions to its stock over a 3-month period, February 4 to May 9, 1928, and

also over a 4-month period November 1, 1928, to March 1, 1929. In the 6-month period (October 15 to April 15, 1928) the tin content of the Minneapolis Tribune metal decreased steadily from 3.8 per cent to 3.25 per cent. The antimony varied irregularly between 11.95 per cent and 12.3 per

cent. It was 12.1 per cent at both the beginning and the end of the period.

During the 3-month period (February 4 to May 3, 1928) the New York

Herald-Tribune metal showed variations in tin between 3.8 per cent and 4 per

cent. The slight increase in tin content and decrease in antimony content during the second week point to an addition of new metal which had not become

uniformly mixed throughout the stock. The antimony fluctuated rather erratically and showed no regular rate of change between the initial 12.15 per cent, the low 11.55 per cent, and the final 11.95 per cent. During the 4-month period

from November 1, 1928, to March 1, 1929, the tin content of this metal dropped

from 3.95 per cent to 3.7 per cent. The antimony content showed the usual

irregularity, varying from the initial percentage of 11.45 to 11.6 per cent and

finally 11.65 per cent. From February 1 to May 4, 1928, the Washington Evening Star made no additions to its linotype stock other than 4,000 pounds of new metal which was stated

to be of approximately standard composition. This metal was added gradually

during the entire period in order to offset the weight of metal lost by drossing.

This addition partially nullified the value of this period in comparison with

those given above. However, the graphs showing the percentage of tin and

antimony are in general accord with those of the similar periods with the Minneapolis Tribune and the New York Herald-Tribune.

A slow but definite tendency toward a loss of tin and an irregular tendency of the antimony to remain approximately constant seem to be the only conclusions which can be drawn from these results. The decline of the tin content was

relatively larger during the first two months of the period, suggesting that recent

additions of new metal had not become thoroughly diffused throughout the

stock. The fluctuations in the percentage of tin in the linotype metal of the Chicago

Tribune during the first few months of the investigation were undoubtedly due

to additions of new metal, of which, inadvertently, no records or samples were

sent. A sample of type cast by the Minneapolis Tribune about April 15, 1929, from

linotype metal containing 3.25 per cent tin and 12.1 per cent antimony was sent

in for examination as to the quality. This was at the end of the 6-month period

during which no additions were made. They reported that this type was entirely

satisfactory for use in newspaper work. However, we are of the opinion that

the tin content of this metal was near the danger point. Otherwise, no samples

of metals which gave trouble or were of especially good quality were submitted.

It is therefore impossible to make any recommendations from this work as to the absolute minimum percentages of tin and antimony necessary to give a good

linotype slug. All of the linotype compositions in use by the cooperating newspapers gave satisfactory results as far as could be determined from the information furnished. STEREOTYPE METAL ANALYSES

No marked changes in the tin content of the various stereotype metals occur which are not traceable to additions of new metal. In December, 1928, the
Beport of the Technical Director 121

Minneapolis Tribune made an effort to increase the composition of its stereotype

metal to the standard of 7 per cent tin and 14 per cent antimony, which accounts

for the abrupt rise noted in each instance. Since, then, in spite of additions, there has been a gradual but steady decline in the percentages of both tin and antimony.

The percentages of both tin and antimony in the Chicago Tribune and New York

Herald-Tribune stereotj'pe metals remained quite constant within a narrow

range due to the additions of toning alloys. The New York Times, in December, 1928, increased its standard for tin in stereotype metal from 5 per cent to 6 per cent and made a large addition of new

metal to effect this purpose.

