GENERAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

TEXTILE TESTING ROOM WITH CONTROLLED HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

GEORGE H. CARTER, Public Printer ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

PUBLIC PRINTER

1931

UNITED STATES

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 1932
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

Public Printer.—George H. Carter, Iowa

Deputy Public Prm<er.—John Greene, Massachusetts.

Production Manager.—Ellwood S. Moorhead, Pennsylvania.

Assistant to Production Manager.—William D. Skeen, Pennsylvania.

Assistant to the Public Printer.—Miss Mary A. Tate, Tennessee.

Chief Clerk.—Hesky H. Wright, New York,

Assistant Chief C/er/c.—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.—William J. Cassiday, District of Columbia.

Technical Director.—By-ron L. Wehmhoff, Washington.

Disbursing Clerk.—Edward J. Wilver, Pennsylvania. Deputy Disbursing Clerk.—J. Basil Perkins, Minnesota.

Medical and Sanitary Director.—Dr. Daniel P. Bush, Nebraska.

Assistant Medical and Sanitary Director.—Dr. Charles P. Waite, Pennsylvania.

Superintendent of Documents.—Alton P. Tisdel, Ohio,

Assistant Superintendent of Documents.—Miss Josephine G. Adams, District of Columbia

Superintendent of Planning.—'William A. Mitchell, North Carolina.

Assistant Superintendent of Planning.—LiOVis C. Vogt, Florida. Superintendent of Pnniin^.—Hermann B. Barnhart, Indiana.

Assistant Superintendent of Printing.—Mavricv^ H. Phillips, Ohio. Foreman Linotype Section.—Charles H. Van Hook, New Jersey, Foreman Monotype Section.—\Yill H. Chase, Maryland. Foreman Proof Section.—Marioj^ E. Bullock, Maryland. Foreman Patents Sedion.—Raymond H. Lecraw, Rhode Island. Foreman Hand Section.—Kvcm Reid, Wisconsin. Foreman Job Section.—Allan C. Clough, New Hampshire. Foreman Library Printing Branch.—James H. Heslet, Kansas.

Chief Type Machinist.—TfAmEL 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.—

osefu 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.—Ralph W. Howard, District of Columbia. Foreman Blank Section.—Walter H. Oliver, Maine. Foreman Library Binding Branch.—George R. Erler, Maryland.

Superintendent of Platemaking.—Edward G. Whall, Massachusetts.

Assistant Superintendent of Platemaking.—Edward A. Kerr, Massachusetts. Foreman Finishing Section.— Ckarles H. Hanson, Pennsylvania. Foreman Molding Section.—TnoMas H. Mumford, Jr., Pennsylvania. Foreman Photo-Engraving Section.—Eugene F. Burr, Missouri. Night Production Manager.—Edward A. Huse, Massachusetts.

Assistant Night Production Manager.—John M. Wilson, Kansas.

Assistant Superintendent of Pressxvork, night.—Charles C. Gastrock, Pennsylvania. Foreman Linotype Section, night.—IELarry L. Murray, Pennsylvania. Foreman Monotype Section, night.—William A. Morris, Missouri. Foreman Proof Section, night.—Karry B. Goodrell, Iowa. Foreman Hand Section, night.—George O. Atkinson, Massachusetts.

Assistant Foreman Pamphlet Section, night.—Albert Lindstrom, Missouri.

Assistant Foreman Platemaking, night.—Herman C. Groth, Pennsylvania.

Superintendent of Construction and Maintenance.—Alfred E. Hanson, Massachusetts.

Chief Carpenter.—Abraam B. Batton, District of Columbia.

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.

Construction Foreman.—Edward M. Lilley, Maryland. Foreman Sanitary Section.—

osetb. L. May, Virginia. Storekeeper and Traffic Manager.—William H. Kervin, New York.

Assistant Storekeeper.—John F. Hysan, Maryland.

Chief Instructor of Apprentices.—BvRR G. Williams, Iowa.

Assistant Chief Instructor.—Frank M. Roller, Pennsylvania.

Assistant Chief Instructor.—Nathaniel G. Watts, Missouri.

Congressional Record Clerk {Capitol) .—William A. Smith, District of Columbia.

Chief of Delivery.—Thvrston G. Brown, Maryland.

Captain of Guards.—Thomas L. Underwood, Indiana.

II
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PUBLIC PRINTER

United States Government Printing Office,

Office of the Public Printer,

Washington, D. January 20, 1932.

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, 1931, and also for the last half of the calendar

year 1931. More orders for printing and binding, shorter hours of labor due

to the Saturday half-holiday law and a drastic reduction of overtime

work, along with expanding activities due to occupancy of a large

extension of the plant, have made necessary a considerable increase

in the regular w^ork forces of the Government Printing Office. During the fiscal year 1931 there were 938 appointments and 463

separations, including 183 retirements on annuities. The number of

emploj^ees on the rolls June 30, 1931, was 4,903, an increase of 471

for the fiscal year.INCREASE in NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

The total number of employees on the rolls December 31, 1931, was 5,043, an increase of 216 for the year, 635 more than two years

ago, and 852 more than four years ago. The present enrollment is 264 less than the greatest number ever employed in the Government

Printing Office, which was during the World War.

That there has been plenty of work for the augmented force of employees is evidenced by their completed products for the fiscal year

1931, amounting to $14,546,440.75, an increase of $449,920.50 over

the production in the preceding fiscal year. During the eleven fiscal years from 1921 to 1931, inclusive, the

Public Printer has returned to the public Treasury the sum of

$10,837,647.24 in unexpended funds and miscellaneous receipts. Of

this amount, $7,960,291.84 was available for expenditures but not used

by the Public Printer. The unexpendable miscellaneous receipts of

$2,877,355.40 came from the sales of public documents and waste

materials. All the pledges to the Director of the Budget for the

saving of reserved funds, amounting to $233,764 in the last four

years, have been fulfilled.

1
2 Annual Report of the Public Printer

PRODUCTION AND EMPLOYMENT

The production total for the fiscal year 1931 was $2,370,077.89 more

than that for the fiscal year 1921, an 18 per cent increase in 10 years. During the same period the number of employees increased 6 per cent. The principal items of production increases in the fiscal year

1931 included the output of typesetting machines, amounting to 2,507,813,400 ems of type, or 31,246,300 more ems than were set in

the fiscal year 1930, and 286,198,200 more than in 1921. The press- work in 1931 totaled 2,393,483,181 chargeable impressions, an in- crease of 28,534,768 over the preceding year and 75,838,732 more

impressions than were printed in 1921.

All kinds of printed matter produced by the Government Printing

Office in the fiscal year 1931 totaled 3,409,447,250 copies, including

3,129,202,656 blanks, notices, circulars, and cards. Of letterheads,

noteheads, and envelopes there were printed 149,118,805 copies, an

increase of 31,066,139 for the year. Embossed letterheads and

envelopes for departmental use totaled 949,460, a decrease of 669,390

from the embossing done in 1930. Members of Congress did not

order any stationery embossed by the Government Printing Office

during the year. GREATER NUMBER OF PUBLICATIONS

Publications printed in the fiscal year 1931 for all branches of the

Government service totaled 88,524,736 copies, an increase of 426,497 over the number printed in 1930. Of the 1931 copies, 1,247,587 were

bound, an increase of 201,600 over the preceding fiscal year. The number of jackets (job specifications) written during the

fiscal year 1931 totaled 64,938, an increase of 2,635 over the preceding

year and 8,417 more than in 1921.

These increases are continuing during the present fiscal year, as indicated by the records for the first six months since July 1, 1931,

which show a gain of 129,706,800 ems of type set over the corresponding months of the j^receding fiscal year. Actual press impressions,

which increased 2,237,076 in the fiscal year ended June 30, 1931,

showed a further gain of 10,228,222 impressions during the first six

months of the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1931. Numerous bindery

operations also made good gains during the first six months of the

present fiscal year. In addition to the increased force necessary to handle the greater

volume of work, the rigid curtailment of overtime has necessitated

the services of many more employees to offset the shorter hours of

labor. There were 420,928 less hours of overtime, Sunday, and

holiday work in the fiscal year 1931 than in 1930, when the extra
Annual Report of the Public Printer 3

hours of employment totaled 478,557, as compared with only 57,629

hours of overtime in the fiscal year 1931. Consequently the expenditures for that purpose in 1931 were $496,587.99 less than in 1930. There has been further reduction of overtime, Sunday, and holiday work during the present fiscal year, the number of hours of

such employment for the first six months being 6,713 as compared

with 31,873 extra hours during the corresponding months of the fiscal year 1931, with a further decrease of $30,971 in overtime expenditures.

Thus, during the last 18 months, there has been a decrease of approximately $527,560 in expenditures for overtime work. This sum

has been available for the employment of an additional force to do the work which formerly had to be handled with overtime, Sunday, and holiday labor.

AVERAGE ANNUAL EARNINGS DECREASE

The great reduction of overtime work has, of course, decreased the

average annual earnings of employees, although there has been no

reduction in the rates of wages during the year. The average earn- ings per employee during the fiscal year 1931 was $2,121.42, a de- crease of $116.17, or 5 per cent less than for the preceding fiscal year. This decrease in average earnings may properly be regarded as a contribution of $116.17 each from the employees of the Government

Printing Office for the employment of other persons to assist them

in the work they formerly had to do in overtime.

Notwithstanding the decreased average earnings in the fiscal year

1931 on account of the overtime reduction, the average earnings per

employee was $449.61, or 27 per cent, more than for the fiscal year

1921. The average pay for Printing Division employees in 1921 was

$2,025.99, and in 1931, $2,582.98, an increase of $556.99.

GLAD TO SHARE WORK WITH OTHERS

It is gratifying to note that the decreased average earnings for

1931 were accepted willingly by employees who were not only glad

to be relieved of the longer hours of labor but were happy also to share their jobs with the additional employees required to produce

in the regular 8-hour day the work that formerly necessitated hours

of daily overtime.

Employees of the Government Printing Office have also responded

splendidly to every appeal for assistance to the less fortunate.

Their contributions to the Washington community chest for 1931

amounted to $23,395.70, Tv^ell exceeding their quota for the year. Again, in the Red Cross enrollment for 1932 the Government Printing Office went over the top with a total subscription of $2,520.01,
4 Annual Report of the Public Printer

exceeding in employee percentage every other Government establishment in Washington.

To the Washington community chest and unemployment fund for

1932 the employees of the Government Printing Office also liberally

contributed $50,014.19.

In addition, many thousands of dollars have been contributed to unemployment relief by employees through their own trade and social

organizations and to charities in their home States and elsewhere.

FIVE-DAY WEEK AND WAGES

Another cause for increasing the force of employees during the

fiscal year 1931 was the enactment of the Saturday half-holiday law,

which became effective on March 1, 1931. The new law granted to each employee a total of 17 days additional holiday time with full pay. To carry on the same amount of work as previously done on Saturday afternoons requires approximately 220 additional employees. The increased annual expense on this account alone is approximately $500,000.

However, the extra cost of the year-round half holiday has been

offset somewhat by the increased efficiency and better morale of the

employees due to the longer periods of relaxation from their weekly

labors. For this reason, and in order to provide work for more

people, the Public Printer earnestly recommends that Congress

establish a 5-day week throughout the year. RESOLUTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION

The International Typographical Union at its convention in Boston on September 16, 1931, unanimously adopted the following

resolution thanking the Public Printer for his help in securing the

Saturday half holiday for Government workers and his continued

cooperation in the effort to obtain a 5-day work week

Whereas it is the universal opinion of labor leaders and far-sighted business men that the adoption of the 5-day week is necessary and inevitable, and

Whereas M^orkers in the Government Office at Washington, D. C, can not re- ceive the benefits of this highly desirable condition except through legislation of the Congress of the United States, and

Whereas Public Printer George H. Carter has placed himself on record as favor- ing the 5-day week for the Government Printing Office, and

Whereas it is our belief that our Government should lead the way in the inau- guration of this relief measure to be sincere in the statements made by numerous

statesmen, including the President of the United States, Herbert Hoover : Therefore be it Resolved, That the International Typographical Union in convention assembled at Boston does hereby indorse the efforts of Columbia Typographical Union,

No. 101, and committees of the Government Printing Office in seeking this legis- lation and directs the executive council to lend all possible assistance to the end
Annual Report of the Public Printer 5

that the 5-day week may become a reality at the coming session of Congress ; and

be it further

Resolved, That this convention also indorses and extends thanks to the Public

Printer, George H. Carter, for his help in securing the 44-hour week and his con- tinued cooperation with the committees in seeking a further reduction in hours without loss of pay.SATURDAY HALF HOLIDAY APPRECIATED

Among other expressions in appreciation of the Public Printer's

indorsement of the Saturday half-holiday legislation are the

following

Telegram from Mr. Charles P. Howard, president of the Inter- national Typographical Union, dated Indianapolis, March 3, 1931

Am advised Congress has enacted and President affixed his signature to Satur- day half-holiday bill affecting members of International Typographical Union

employed in Government Printing Office. I desire to express appreciation for your sympathetic cooperation and support. This action recognizes principle our Government should be model employer. Letter from Mr. Clyde M. Mills, president of Columbia Typographical Union, No. 101, Washington, D. C, dated March 21, 1931

Columbia Typographical Union, No. 101, at the March meeting, unanimously

indorsed a resolution expressing sincere appreciation for your favorable consideration of the problems of the committee of the Government Printing Office working for the half-holiday bill. Not only do we appreciate your efforts for the half-holiday bill but for your ex- pressions favoring the 5-day week. We feel sure that with your cooperation the campaign for the 5-day week will meet with success. BOOKBINDERS THANK PUBLIC PRINTER

Letter from Mr. Felix J. Belair, president, and Mr. John J. Renals, secretary, of the Journeymen Bookbinders' Union of the District of Columbia, dated March 16, 1931

At the meeting of local union No. 4, International Brotherhood of Bookbinders,

held on Wednesday, March 11, 1931, a resolution was unanimously adopted ex- pressing the sincere thanks of our members for the assistance rendered by you in the passing of the Jones bill, providing for a 5i/^-day week for Federal employees.

To you, Mr. Carter, we feel deeply grateful, and we are directed to convey to you the sincere thanks and appreciation of our members. Letter from Mr. Charles F. Markey, president, and Mr. John A.

McLean, secretary-treasurer, of the Electrotype Molders and Finishers Union, No. 17, Washington, D. C, dated March 18, 1931

At our regular March meeting a resolution was unanimously passed thanking you for your very valuable assistance in helping the employees of the Government

obtain the Saturday half day, which has recently become a law. This half day all year means so much to your employees in the way of healthful recreation and advancement that it is hard to find words in which to express our thanks. We do take this opportunity, however, to express our appreciation

of your assistance, and for your interest in the welfare of your employees.
6 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The occupation of the new G Street building extension, adding

173,500 square feet of floor space, also required additional employees

for the enlarged activities of several divisions which previously did

not have sufficient room to carry on their work. The additional

facilities were made available principally to the Division of Construction and Maintenance for its numerous workshops ; the Division

of Public Documents for its priceless library and rapidly increasing

sales of Government publications; the Presswork and Platemaking

Divisions for additional machiner}^ and equipment; the Division of

Tests and Technical Control for its growing activities, including the

production of inks, press rollers, and bindery glues; the Stores Division for its immense stock of materials and supplies, and the Accounts Division for its extensive files ; all of which are now properly

safeguarded in fireproof rooms with all-metal equipment.

PERMANENT FORCE OF 5,0 00 EMPLOYEES

All of the foregoing factors contributed materially toward sus- taining the estimate in the Public Printer's Report for 1930 that the

increasing work and shorter hours of employment in the Government Printing Office would require a force of approximately 4,982

employees during the fiscal year 1931. From present indications, a permanent enrollment of about 5,000 emploj^ees will be needed to carry on the regular work of the Government Printing Office for

the ensuing year. Wages and salaries paid the daily average of 4,759 employees on

the rolls of the Government Printing Office during the fiscal year

1931 amounted to $10,095,824.42, an increase of $348,887.54 over the

preceding year, which had an average of 403 fewer employees.

The 1931 pay roll exceeded that for 1921 by $2,592,730.53, or 341/2

per cent more. The average number of employees in 1921 was 271

less than in 1931. As before stated, the average wage per employee

in 1931 was $449.61, or 27 per cent, more than the average in 1921.

WAGE INCREASE FOR THE 10 -YEAR PERIOD

For the 10-year period 1922-1931 the average wage was $1,967.82, or $675.27 more than for the 10-year period 1912-1921.

The increase of wages and salaries in recent years was due to the

operation of the Kiess Wage Act of 1924, which applies to all but

181 employees in the office of the Superintendent of Documents whose

salaries are subject to the Classification Act. On recommendation by the Public Printer, Congress specifically

provided in the Welch Act of 1928 that employees of the Government

Printing Office, whose rates of pay are set under authority of the

Kiess Act by collective bargaining with the Public Printer and
Annual Report of the Public Printer 7

arbitration with the Joint Committee on Printing, shall not be subject to the Classification Act relating to other Government employees.

The annual appropriation acts also provide that the compensation

of employees paid by the hour in the office of the Superintendent of

Documents shall be subject to the Kiess Act instead of the Classification Act. None of the Government Printing Office employees should be re- stored to the jurisdiction of the Classification Board, which has little practical knowledge of industrial wage problems.

The Public Printer is fully in accord with the action of the

American Federation of Labor in opposing a proposal to include

Government skilled trades and related occupations in new legislation

for final determination of their wages by a personnel classification

board. Such a change would seriously disrupt the organization and

operation of this office and serve no good purpose.

WAGE AND SALARY CUT OPPOSED

The Public Printer is also firmly of the opinion that wages and

salaries in the Government Printing Office ought not to be reduced at

this time. An}^ decrease in the present rates of pay would result in

a corresponding loss to the Government by lessening the efficiency and

morale of the most energetic organization in the Federal service. Many of the employees of the Government Printing Office remained

in its service during the World War period without any material

increase of pay for the long and arduous hours of essential war work

they chose to do for the Government instead of yielding to the

allurement of higher war-time wages elsewhere. There are also

870 veterans now employed in the Government Printing Office who

likewise served the Government during the World War without

thought of special reward.

UNFAIR TO STOP BELATED REWARD

These faithful and lo3''al employees have now come to enjoy a fair rate of compensation from the Government they served so well during the war, and it would be grossly unfair to take from them the

belated reward for their devoted services to the country during the war.In accord with the Public Printer's support of present wage standards, the Joint Committee on Printing recently adopted his recom- mendation that the committee reserve the right to revoke any

Government contract for paper made by workmen whose wages are reduced during the contract year. That the provision may be of

benefit to a considerable number of paper-mill workers is shown by

the annual requirements of the Government Printing Office for
8 Annual Report of the Public Printer

approximately 54,000,000 pounds of paper. The actual expenditure

for paper bought by the Government Printing Office during the fiscal year 1931 was $2,850,320.46.

In addition, the Government Printing Office spent for other materials purchased in the fiscal year 1931 the sum of $2,007,643.10, in- cluding $299,472.54 for new machinery.

Thus, it is evident, the Government Printing Office has provided

employment for a large number of persons throughout the country as well as materially increased the number of employees in its own

organization.

The number of employees and amount of purchases are, of course, regulated by the quantity of printing and binding ordered by Congress and the various Government departments and establishments

within the limitation of their annual appropriations. The Public

Printer has no control over these expenditures.