After the period from February 1 to May 1, 1928, during which no additions

of new metal were made, the Washington Evening Star kept the tin content

within narrow limits. The percentage of antimony, after an addition of high

antimony toning metal which raised it above the standard, returned to approximatel}' the standard of 14 per cent. Since July 19, 1928, the Star has made

regular weekly additions of 400 pounds of new metal to the stereotype metal. This new metal has a specified composition of 8 per cent tin, 14 per cent antimony,

and 78 per cent lead. This addition has maintained the tin content within

rather narrow limits, but the antimony content has been slowdy lowered. This

is probabh' due to the addition of the metal recovered by sweating mixed linotype

and stereotype drosses to the stereotype metal stock. On one or two occasions the Washington Star submitted samples of stereotype metal with which trouble had been experienced. In one instance it was believed

that the addition of new metal had increased the "sinks" in the plates. Analysis

of this metal showed 5.1 per cent tin and 14.5 per cent antimony. The composition of the metal was therefore not at fault. None of the newspapers, except the Washington Evening Star, was able to allow the stereotype metal stock to continue in use for three months without

additions of new or toning metal. From February 1 to May 1, 1928, no additions

of new metal were made to its stock. However, the practice of adding the re- covered metal from the combined linotype and stereotype dross to the stereotype

metal made it impossible to consider this as a period of no additions. It is inter- esting to note the decline in the percentage of both tin and antimony during

this period. This decline was no doubt caused to a considerable extent by the

additions of recovered metal as previously stated. DROSS The question of methods of reducing dross losses to a minimum was not inves- tigated from a newspaper standpoint. The following data, collected in connection

with the Government Printing Office investigation, may be of interest: During the year several materials were used in an attempt to reduce dross losses

of linotype metal at the Government Printing Office. The materials listed below

were burned on the surface of the linotype metal at a temperature of 600° F.

just prior to skimming. The quantity of each material used was approximately

one-third of a quart for each 5-ton lot of metal. The percentage of dross also includes the dross removed the following morning after the metal was allowed to cool slowly overnight to permit the copper to come to the top.

Number of lots tested ^Material Per cent

dross Number of lots tested Material Per cent

dross

12 Light machine oil 0.78

.80

.81 .82

12. Castor oil . . 0. 84 .86

.88

12 Mutton tallow. _ 12 Beef tallow

20 Japan wax . 12 Palm oil . . 12 Lard oil . . .

There is apparently no m^aterial difference in the comparative value of these

oils. However, further tests will be made in this connection. A machine for recovering "shotted metal" from dross at a temperature not

exceeding 700° F. is now being tried out. The machine consists of an inclosed

cast-iron pot heated by a gas burner, and is operated at a temperature between

600° and 700° F. There is a stirrer which rubs the dross against the heated

walls of the pot, allowing the unoxidized metal to melt and flow to the bottom,

where it is drawn out. It is not believed that it would be suitable for use where

the amount of dross is small or where there is no chemical control to care for
122 Annual Report of the Public Printer

the changes in composition brought about by adding the reclaimed metal to the

pot. The recovered metal should be analyzed in order to insure that its addition

will not interfere with the composition of the standard metals; or, if it does

interfere, the alloy should be returned to standard composition by the use of correction metal. Results obtained over a period of two months show a recovery of approximately

65 per cent of unoxidized metal from linotype dross and approximately 50

per cent of metal from monotype dross. No tests have as yet been made on

stereotype dross. We were surprised at the high percentage of recovery since the dross was carefully removed in order to include the minimum amount of shotted metal. Analysis of the metal recovered from' the linotype dross showed it to be lower

in tin content and of approximately the iame antimony content as the metal

from which it was removed. The metal recovered from the monotype dross was

lower in both tin and antimony content than the metal from which it was

removed.

The following are analyses of average lots of recovered metal compared with

our standard formula metals:

Linotype metal recovered Monotype metal recovered

Tin

Standard From

dross

Tin

Standard From

dross

Per cent 4.4

11.5.08

84.1

Per cent

3. 55 11.8.09

84. 56

Per cent 7.3 16.8

.12 75.9

Per cent

5. 22

14.8.14

79. 84 Antimony. Antimony

Copper Copper

Lead... Lead

100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 CONCLUSIONS

It has proved difficult to draw any general conclusions from a study of the

graphs. No evidences of unusually good or bad type have been submitted with

which to relate the variations in composition. It appears that each of the type

metals has given satisfactory service under the individual conditions of use. It can, therefore, be concluded that there is a range of composition, within which the percentages of tin and antimony of these respective type metals fall, which will give satisfactory service. From the results of the analyses it was impossible to decide whether or not the limits of these ranges were reached in any of the samples submitted. However, these graphs show the uniformity of composition in type metal maintained by these newspapers under the direction of the metal

supply companies. The toning systems hold the metal stocks quite constant

considering all the variable factors that tend to modify the composition.