CONGRESSIONAL WORK

Congress appropriates an annual working capital of $2,500,000 for

the operation of the Government Printing Office, and against this

sum is chargeable all the printing and binding done for Congress,

which practically exhausts the capital fund every year. The cost of congressional printing and binding in the fiscal year

1931 amounted to $2,499,995.34, which was exceeded only by the

Department of Commerce with a total of $2,894,677.43, the latter including $1,147,444.86 for Patent Office printing.

The charges to the Government for congressional printing do not

include the cost of printing copies of speeches which Members of

Congress send to their constituents. This expense is borne by the

Members themselves, who paid $61,257.91 for the printing of

14,683,000 copies of their speeches during the fiscal year 1931. Notwithstanding the congressional campaign last year, the printing of

speeches decreased 2,160,850 copies from the total for the preceding

fiscal year. FRANKED ENVELOPES FOR CONGRESS

The number of franked envelopes furnished free to Members of

Congress for mailing their speeches and Government publications

during the fiscal year 1931 totaled 25,360,900 and cost the Government $58,767.30, an increase of 2,750,100 envelopes at an additional

cost of $8,454.51 over amount for the fiscal year 1930.

There were 5,969,784 copies of congressional publications, including bills, reports, hearings, and documents other than the Record,

printed in the fiscal year 1931 at a cost of $1,336,927.43, an increase

of 1,059,154 copies over the preceding year.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 9

In addition, 12,246,218 copies of Farmers' Bulletins were printed

during the year 1931 for congressional distribution at a cost of

$164,114.86, which was charged to a special appropriation for that

purpose. The number of Farmers' Bulletins in 1931 decreased

2,910,982 copies from the preceding year.

• Printing and binding the Congressional Record for the three

sessions of the Seventy-first Congress, March 4, 1929-1931, cost $1,582,816.24, including $570,656.44 for the fiscal year 1931.

The daily Record for the three sessions of the Seventy-first Congress totaled 28,228 printed pages, which were consolidated and re- printed in 27,944 pages of the bound Record and made a set of 26

volumes for the entire Congress.

FREE DISTRIBUTION OF THE RECORD

Free public distribution of the Record requires 36,000 copies of

the daily edition and approximately 4,800 sets of the bound edition

for each session. There were 636 paid subscribers at various times

during the Seventy-first Congress.

The daily Record for the third session of the Seventy-first Congress averaged 108 pages for each issue. During the last six days

the Record averaged 188 pages for each issue. The highest daily

average of any former session was 83 pages.

The largest Record of the last session contained 256 pages, the most

ever printed in one night. A previous Record of 366 pages required

several days' work before it was issued in 1914. As a matter of fact,

approximately 300 pages of type were actually set and proofread in one night for the 256-page Record of March 3, but about 50 pages of

type had to be left over for the next issue to facilitate the presswork.

Both Houses held late sessions that night, the Senate not adjourning

until 3 a. m. However, 6,000 copies of the 256-page Record were

printed and delivered by 8 o'clock the same morning.

THIRD OF RECORD NOT PROCEEDINGS

Of the 7,779 pages in the daily Record for the third session of the

Seventy-first Congress, 2,388 pages were printed in smaller type,

which indicates that about one-third of the Record for the last session was devoted to matter other than the actual proceedings and

debates in Congress.

Apparently, the present session of Congress will keep pace with

the preceding one, as indicated by a 160-page Record on its second

day and an average of 90 pages daily for the 13 issues up to the

Christmas recess. The recent index to the daily Record from December 7 to 22, 1931, and the history of congressional bills for the same

period filled 324 printed pages.
10 Annual Report of the Public Printer

With the installation during the past summer of a new 64-page

web press, the Government Printing Office now has three such presses

specially built in recent years for printing the Congressional Record

and an older 32-page web press for the same purpose. These four

presses make it possible to print a Record of 224 pages with one

set of plates or to speed up the production of a smaller Record by the

duplication of plates on two or more presses. Aside from the Record, the principal item in congressional work

for the fiscal year 1931 was committee printing, costing $605,654.05, an increase of $256,052.80 over the expenditures for the fiscal year

1930. Printing for Senate committees in 1931 cost $287,674.97, and

for House committees, $316,979.08.

Included in the charges for committee printing is the cost of

hearings which, exclusive of the stenographic expense, amounted

to $375,284.05 for the fiscal year 1931, an increase of $198,219.39 over the preceding year. The hearings printed in 1931 filled 73,054

pages, and 357,732 copies were supplied to the respective committees.

Appropriation committee hearings for the last session totaled

9,776 printed pages. In one night, 695 pages of appropriation hearings were set and read, and 10 proofs made of each page for morning

delivery to the committee.

AIDED COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

In appreciation of its services to the House Committee on Appropriations, the clerk, Mr. M. C. Sheild, addressed the following

letter to the Government Printing Office on March 17, 1931

With the close of the past session of Congress I feel it a sense of obligation to write in appreciatien of the splendid work the Government Printing OflSce has

done in the expedition of the large volume of matter which has been printed for the Committee on Appropriations.

The session was one of the busiest of short sessions which I have experienced,

there being so much of interest and extra work arising in connection with appropriation matters due to the prevalence of drought relief and depression relief requests for consideration. From the start of committee hearings last November until the adjournment on March 4th we have received the most expeditious and satisfactory service that could be wished for. At times I have been almost ashamed to ask for certain volumes of work to be executed in a very limited time, but no task has seemed

to be too large or too intricate for prompt production, and I wish you and the

fine organization contributing to your aid to know that their efforts on the work

of this committee have been and still are very genuinely appreciated.

While the entire staff is concerned with every job, I would feel remiss if I did

not especially mention Mr. Edward A. Huse and Mr. Ralph Harris for their ex- treme courtesy and responsiveness in the contacts which this office makes daily

and nightly with the G. P. O. The chairman of the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia,

Senator Arthur Capper, of Kansas, who is a very successful magazine
Anmtal Report of the Public Printer 11

publisher, thus expressed his approval on April 10, 1931, of the service that the Government Printing Office had rendered his committee

Allow me to take this occasion to thank the Government Printing Office for its expeditious and eflacient service to the committee during a session which made

heavy demands upon your forces. Printing of bills for consideration by Congress is another largesized job during each session. More bills were introduced during

the third session of the Seventy-first Congress than in any previous

short session, the number of new bills and resolutions for the session

totaling 6,041. In addition to the printing of bills as introduced,

5,718 were reprinted in other forms of legislative procedure, making

in all 11,759 various prints of bills during the last session. These

bills totaled 76,336 pages, and 4,827,652 copies were printed in the

various forms at a cost of $305,759.73. BILLS ARE PRINTED IN RECORD TIME

Within 10 days after the opening of the present session of Congress and notwithstanding the delay in organization, the Government

Printing Office had completed the printing of all the bills and reso- lutions introduced in both Houses of Congress up to that time,

totaling 9,053 and including 35,170 type pages. On the night of

December 9, 1,561 bills were received from Congress. The day and

night shifts imposed 408 bills in 16 hours. These records for the

printing of bills have not been exceeded at the opening of any prior

session of Congress.

A total of 9,524 introduced bills and resolutions were printed for

the present Congress up to its recess on December 22, almost equaling

the average number for an entire session heretofore.

House subcommittee prints of all appropriation bills, with complete budget estimates and comparative information, were completed

for committee use on December 7. These preliminary prints con- tained 3,800 pages, including a large amount of tabular matter. LARGER NIGHT FORCE FOR SESSION

In anticipation of the increase of work to be required by the present

session of Congress and also partly on account of the Saturday half

holiday, the night force was enlarged to 1,083 employees, approximately 200 more than were regularly employed at night during for- mer sessions of Congress. The increase of departmental work had

necessitated the continuance of a regular night force of 670 employees

since the adjournment of Congress on March 4, 1931. Night employees are paid 15 per cent in addition to the regular

day rate, but it is difficult to obtain enough volunteers for night
12 Annual Report of the Piiblic Printer

work, therefore quite a number of employees have to be drafted from

thne to time.

The printing of the annual Budget is another job of prime importance to Congress. The 1,000-page quarto book was completed for

submittal by the President on December 5, 1931, although the last folio of copy was not received by the Government Printing Office until December 2. The first delivery consisted of 1,Y80 copies.

In appreciation of this service, the Director of the Bureau of the

Budget, Col. J. Clawson Koop, addressed the following letter to the

Public Printer under date of December 11, 1931

I take pleasure in expressing to you and your force of able assistants my ap- preciation of the manner in which the printing of the 1933 Budget was handled

by the Government Printing Office. This work was done in a comparatively

short time with dispatch and accuracy. It is a testimonial of the great effi- ciency of your establishment.

I would appreciate it very much if you would extend my thanks to Captain

Moorhead and to Messrs. Huse, Barnhart, Mitchell, and Phillips for the splendid

cooperation which they rendered in connection with the printing of the Budget

also to Messrs. Wright and Rohm for their valuable service in assisting in the proofreading of the Budget.

EXECUTIVE JOURNALS OF THE SENATE

By resolution of February 28, 1931, the Senate ordered the printing of its confidential Executive Journals for the last 30 j^ears, from

the Fifty-seventh to the Seventy-first Congress, inclusive. These

journals record the executive proceedings of the Senate in the consideration of presidential appointments, treaties, and foreign relations,

and are always held strictly confidential until released by order of the

Senate.

There have been only five previous printings of the Senate Executive Journals, the last one in 1911 covering the proceedings from 1891

to 1901. The Executive Journals now being printed begin with

volume 32 and will consist of 51 books. The completed set will

include 71 volumes, 14 of which have two parts each. About 12,000

pages for 25 of the additional volumes were put into type during the

past summer. It is estimated that the 51 books to be printed will

contain about 37,000 pages, including extensive indexes.

A Senate resolution provides for the printing of 500 copies of each

volume of these Executive Journals and directs that the injunction of

secrecy shall not be removed until ordered by the Senate when the

printing has been completed. The indexing will require several

months' work before the further progress can be made with the

printing.