The composition of the type metals can be satisfactorily maintained by any

of the methods used by these five newspapers. The toning system appears to hold their essential metals (tin and antimony) within the desired range and to replace the amount of metal lost by drossing. The method to be used by any

paper or printing plant should be determined by the conditions in the plant,

whether it is desired to increase or decrease the metal supply or maintain it at a constant amount. One other conclusion can be drawn in this connection. The chief losses due

to dross on linotype metal occur in the remelting process and not on the casting

machines. The surface of metal exposed on the linotype machines is very small and the temperature is usually controlled around 500° to 530° F. Under these conditions practically no dross loss takes place. When the metal is melted in remelting pots holding from 1,000 to 10,000 pounds, the entire surface of the metal is exposed to oxidation and in many cases at a temperature considerably

higher than that in the pot of the casting machine. The temperature of these remelting pots should be automatically controlled and not allowed to go over 600° F. at any time unless special toning metals which might require a higher

temperature are being added.
Report of the Technical Director 123

This point is strikingly illustrated by the experience of one of the newspapers

that is cooperating in this work. Its remelting pot was being operated without

automatic gas control and without a thermometer. No record of the temperature

at which this pot was operated was available. We placed a recording pyrometer

in the pot,, locked the door and covered the glass so the operator did not know

the temperature at which the pot was being operated, operation of the pot was

continued as before. When removed, the chart showed that the temperature

had been as high as 940° F., the average being between 700° and 800° F. This shows clearly the importance of temperature control on any pot where

type-metal alloys are heated. With automatic temperature control on the remelting pots the dross loss and the consequent loss in tin and other ingredients in the metal will be reduced to a minimum.

This work also indicates that the analysis of linot3-pe metal once in three months should be sufficient. However, analysis once a month would be desirable. The decline of only 0.5 per cent in tin content in three months is much less than we anticipated when this work was started. INK SECTION

The production of printing ink for the fiscal year 1929 was 162,135

pounds, an increase of 12,505 pounds over that for 1928.

Although the testing section was established in 1922, little technical

work was done by this office on the manufacture of printing ink

until 1924, when the ink section was placed under the control of the

laboratory. The first work was the development of specifications for

all raw materials used in the manufacture of ink. This w^as followed

by work on formulas for several special inks, such as addressograph,

stencil, and mimeograph.

Mimeograph ink has become an important product, a total of 35,066

pounds being made in the fiscal year 1929. During the last three

years the office produced 83,165 pounds of mimeograph ink, with a commercial value of $124,747.50. This ink was furnished to the

various Government departments at a charge of approximately

$50,000, with a saving to the Government of $75,000.

Efforts to reduce waste ink in the pressroom have been continued.

Previous to September, 1928, vv'aste ink was used in the manufacture

of news and book inks. However, considerable difficulty was experienced mth these inks due to variations in quality. The waste ink

now being returned to the ink section is unfit for reclamation and is discarded. The total amount of waste ink for the fiscal year 1929 was 3,710 pounds or 2.29 per cent of the total production. This is a material reduction from the preceding year, in which 5,606 pounds

of waste ink were returned.

The manufacture of bindery ruling inks was transferred to the ink

section.

Inks were developed at the request of the Post Office Department

and the Department of Agriculture to meet certain special requirements.

Due to the increase in the ink requirements of the^ office and the

wider use of better quahty inks, which require finer grinding, a 4-roll mill has been added to the equipment of the ink section.