The cost of printing and binding the additional volumes of the

Senate Executive Journals will be approximately $175,000, which
Annual Report of the Public Printer 13

will be chargeable to the regular annual appropriation for printing

and binding for Congress.

Congress also ordered during the year the printing of some of the

reports of the Xational Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement, the so-called Wickersham Commission. The report on

the Enforcement of the Prohibition Laws of the L'nited States was

printed as House Document Xo. 722, January 7, 1931, being a complete reprint of the report which the commission had first published

by a commercial printer. The congressional edition of this report

consisted of 172 pages, and 30,663 copies were printed.

KECOEDS OF THE WICKERSHAM COMMISSION

On February 26, 1931, the Senate ordered the official records of

the Xational Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement

printed as Senate Document Xo. 307, Seventy-first Congress, under

the direction of the Joint Committee on Printing. These records fill 2,916 printed pages bound in five volumes. Of each volume there were printed 1.923 copies required for the regular distribution of a congressional document. Xo extra copies were ordered for free public

distribution. The cost of printing and binding the five volumes was

$23,289.67. The Superintendent of Documents ordered 300 sets for

sale at $6.75 per set, but none has been sold as yet.

Fourteen separate parts of the commission's full report were

printed by the Government Printing Office for the commission at a cost of $12,870.52, making the total expenditure for the 101,345 copies

of its publications, including 7,569 type pages, amount to $71,435.87.

A considerable number of copies of the separate parts have been sold

by the Superintendent of Documents at a price of $7.25 for the set. The Xational Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement, on June 26, 1931, passed the following resolution of appreciation of

the services rendered by the Government Printing Office in the printing of its reports

Resolved. That the commission express its appreciation of the very efficient service which it has received from the Government Printing Office in connection

with the printing of the various reports of the commission. The exigencies of the situation created by the limitation of time on the commission's work made

it necessary to require very unusual service of the Government Printing Office and the commission is desirous of expressing its appreciation of the service which the Government Printing Office has rendered in so effectively meeting all its requirements.

THE WEITIXGS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

Good progress is being made in the printing of the Writings of

George Washington, a monumental set of 25 volumes authorized by

Congress to commemorate the bicentennial celebration in 1932 of

Washington's birth year. Three volumes have been printed and
14 Annual Report of the Public Printer

bound, and the text for six more volumes is in type. Further work

is awaiting action by the editors. At the present rate of progress, the

complete sets will not be available for distribution for several years. A bill now pending in Congress provides that of the 2,000 sets authorized for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, those

ordered not later than July 1, 1932, by public libraries and institutions and societies of learning shall be priced at $50 per set. The

price of the remaining sets then available to the public shall cover the balance of the cost of the publications, which will undoubtedly be

considerably in excess of $50 per set. No sets are provided for depository libraries except by purchase. One thousand additional sets will be printed for the official distribution designated by law.

BICENTENNIAL EDITOR PRAISES BOOK

Upon receiving a copy of the first bound volume the editor of the

Writings of George Washington, Mr. J. C. Fitzpatrick, addressed the

following letter of appreciation to the Public Printer under date of

January 21, 1931

My thanks for volume 1. The Printing Office has clone itself proud, and the volume, according to my way of thinking, is a specimen of very fine and careful bookwork. What impresses me most is the dignity of it, along with the fine workmanship. I see nothing to criticize, I do not think that the acknowledged

best of private publishers could have done any better. For the advice and counsel of the Government Printing Office I am at all times

grateful and accord it not only full credit for this fine piece of work but also willingly admit that your craftsmen have been of much service to ye editor. The Public Printer was also pleased to receive the following trib- ute to the printing of the Writings of George Washington from

Mr. George W. Jones, of London, the famous dean of master printers, who designed for an American company the Granjon type used

by the Government Printing Office for the first time in the printing

of the Washington books : I want to tell you how much I appreciate the generously worded copy you sent me. It is a next-door companion to Doctor Bridge's Testament of Beauty.

These two books are my most cherished because they are the most personal and

intimate of my book possessions. I can not tell you how proud I am of them.

I can well believe that beautiful work such as this, coming from the Govern- ment Printing Office, will exert a big influence on American printing, because,

after all, the purely " highbrow " and the " striving-after-effect " work is seen by a comparatively few. OTHER BOOKS ABOUT WASHINGTON

Other special publications in commemoration of the Washington

Bicentennial that have been printed by the Government Printing

Office include

An account of the Virginia Campaign and the Blockade and Siege

of Yorktown, by Col. H. A. Landers, a royal octavo volume of 219
Annual Beport of the Pudlic Printer 15

pages, printed in 12-point Kennerley type on antique rag paper and

profusely illustrated by the offset process

The Correspondence of George TTashington and Comte de Grasse. from the Washington Papers in the Library of Congress, a royal

octavo of 168 pages in 12-point roman type, also on anticiiie rag

paper: and

Eight htmdred and fifty-three thousand copies of the following

pamphlets relating to TTashington issued by the United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission : The Mother of

George TTashington: Homes of Washington; Family Kelationships

Youth and Manhood: Home Making of George and Martha Washington: Social Life; George Washington, the Christian, the Man of

Sentiment, a Friend and Patron of Music, the Leader of Men. the

Builder of the Xation. the Man of Action in Military and Civil Life,

the President, and Year by Year : and Programs and Plans for the

Xation-wide Celebration in 1932 of the Two Hun^iredth Anniversary

of the Birth of George Washington.

mSTOPvT OF THE NATIC'XAL CAPITAL

In connection with the Washington Bicentennial publications.

Congress has also authorized the printing of another historical vol- ume, entitled " Washington, the Xational Capital." which will be

completed in March. 1932. It will contain about 700 pages in 12-point

Kennerley type and include 100 half-tone illustrations. An edition

of 7.500 copies will be printed, of which 2.000 are to be for sale by the

Superintendent of Documents.

Another artistic publication. " The Development of the National

Capital." was printed durmg the past year in Cjuarto size with 10- point Century expanded type on coated rag paper. About 10.000

copies of this handsome publication were issued.

COST OF PPJXTIXG ITTILITT REPOPTS

Printing is progressing on the reports on electric power and gas

utility companies which the Federal Trade Coimnission was ordered

to submit to the Senate from time to time in compliance with a resolution by Senator Walsh of Montana adopted on February 15. 1928. L'p to date this document (S. Doc. Xo. 92. 70th Cong. ) consists

of 38 volumes, containing 17.536 printed pages, and has cost to date

$153,113.07 for approximately 3.50u copies. It is estimated that these

reports will not be completed for another year or two and that the

total cost of printing will exceed S200.r)OiJ. The printing of special volumes of the eulogies delivered in the

Seventy-first Congress in honor of the twenty-four deceased Members

82246—32 2
16 Annual Report of the Public Printer

of that Congress cost $64,478.74 for the 128,808 bound copies. In- cluded in this number were 1,200 copies bound in full morocco for

family distribution.

A recent publication that has received much favorable comment

is the Plan Presented to the President by the Muscle Shoals Commission. Although largely statistical, the report was made attractive

with well-proportioned type pages, the text being accompanied by

mam^ half-tone illustrations, colored maps, and diagrams. The 112

pages of the report were appropriately bound in cloth with a dis- tinctive cover designed by the Government Printing Office. STYLE OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING

Among many commendations of the good work of the Government Printing Office are the following, which the Public Printer is especially pleased to quote at this time in view of recently published

criticisms of Government printing as " absolutely mediocre,"

" atrocious," and " frequently downright abominable."

From Mr. J. Horace McFarland, of Harrisburg, Pa., former

president of the American Civic Association, who is also noted for

the beauty of his own printing products, under date of May 7, 1931

I don't know whether you ever dare look at individual items in the production

of your big print shop, but, if you do, please look at Senate Document 128, " The

Preservation and Improvement of Niagara Falls and Rapids," referring to page 7

of which will connect my interest in this particular document.

But the reason I am writing you about it is, first, to hand you the largest bou- quet I can get mailed for 2 cents for the quality and beauty of the work done.

It isn't often that documents of this sort are as splendidly carried through.

The publication which pleased Mr. McFarland was printed with

Kennerley type and contains 360 pages, including numerous halftone and line cuts made by the Government Printing Office. BOOK PRAISED AS " MOST ARTISTIC " From the Hon. Kay Lyman Wilbur, former president of Stanford

University, who on December 24, 1931, sent the following letter of

congratulations to the Public Printer on the printing of Conservation in the Department of the Interior, a 272-page octavo volume with

160 illustrations produced entirely by the offset process and bound in

cloth with appropriate decorative design:

I congratulate you on the work of the Government Printing Office in publishing the book Conservation in the Department of the Interior, copies of which

have just been received. It is a most artistic and distinctive publicaiion and

your office has cooperated to the fullest extent with this department in its preparation. We appreciate the interest you have taken in it. From Mr. James H. Van Wagenen, United States Commissioner

on the International Boundary Commission, under date of November

3, 1931, relative to the printing of the Joint Report of the Reestab-
Annual Report of the Pithlic Printer 17

lishment of the Boundary Between the United States and Canada,

a volume of 640 pages and 95 illustrations appropriately bound

The Canadian Commissioner, Hon. Noel J. Ogilvie, and I wish to express to you and the employees of the Government Printing OflQce our appreciation of the

excellent work done on the printing and binding of our Joint Report Upon the Reestablishment of the Boundary Between the United States and Canada, North- westernmost Point of Lake of the Woods to Lake Superior.

We are certain that the fine results obtained were due to the cooperation and

personal interest of every member of your force who worked on this report, particularly Mr. William A. Mitchell, Superintendent of Planning, and Mr. Martin

R. Speelman, Superintendent of Binding, and his assistants, Mr. John A. Patter- son and Mr. M. C. Harman.

"handsome," says CANADIAN COMMISSIONER

From His Britannic Majesty's Commissioner, the Hon. Noel J. Ogilvie, of Ottawa, Canada, under date of November 14, 1931, in

regard to the same publication

I wish to express my appreciation of the splendid manner in which you have

printed and bound the Joint Report of the International Boundary Commissioners Upon the Reestablishment of the Boundary Between the United States and

Canada, Northwesternmost Point of Lake of the Woods to Lake Superior.

The copies of the report and of the atlases of maps bound in full and half morocco which have already been received are verj* handsome volumes indeed and

have been much admired by those to whom they have been shown.

Let me again express my appreciation of your efforts and those of your staff

in enabling the commission to present the results of its work in such attractive form. BEAUTIFUL BOOK FOR STATE DEPARTMENT

From Mr. Hunter Miller, historical adviser of the Department of

State, under date of October 16, 1931, in regard to printing and

binding of the first two volumes of the Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America, which will make a series of 9 or 10 volumes

I can not forbear expressing to you both officially and personally my congratulations on this beautiful book. It shows from cover to cover continuous evidence

of the thoughtful care and pains taken by those concerned with its production.

I do not see how it could have been better done and before examining the volume

I would not have thought that it could have been done as well. You and your

fellow workers are justly entitled to be proud of this admirable and artistic ac- complishment as my colleagues and myself are delighted with it. From Mr. Thomas H. MacDonald, Secretary General of the American Organizing Commission of the Sixth Congress of the Permanent

International Association of Koad Congresses, under date of July 29,

1931, in regard to the quality of printing for the International Road

Congress

On behalf of the American Organizing Commission of the Sixth International

Ptoad Congress, I wish to express our appreciation of the work done by your
18 Annual Beport of the Public Printer

organization in handling the great volume of printing necessitated by the meeting

of the Congress in Washington, October 6 to 11, 1930. This work included the printing of the reports to the Congress by engineers

from many countries, the printing of the Daily Bulletin during the week of the Congress, and, more recently, the publication of the proceedings.

We have been much impressed with the excellent quality of the printing, the promptness with which it has been executed, and the unfailing courtesy we have

received from your staff. From Medical Director Charles M. Griffith of the United States

Veterans' Administration, under date of June 9, 1931, in regard to printing the Medical Bulletin of the United States Veterans' Bureau

It is felt that appreciation should be expressed to you for the carefulness and

excellent quality of work which is being done in the printing of the United

States Veterans' Admistration Medical Bulletin. Editors of other journals, in reviewing copies of the Medical Bulletin, frequently comment upon its excellent typographical make-up, and particularly commend the photographic cuts. It is recognized that the proofreading of the technical copy of this publication re- quires care and intelligence, and I am grateful to you and your staff for the care which you have shown in this respect. WORK PLEASES EDUCATION COMMISSIONER

From Hon. William John Cooper, Education Commissioner, Department of the Interior, under date of December 29, 1930, in regard

to the typography of School Life, a periodical printed for the Office

of Education

I wish to express my appreciation for the excellent manner in which the back

page of December School Life was set up. The man responsible for the typography and organization of the copy which the Office of Education sent over to the Government Printing Office handled it unusually well. From Dr. George F. Bowerman, Librarian of the Public Library

of the District of Columbia, under date of May 14, 1931, in regard

to printing for the Washington City Library

I wish to let you know how much we appreciate the fine printing job that you

turned out in our last reference list entitled " The World War and Its Aftermath."

Time was when people used to think that the imprint of the Government Print- ing Office insured a tasteless job, but that is no longer the case. For example, we are proud of our monthly bulletin entitled " Your Library," and receive many

complimentary expressions concerning it. EQUALS HIGHEST COMMERCIAL CLASS

From Mr. Eobert M. Davis, editor of the Survey of Current

Business, Department of Commerce

I have been most favorably impressed with the class of work turned out by

the Printing Office in arrangement of the material, in the proper use of type, and

in the accuracy of typesetting. I think I am justified in saying that the Govern-
Annual Report of the Public Printer 19

ment Printing Office is on a par with, if not a little above, that usually found in the highest class of commercial publishing. Coming from one of the best publishing houses in the country, I have been most favorably impressed with the work turned out by your organization.

From Mr. J. Louis Gelbman, chief, Division of Printing, Government of the District of Columbia : I am writing this letter to you to express the appreciation of the heads of the various departments and myself on the excellence of the work produced by the Government Printing Office. It has been a source of gratification since the establishment of the layout sec- tion to note the improved quality of the workmanship.

Evidently, from the foregoing commendations and from numerous

other expressions of approval by fully competent authorities. Government printing is not regarded as altogether " atrocious " or merely " mediocre " by those who have an intelligent understanding

of the work of the Government Printing Office. DE LUXE EDITIOXS FOR PRIVATE PRINTERS

It is not the function of this Office to print luxurious books to be

exhibited in art galleries or to be treasured by millionaire bibliophiles. So called " fine printing " is the playground for academic

typographers and private presses in which the Government Printing

Office has no desire to disport itself at the expense of the taxpayers.

Unlike the government printing establishments of several other

countries, the United States Government Printing Office does not

engage in printing and binding of works of art and literature in

competition with commercial book publishers. Therefore the Public.

Printer has no opportunity to produce de luxe editions for the delight

of dilettantes and incidentally, of course, for the profit of the purveyors of freak types and fancy paper.

REAL PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING

The real purpose of Government publications is to convey information to the public in readable form. Accordingly, Government

printing must be legible above all else. That essential can not be

attained by producing the Congressional Record in the format of

a Kelmscott Chaucer or designing the Agricultural Yearbook like a de luxe edition of The Bible. Government printing has no need

to decorate itself in such luxurious style, but it does not lack the

skillful touch of capable craftsmen, as evidenced in the many Government publications that have been praised by an appreciative

public. This understanding by the readers of Government publications is more pleasing to the Public Printer than all the commendations that could come from the typographic art critics who find
20 Annual Report of the Public Printer

fault with any book that does not bear the imprint of an ancient

King's Printer or the markings of the crude types and primitive

presses of a colonial printer.

Notwithstanding the contrary views of sneering critics, the quality

of Government printing has greatly improved in recent years, as has

been attested by such distinguished printers and typographic experts

as Mr. John Henry Nash, of San Francisco, Mr. Norman T. A.

Munder, of Baltimore, Mr. George W. Jones, of London, Mr. Harry

Hillman, former editor of The Inland Printer, and Mr. Henry Lewis

Bullen, curator of the famous Typographic Library and Museum in

Jersey City, whose commendations have been quoted in this and previous reports of the Public Printer. The}^ are among the world's

foremost authorities on typographic subjects and their favorable

comments are highly gratifying, especially the expression of " a sympathetic understanding of the situation " by one member of this

notable group who likewise has been the victim of attacks from the same source. The better Government printing is the result, in part, of a thorough house cleaning which the Public Printer began three years

ago to rid the Government Printing Office of a vast accumulation

of obsolete type faces. In all, about 650 fonts of useless types, repre- senting 75 discarded faces, were remelted to provide metal for other

purposes.

NEW TYPE BOOK REFLECTS PROGRESS

The success of this undertaking is reflected in a new Type Book,

which the Government Printing Office completed during the past

year under the supervision of the Deputy Public Printer, Mr. John

Greene, an authority on type faces and good printing.

The new Type Book contains printings of all the book and job

type faces now in use in the Government Printing Office arranged in

orderly sequence by series and sizes. An important innovation is the measurement of the actual point size of the face based on the

capital letter " M " in addition to the body size of the type. The

relative position of the face on the type body is also shown. A scale

of parallel pica-spaced rules indicates the exact number of letters of

each type face from 6 to 72 point that can be printed in a 34-pica line. The carefully selected type lists include 10 notable faces for text composition as well as a number of faces in limited series for other

use. Of course, the famous Caslon family has the place of honor,

accompanied by Bodoni and Baskerville, for bookwork. A recent

acquisition is a complete series of Granjon designed by George W.

Jones, one of the foremost printers and type designers of the present
Annual Report of the Public Printer 21

age. The famous American type designer, Frederick W. Goudy, is well represented with his Kennerley, Light Old Style, and Forum

faces, of which the Government Printing Office is especially proud.

In addition to roman, other faces used for text composition are Bookman, Cheltenham, and Century Expanded. The recently designed

Ionic face was adopted as the new type dress for more legible printing of the Congressional Record beginning with the third session of

the Seventy-first Congress.

The Government Printing Office does not use any so-called ultramodern, sans serif, or other freak type faces which have made many

present-day publications illegible and ridiculous.

A special section of the Type Book is devoted to accented letters in

various faces and numerous foreign alphabets, including German,

Greek, Hebrew, Russian, Ruthenian, and Serbian. The book shows

a multitude of fractions and special equation characters, as well as a vast number of arbitrary signs, points, and odd characters.

MANY TYPES FOR INDIAN LANGUAGES

The Type Book also reveals the fact that the Government Printing

Office possesses the world's greatest collection of special matrices for

making types to print the various Indian languages used in the

publications of the Smithsonian Institution. The fonts of Indian

types have 246 special characters in the 6, 8, and 10 point, which are used for printing Bureau of Ethnology publications in the following

tribal languages of American Indians: Acoma, Choctaw, Miskito,

Sumu, Karuk, Fox, Cherokee, Zuni, Pawnee, Atakapa, and Osage.

Owing to the expense of printing the Type Book, it is not available

for public distribution. However, a few copies were submitted to trade publications and typographic experts, and their favorable comments are indeed gratifying.