Technical control of the manufacture of ink and the standardization of the formulas have resulted in a decided improvement in the

quahty of the inks used by the Government Printing Office.
124 Annual Report of the Public Printer

PRESS ROLLERS

There were 3,254 press rollers manufactured by the office during

the year. In the previous year 3,109 were used by the office. Research was started to determine the comparative life of rollers made from different grades of glue, the value of glycerin substitutes,

and other points of interest to printers. The test rollers were made

from all new material, using both glycerin and glycerin substitutes

with two qualities of glue. A report will be made after the tests have been completed.

GLUES

The following table shows the amount of each kind of molded glue

manufactured during the fiscal year 1929:

Kind of glue composition

Pounds Formula A (flexible glue for handwork) 28, 080

Formula B (flexible glue for quick-setting machine work) 16, 500

Formula C (flexible glue for perfect binder) 4, 708 Formula D (tablet composition for handwork) 3, 000

Formula E (for reducing the flexibility of flexible glues) 4, 680

Formula F (for use on case-making machines) 18, 360

Formula G (for cabinetmaking) 923

Formula H (tablet composition for use on perfect binder) 1, 500

Canceling stamp composition for Post Office Department 1, 205

78, 956

The use of beta naphthol as a glue preservative has been continued

with satisfaction. Following the announcement of the value of this

material in a previous report, numerous commercial glue preservatives

have been sold under various designations. Those examined by this

laboratory have proved to be either beta naphthol or related compounds.

The formulas adopted for molded glues have proved satisfactory

and their use has been continued without change except for the

perfect binder glue. As a result of mechanical improvements by

the office, it was found possible to use a more flexible glue on the

perfect binder, resulting in a considerable improvement of the finished

work. After an investigation in which numerous formulas were

tested the following was adopted as giving good results for perfect

binder work:

Per cent Glue No. 3 40. 0 Glycerin 33. 2 Water 26. 6 Beta Naphthol . 1 Terpineol . 1 100. 0

Glue-glycerin ratio, 1.2 to 1. Although containing a high percentage of glycerin, this glue was

found to work satisfactorily even under conditions of high temperature and relative humidity.
Report of the Technical Director 125

SUPPLIES TO OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Furnishing miscellaneous supplies manufactured by the Government Printing Office to the various departments and independent

establishments of the Government in accordance with Public Act 222,

Sixty-ninth Congress, has become an important part of the work of

the division of tests and technical control.

The quantities furnished have shown an appreciable increase each

year since the act became effective July 1, 1928. The following

table shows the quantities of the different supplies furnished to the

various Government agencies for the fiscal years 1928 and 1929:

Kind of material 1929

Alimeograph ink, black pounds.

Printing inks, including multigraph, black and colored do Addressograph ink, blue and black do

Blue-black writing ink quarts.

Red writing ink pints.. Stamp-pad inks, blue, black, and red pounds.. Numbering-machine inks, blue, black, and red ...do Molded glue, including canceUng-stamp composition for the Post Office Depart- ment pounds..

Paste do

33, 963

3, 602

227

8, 015

4, 150 818

118 3,110

13, 182 The total charge to the various Government agencies by the

Government Printing Office for the supplies this year was approximately $25,500. It is estimated that the same quality of materials,

if purchased through former sources of supply, would have cost approximately $61,500. For the first year (1927) that printing supplies were furnished by the Government Printing Office a saving of $20,100 was effected, for the fiscal year 1928 the saving was $32,100,

and for the fiscal year 1929 it was $36,000, making a total saving

to the departments of approximately $89,000 for the three years. The quality of the various supplies furnished by the Government

Printing Office is fully equal and in some cases superior to that

formerly obtained from other sources. The division of tests and technical control at the end of the fiscal year 1929 comprises four sections, the technical laboratory (formerly

the testing section) , the ink section, the metal section, and the roller and glue section, with a total of 37 employees and a total annual

expenditure of $159,065.38 for labor and materials. The technical

laboratory alone now has 19 employees and the expenditure for the

past year was $45,487.92. For salaries and equipment the total ex- penditure for 1923, the first full year of the testing section, was

$12,473.05.

o

NEW EXTENSION OF THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE;

Rear view showing condition of 8'story building and garage, December 26, 1929. The I'Story structure at the extreme right is not Government property




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