SELECTION OF TYPE FACES PRAISED

The following review was printed in the Bulletin of the United

Typothetae of America on September 1, 1931

A copy of the Government Printing Office Type Book, showing the display and

body faces, ornaments, rule, etc., in use in the document and job sections, has

been received. It is a hard bound book, 8V2 by 11% inches in size, the various

divisions being thumb indexed, and shows excellent planning and workmanship

throughout. The pages devoted to display type are overprinted with light red down rules, spaced 1 pica apart, thus showing the number of characters in any

width up to 34 picas, while at the extreme right are given figures showing the number of characters in a 34-pica line. A special feature, one that should prove of great advantage, is the giving of the

actual point size of the face in addition to the body size, in all the different sizes of the display and poster wood type. Also, at the end of each line of capitals in each
22 Annual Report of the Public Printer

size there appears the capital M preceded by a 4-point rule which shows the point

size of the body and the position of the face on the body. This feature should be a

great help in avoiding misunderstandings as to type sizes on the part of those having to do with the ordering of printed matter, yet who are not fully versed in the different type sizes. The book shows, distinctly so, the careful overhauling that has been given the type faces of the Government Printing Office under the direction of Public Printer

Carter. The old and obsolete faces are conspicuous by their absence—they have

been discarded, the total number of different faces being greatly reduced. Yet, the specimen book shows an excellent range of display and text types, a selection that should meet every requirement of the various Government departments in their regular run of work, and also permit of making the printed matter produced

for these departments compare well with up-to-date general commercial printing

produced anywhere. At the same time, it shows that the Government Printing

Office is equipped with type faces that enable it to produce printing of the highest character artistically.

NEW STYLE MANUAL IN PREPARATION

It had been hoped that by this time the Government Printing

Office could also have issued a thoroughly revised edition of its Style Manual. The task of preparation has proven more difficult than first anticipated by the special departmental committee which

has generously undertaken to prepare a new manual for consideration by the Style Board of the Government Printing Office. Members of the advisory committee, by invitation of the Public

Printer, were designated by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of

the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, the Librarian of Congress, and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and include the following: Mr. H. D. Hubbard,

assistant to the Director of the Bureau of Standards; Miss A. M.

Ball, editor, Department of State; Mr. Bernard H. Lane, senior

editor. Department of the Interior ; Mr. Martin A. Roberts, reading- room superintendent. Library of Congress; Mr. Frank D, Smith,

assistant chief of publications. Department of Agriculture; and Mr.

Webster P. True, editor, Smithsonian Institution.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO REPORT SOON

The committee has had the revision of the Style Manual in hand

for the last two years and plans to submit a final report to the Public

Printer about March 1, 1932. In the meantime, the Style Board of

the Government Printing Office has begun consideration of several

sections which have been completed by the advisory committee. The

printing act of 1895 requires that the form and style in which Government printing and binding shall be executed shall be determined

by the Public Printer.

Undoubtedly, the careful and thorough work that has been done in

preparation of the new Style Manual will improve the quality of
Annual Eeport of tlie PuNic Printer 23

Government printing and may also be of real service to other printers, publishers, and educators who already have taken great interest

in the revision of the Government Printing Office Manual.

CHARGES FOR GOVERNlMENT WORK

Perhaps the new Style Manual will help also to reduce the cost of

authors* alterations of printed proofs which in 11 years. 1921-1931,

amounted to S2.2S2,791.99. The last year, 1931, was the peak of the

11 with a total charge of 821:0.393.69. The Department of Commerce

continues to head the list of these extra charges, with an expenditure

for that purpose in 1931 of $36,829.71:. Changes from copy cost the

Xavy Department 825.318.34. The AA^ar Department ranked next

with alterations amounting to 817.060.77. followed by the Department

of Agriculture with 816.201.15 to its debit. Authors' alterations in

congressional printing during 1931 cost $25,215.71:.

Another cause of extra expenditures in printing is the frec|tient

requirement for unusual rush in the production and delivery of cer- tain publications. Preparation of copy for these hurried jobs has

usually been delayed until the last minute when a demand is made on

the printer to make up for all the time lost elsewhere. Eush jobs

involve extra expense in u^^setting the regular routine of the office, frequently recjuiring night and overtime work at increased rates of

pay and necessitating an additional charge of 50 per cent. EXPEXDITUEES EOE *' EUSH PEIXTING

In the last 11 years, various branches of the Government service,

other than Congress, have exxDended $338,216.16 in extra payments

for rush work. The high mark of $50,657.48 was reached last year, although the Government Printing Office was better equipped and

manned to handle its work more expeditiously than ever before.

The greatest demand for rush work continues to come from the

Department of Justice, which expended $17,886.81 for that purpose

last year, or nearly three times the extra charges thus incurred by

any other department. The total expenditure of the Department

of Justice for rush work in 11 years has been $61,285.75.

The great bulk of riisli work for the Department of Justice has

been the printing of attorneys" briefs and transcripts of record for court filing. Many of the briefs have been submitted by attorneys

late at night for delivery of printed copies the following morning.

This great rush at the last minute has been made necessary by delays

in preparation of briefs until the court filing time has about expired.

Xo commercial printing office could afford to maintain a sufficient force to meet the^e unexpected over-night demands which have now
24 Annual Report of tJie Public Printer

become a habit with some lawyer patrons of the Govermnent Printing Office. If permitted to handle printing for the Department of Justice in the usual procedure of other work, the cost of a large part of its briefs could be reduced 50 per cent. Government charges for printing and binding frequently are compared with commercial prices which, as usually quoted, do not include

the extra charges for authors' alterations, special type faces, bindery

operations, overtime, and night work.

COMPARISON WITH COMMERCIAL PRICES

The following actual case shows the unfairness of such comparisons: For printing the regulation 50 copies of a brief of 76 pages, a local printer quoted a minimum price of $2 per page, but added extra charges of $5 for cover and $11 for italic and black letter composition, bringing his charge up to $168. The local printer figured on

doing the job in normal time without extra expense for authors'

alterations and overtime or night work.

The minimum charge by the Government Printing Office is $2.14

a page for 125 copies, including the usual amount of italic and black

letter; but the brief as the Government Printing Office was actually

required to print it for the Department of Justice cost $264.10, due

to an attorney's insistence that the work should be rushed to the

limit, with an additional expense of $87.68. The attorney also made

alterations in the printed brief costing $8.58 more. Without these

extra costs, for which the Government Printing Office was in no way

responsible, its charge for printing the brief with cover in the ordinary way would have been $167.84, or substantially the same as the

price quoted by the local printer.

Numerous other comparisons of the scale of charges for Government printing have been made with the composite production costs of commercial printing as compiled by the United Typothetse of

America. These comparisons show that the Government Printing

Office charges are no greater than the prices quoted for commercial

printing under similar conditions and of equal quality.

PRINTING or TABULATING CARDS

The printing of tabulating cards presents another interesting and

definite basis for a comparison of Government and commercial

charges, which shows greatly to the credit of the Government Printing Office. Prices charged by a tabulating machine company and
Annual Report of the Public Printer 25

(he Government Printing Office for furnishing printed tabulating

cards to various agencies of the Government are as follows

Tabulating machine company

Govern- ment Print- ing Office

For Census and departmental size (JH by Wi inches): Manila, per 1,000 cards . . . $1. 17

1. 25

1. 22 1.40

$0.80 .82 .82

.90

.55

Colored, per 1,000 cards,

Striped, per 1,000 cards - Numbered, per 1,000 cards For General Accounting Office size {b% by 3H inches): Manila, per 1,000 cards

.

. . . . CENSUS BUREAU PAID HIGHER PRICES Owing to the insistence of the Director of the Bureau of the

Census that all cards for the tabulation of the Fifteenth Census

(1930) be purchased from the tabulating machine company at the

higher prices, the Government Printing Office has not printed any

cards for the present census. To date, approximately 427,000,000

cards have been bought of the tabulating machine company for the

Fifteenth Census at a cost of more than half a million dollars. If the Government Printing Office had been permitted to print

these census cards, as it had done for all previous censuses since 1909,

the saving to the Government, according to the above comparison

of prices, would have been more than $200,000. However, the net saving would have been somewhat less owing to the higher rental

charge that the tabulating machine company exacts for the use of Government-made cards in the machines which it leases to the

Government. In the printing by the Government Printing Office of cards for prior censuses, the Census Bureau saved more than

$250,000.

CARDS FOR GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE

Beginning with the calendar year 1931, the Government Printing

Office has been printing all the tabulating cards used by the General Accounting Office, totaling approximately 60,000,000 cards for

the year. The Government Printing Office charge for these cards, as stated above, is 55 cents per 1,000. The tabulating machine company's price for furnishing similar cards the preceding year was 78% cents per 1,000. The reduction amounted to $14,000 in the cost of the cards used by the General Accounting Office in 1931. Several years ago the tabulating machine companj^ charged as high as $1.10 per 1,000 for cards for the General Accounting Office

and the Post Office Department, and $1.40 per 1,000 for other departmental cards. Undoubtedly the Government would have continued
26 Annual Report of the Public Printer

to pay these prices if the Government Printing Office had not suc- ceeded in printing satisfactory tabulating cards at much lower rates than are demanded by the tabulating machine company.

Based on these figures, it is a fair estimate that already more than

half a million dollars has been saved in the printing of tabulating

cards by the Government Printing Office, and the Government service

has thus been released, at least partially, from the clutches of a monopoly that would have continued to exact many millions of

dollars in excessive charges for printing tabulating cards.

GREAT INCREASE IN CARD PRINTING

The number of tabulating cards printed by the Government Printing Office during the fiscal year 1931 more than doubled the quantity

which it produced the previous year, the total for 1931 being

82,288,200 cards, an increase of 53,243,700. During the first six

months of the present fiscal year, July 1 to December 31, 1931, there were printed 39,226,000 cards, as compared with 23,218,200 cards

produced in the first six months of the preceding fiscal year. Aside from the Bureau of the Census, the only other Government

establishment in Washington that does not procure its tabulating

cards from the Government Printing Office, is the Post Office Department, which purchased approximately 170,000,000 cards from the

tabulating machine company in 1931 at 781/2 cents per 1,000 as com- pared with the price of 55 cents per 1,000 which the Government

Printing Office charged the General Accounting Office for similar

cards.

The Government Printing Office does not attempt to compete with

prison labor or with the products of other Government plants which

employ laborers, clerks, and soldiers at work done in the Government

Printing Office by skilled craftsmen who are paid adequate wages for

their services. However, the Government Printing Office can and

does produce printing and binding at less cost and with better service

to the Government than any commercial plant could do with corre- spondingly fair rates of wages and proper working conditions. BASIS FOR COMPARISON OF COSTS

Critics of the cost of Government printing sometimes contend that, as the Government Printing Office does not pay rent, taxes, insur- ance, interest, or profits, its charges should be less than the prices of

commercial plants. Such criticism overlooks the fact that these

expenses of a commercial plant are more than offset by the vast expenditures of the Government Printing Office for annual leave

and holiday pay, amounting to approximately $1,970,000, which has

to be included in the annual charges for Government printing.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 27

Congress has granted employees of the Government Printing

Office 63 days of leave and holidays annually with full pay, making

one-fifth of their time nonproductive but chargeable, and constituting 13 per cent of the total annual charges for printing and binding.

$2,000,000 YEARLY NONPRODUCTIVE TIME

Besides having to include nearly $2,000,000 for nonproductive time

in its annual charge of approximately $15,000,000, the Government

Printing Office also has to incur other large expenditures which do

not enter into the cost of commercial printing.

For instance, numerous acts of Congress, rulings of the Comptroller General, and regulations of the Treasury Department necessitate an elaborate system of accounting, the cost of which greatly

exceeds the expenditures for that purpose by any commercial

establishment.

To protect and safeguard the property of the Government Printing Office, an unusually large watch force has to be employed, the

cost of which offsets to a considerable extent the expenditures of a commercial establishment for insurance.

The civil service system of hiring and discharging employees is likewise cumbersome and adds materially to the cost of Government

operation by the slow and expensive method of obtaining employees

and readjusting the force to the needs of the service from time to time.

STORAGE OF PLATES AND TYPE PAGES

Another factor in the cost of Government printing is the tre- mendous amount of metal in type pages and plates that must be kept

standing to meet the reprinting requirements of Congress and the

departments. The vaults and storage rooms of the Government

Printing Office are filled with approximately 1,700,000 plates and

130,000 pages of type, containing approximately 4,600,000 pounds of

metal. This represents a standing investment in metal alone of

approximately $275,000.

Type storage had become such an added burden that the Public

Printer was compelled on January 1, 1930, to establish an extra charge for holding type for six months or longer. But this additional charge did not remedy the situation, and it was necessary on January 1, 1932, to increase the storage charge and reduce the period

to three months. The charges for type storage in the fiscal year 1931

amounted to $18,917.15, which did not begin to compensate the Office for its expenditures for metal, storage space, and handling.

Besides these extra costs, the Government Printing Office must be

equipped and manned to be able to meet any emergency, especially
28 Annual Report of the Public Printer

when Congress requires the printing overnight of a 256-page Congressional Record or a 535-page tariff bill, or the Patent Office

demands the printing of 3,174 patent specifications of various sizes

in one weekly issue. Those are emergencies for which no commercial printing plant could afford to install sufficient machinery, and

yet the Government Printing Office has to be prepared at all times

to handle just such unexpected situations.

These emergency provisions might be termed a " stand by " service

for which electric power companies make a heavy charge whether

any actual service is rendered or not. The Government Printing

Office can make its charges only when the service is actually ren- dered. Fortunately for its finances, there is no " standing by " of

Government Printing Office employees awaiting work to do, and the

extra machinery installed to meet any emergency is not paid for its " stand by " service.

CHARGES INCLUDE ALL EXPENDITURES

Every item of the expenditures during a fiscal year must be in- cluded in the charges for printing and binding for that year. This

applies not only to the expenditures for wages and materials but also to all purchases of machinery and equipment and all expenses in

the maintenance, upkeep, and repair of the plant, including heat,

light, and power. The law requires that the total charges for work

done during each year shall equal the total annual expenditures, and

no special appropriation is made to cover the cost of operating the

plant.

For the fiscal year 1931 the total charges for printing and binding

exceeded the expenditures by only $18,674.13, or one-eighth of 1 per

cent. The excess of receipts over expenditures in the preceding fiscal year was 1% per cent. DEPARTMENTAL PRINTING

The Department of Commerce maintained its lead in printing

expenditures with a payment to the Government Printing Office in

the fiscal year 1931 of $2,894,677.43, an increase of $322,080.27 over

the sum expended for that purpose in 1930. This total includes

charges of $1,147,444.86 for Patent Office printing and' $1,747,232.57

for all other printing for the Department.

Keeping pace with the greater cost of its printing, the Department

of Commerce increased the number of its publications during the

fiscal year 1931 by 2,958,970 copies, or 35 per cent more than were

issued in the preceding year. A total of 11,319,540 copies of Com-
Annual Report of the Public Printer 29

merce publications were printed in 1931. In addition, several hundred thousand copies of Commerce publications were ordered by the

Superintendent of Documents for sale to the public.

Of one Commerce publication alone, a 116-page illustrated pamphlet relating to Furniture, Its Selection and Use, 500,000 copies were

printed in May, 1931, for sale by the Superintendent of Documents at 20 cents per copy. The Director of the National Committee on Wood

Utilization, which prepared the report for the Department of Commerce, insisted that the half million copies would be needed immediately to supply the public demand for advice on the selection and use of furniture. However, to date, only about one-fifth of the copies

have been sold, and the bulk of these were bought by furniture

manufacturers and dealers for redistribution to prospective cus- tomers. The Department of Commerce ordered only 2,000 copies

for its own use. The total printing and binding charge for the furniture pamphlet was $29,731.40, of which $28,672.73 was paid by the Superintendent

of Documents for the 500,000 sales copies. The receipts to date from

the sale of this publication amount to $10,503.71.

SALE OF COMMERCE PUBLICATIONS

At the request of the Department of Commerce, the Superintendent of Documents also ordered the printing for sale of 878,121 copies

of other publications issued by the National Committee on Wood

Utilization. These pamphlets contain a wide range of advice and

information about the use of various kinds of wood and its products,

from lumber to sap stains, sawdust and wood flour. The popularity

of these pamphlets is attested by the fact that to date 683,140 copies

haA^'e been sold, more than a third of which were the three pamphlets

in the You Can Make It series. Another bit of advice to home folks, which the Department of

Commerce printed last year, was a 128-page pamphlet entitled " Care

and Repair of the House," prepared by the Division of Building

and Housing of the Bureau of Standards. Sixty thousand copies

of these directions for repairing " doors that rattle, latches that stick, floors that creak, screens that sag," etc., were printed for sale at 20

cents per copy. Nearly half that number are still in stock with the

Superintendent of Documents awaiting purchase by people who

may want to know how to make their homes more comfortable and

attractive. This pamphlet cost $4,869.01.

The Commerce Yearbook for 1931 consisted of two volumes con- taining a total of 1,463 pages. Of volume 1, relating to United States commerce, 14,012 copies were printed, and of volume 2, relating to
30 Anmtal Report of the Public Printer

foreign commerce, 7,022. copies, nearly all of which were ordered for

sale by the Superintendent of Documents. The cost of the Commerce

Yearbook for 1930 was $32,133.96, of which $18,500 was returned to the Government by the sale to date of 18,500 copies.

Another book issued by the Department of Commerce is the Bureau of Standards Yearbook, of which 5,429 copies were printed in

1931 at a cost of $4,725.89. During the year, 2,687 copies were sold,

the receipts amounting to $2,687.

Printing of the report of the Fifteenth (1930) Census of the United

States is now in full progress. To date, approximately 17,000 pages

of census schedules have been printed for the Bureau of the Census

at a cost of $440,000. The bureau plans to submit the last of its copy for printing the Fifteenth Census reports by July 1, 1932. The

additional copy will make about 25,000 pages, 9% by 11% inches in

size, 95 per cent of which will be in tabular form. The census printing in hand and yet to come will cost approximately $750,000, bringing

the total expenditure for printing the Fifteenth Census reports up to nearly a million and a quarter dollars. More than half a million

dollars in addition has been spent for contract printing of tabulating

cards.

PRINTING FOR THE PATENT OFFICE

Patent Office printing in the fiscal year 1931 showed a slight de- crease from the preceding year when there was an abnormal issue

of patents during the month of June, 1930, to avoid the higher fees. However, since the beginning of the present fiscal year there has been

a gradual increase in the issue of patents, the weekly total now

averaging over 1,000 patents as compared with a former average of

about 800. The increase of patent printing required the organization in

September, 1931, of a special night section of 35 employees to assist the regular day section of 131 employees engaged exclusively in composition and presswork for the printing of patent specifications and

the Official Patent Office Gazette. The editing and proofreading of

these publications require the additional services of 135 editors,

readers, and revisers.

Notwithstanding the efforts of the Public Printer to induce the

Patent Office to edit its specifications properly before submitting

them for printing, but little improvement has been made along that

line. During the fiscal year 1931 the copy editors in the Government

Printing Office were required to copy and insert in their proper

places 11,761 amendments containing 20,818 lines in 44,579 patents

before they could be handled by the typesetters and proofreaders.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 31

A year ago the Public Printer offered to make a reduction of approximately $50,000 annually in the charges for Patent Office printing if that office would prepare copy for specifications so that it could

be handled in the same manner as other copy which is correctly pre- pared for printing. There has been an intimation that the Patent

Office may undertake the work of editing its copy when more space is available in the new Commerce Building.

Patent specifications printed in the fiscal year 1931 contained a

total of 163,071 type pages, a decrease of 12,976 pages from the pre- ceding year. Of the 1931 specifications, 5,804,156 copies were printed

at a cost of $875,116.60, a decrease of $75,307.41 from the charges for

the fiscal year 1930. The weekly Gazette of the Patent Office con- tained 14,382 type pages and cost $216,253 for its 296,853 copies in

1931.

POSTAL SERVICE IS A BIG CUSTOMER

Another customer high up in the million-dollar class for printing

expenditures is the Post Office Department, which paid the Government Printing Office $1,895,680.02 for work done during the fiscal year 1931. Even at that, the Post Office Department made an early

start in its economies by reducing its 1931 printing expenditures

$218,930.42 under the cost of the preceding year. This decrease was

due principally to the lessening demand for Government postal cards on account of the 1-cent rate for private cards.

The output of Government postal cards in the fiscal year 1931 was 14 per cent less than in the preceding year, the total number

printed in 1931 being 1,485,384,120. However, the 1931 production

of postal cards was 17 per cent greater than that for the year 1921. The greatest number ever printed in any one year was in 1927, when

the output reached a total of 1,950,508,300 cards.

DECREASE IN MONET-ORDER DEMANDS

For the first six months of the present fiscal year there has been a further decrease of approximately 70,000,000 in the number of postal

cards printed as compared with the corresponding six months of the

preceding fiscal year. The demand for postal money orders continued to hold its own

during the fiscal year 1931, when 1,060,127 books of 200 orders each were shipped to approximately 60,000 post offices throughout the

United States. This was an increase of 4,815 money-order books for

the year, but the number printed since July 1, 1931, has decreased

75,359 books as compared with the first six months of the preceding

82246—32 3
32 Annual Report of the Public Printer

fiscal year. The 1931 production of money-order books was 23 per

cent greater than that for 1921.

Nearly half a billion other blank forms and cards were printed

by the Government Printing Office in 1931 for the Postal Service.

This work included 217,650,000 money-order application blanks,

154,799,190 registered, insured, and C. O. D. mail notices, 31,445,300

undeliverable-publication notices, 44,330,000 return-receipt cards,

20,085,000 registry-dispatch receipt cards, and 17,000,000 change-ofaddress slips.

Publications of the Post Office Department, including the Postal

Guide, totaled 1,564,349 copies during the fiscal year 1931, a decrease

of 452,927 copies from the preceding year. A considerable amount of Postal Service printing is also done in

the field for the use of the larger city post offices and the Railway

Mail Service.

AGRICULTURE LEADS AS A PUBLISHER

First rank as a publisher is an easy honor of the Department of

Agriculture, whose publications are about treble the number issued

by any other department or establishment of the Government. The

Department of Agriculture also qualified as a member of the milliondollar group of Government Printing Office customers, with printing

orders totaling $1,080,021.83 for the fiscal year 1931.

During the year 1931 there were printed 29,866,506 copies of Agriculture publications, including 12,246,218 Farmers' Bulletins, fourfi.fths of which are allotted by law to Members of Congress for free

public distribution. The copies of Agriculture publications printed

in 1931 decreased 6,868,340, or 19 per cent, from the total for the preceding fiscal year, nearly half of the decrease being in Farmers^

Bulletins.

AGRICULTURE YEARBOOKS FOR CONGRESS

The Agriculture Yearbook for 1931 cost $273,320.43 for its 400,619

copies, of which 380,138 were for free distribution by Members of

Congress. To date the Superintendent of Documents has sold 756

copies at $1.50 each. The edition of the Yearbook for 1931 cost $23,104.02 more than that for 1930, owing to an increase in number

of pages and copies. Copies of the 1931 Yearbook were available for

distribution on May 11, 1931.

In connection with printing for the Department of Agriculture, the

Government Printing Office rendered a special service which enabled

the department to expedite its handling of the drought-relief loans.

The speedy printing of the more than 4,000,000 forms required to

start the drought relief was commended in the following letter which
Amiual Report of the Puhlic Printer 33

the Secretary of Agriculture addressed to the Public Printer on January 29, 1931

I am writing to express the appreciation of the Department of Agriculture for the very fine cooperation given by the Government Printing Office in the printing

during the past few weeks of the regulations, application blanks, and other forms

necessary for the handling of the drought-relief loans to be made by this depart- ment out of the $45,000,000 appropriation of Congress.

The first copy for the form was sent to the Government Printing Office on Janu- ary 3 and delivery was begun on January 7. Altogether there were 31 different forms, due to the fact that loans are being made from four field offices with some- what different regulations at each of these offices, necessitating in some cases changes in the various forms. The total number of copies of all forms is in excess

of 4,000,000, which gives a definite idea of the magnitude of the printing job done

by your organization.

Recognizing the fact that this was a relief operation, the Government Printing

Office has contributed by doing this job without making the extra charge usually

required for rush printing.

OTHEE PATRONS OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING

Other principal patrons of the Government Printing Office in the

fiscal year 1931 were: The Treasiu'v Department, Avith a total payment of $941,489.95 for

its printing, which included 49,035,000 copies of the annual incometax forms and 3,658,112 copies of departmental publications

The Xavy and War Departments, with expenditures of $747,348.71

and $684,459.76, respectively, for their peace-time publications, total- ing together 13,157,548 copies

The Department of the Interior, which expended $388,336.84 for

printing, including 2,065,768 copies of various publications;

The Department of Justice, with a total charge of $341,234.17, an increase of $76,586.99 over the preceding year on account of a growth in its publications from 78,931 to 531,426 copies, due to the

printing activities of its newly acquired Prohibition Unit

PUBLICATIONS FOR DEPARTMENT OF STATE

The Department of State, with a printing and binding charge of

$250,559.39, an increase of $17,513.72, and 98,003 more copies of publications which totaled 963,309 for the year

The Department of Labor, with a charge of $239,644.20, which was

$39,369.64 less than for the preceding year, notwithstanding an in- crease of 39.521 in publication copies, totaling 1,854,971

The Library of Congress, with a total charge of $387,912.12, an

increase of $3,070.70, including work done by the branch printing

and binding sections which the Government Printing Office main-
34 Annual Report of the Public Printer

tains in the Library Building with a special force of 89 employees.

During the year 25,103,943 copies of Library catalogue cards and

9,740 pages of its Catalogue of Copyright Entries were printed

The Interstate Commerce Commission, with printing and binding

charges of $232,647.64, which included the cost of 2,074,368 copies

of reports, docket, opinions, etc., an increase of 408,542, or 25 per

cent more than were issued in preceding fiscal year;

The Veterans' xldministration, with $253,217.98 expended for millions of blank forms and letterheads ; and

The Government of the District of Columbia, with an expenditure

of $97,662.89 for printing and binding and $20,156.64 for blank

paper.

ANNUAL REPORTS FOR 19 30 COST LESS

The annual reports of all Government departments and establish-^^ ments for 1930, which were printed in the fiscal year 1931, cost $225,951.55, or $7,951.44 less than reports for the preceding year. The annual reports for the fiscal year 1930 contained 21,484 type

pages, an increase of 607 over the pages in the 1929 reports. The

number of copies printed of the 1930 reports totaled 487,226, or 17,397 more than for the preceding year. The annual reports for 1930 contained 37,456 fewer pages than

the reports for 1920, the reduction being due to a provision in recent annual appropriation bills authorizing the discontinuance

of the printing of annual or special reports, the original copy of

which shall be kept on file in the office of the head of the respective

department or independent establishment for public inspection.

MORE BLANK PAPER AND ENVELOPES

Included in the annual charges to the departments are purchases

of blank paper and envelopes, which the Government Printing Office

has been supplying in large quantities for the last seven years under

authority of the act of June 7, 1924. The charges for blank paper

and envelopes, including cost of stock and expense of cutting and

packing, amounted to $632,730.49 for the fiscal year 1931, an increase

of $10,389.14 over similar charges in 1930.

Approximately 2,500,000 pounds of the blank paper furnished to the departments and other establishments of the Government in 1931 were for use in mimeographing and multigraphing machines, indicating the vast amount of this form of printing which is not done at the Government Printing Office. The stocking and supplying of standard forms and blank books

for various branches of the Government service is another additional

activity of the Government Printing Office that has developed into
Annual Report of the Public Printer 35

a large business in the last few years. During the fiscal year 1931

there were issued from the Government Printing Office stock, 8,229.-

301 copies of approximately 160 standard forms for Government

use, 1.035,523 copies of Government freight transportation forms for

railroad use, 301,565 stenographers' notebooks, 235,774 standard note- books, and 813,970 standard memorandum pads.

STANDAKD BLANK BOOKS AND SUPPLIES

The Government Printing Office catalogue of standard blank books

and supplies lists 204 items which are carried in stock or obtainable

by contract for delivery to other Government establishments in

Washington. Sales of the catalogue items in the fiscal j'^ear 1931

amounted to $170,886.29, of which $90,091.61 was paid for 512,400

blank books manufactured by the Government Printing Office,

$2,445.88 for blank books obtained by contract, $49,991.80 for tablets made and stocked by the Government Printing Office, and $28,357

for inks, glues, paste, etc., also manufactured by the Government

Printing Off.ce. These sales are authorized by Public Act No. 222 of the Sixtyninth Congress, which provides that inks, glues, and other supplies

manufactured by the Government Printing Office in connection with

its own work may be sold to other Government establishments.

In regard to this special service, the Permanent Conference on

Printing, in its report to the Director of the Bureau of the Budget

for the year 1931, stated

Standard stock books and tablets manufactured and carried in stock by the

Public Printer are meeting practically all requirements of tbe Government service. Deliveries are being made promptly, and the unit price of the standard books is considerably below former cost prices.

NEARLY 1,5 0 0 CARLOADS OF MATERIALS

Approximately 57,500,000 pounds of materials and supplies, making nearly 1,500 carloads, were delivered to the Government Printing Office during the fiscal year 1931 to meet the requirements of its tremendous production of printing and binding and the needs of

other establishments of the Government. The deliveries of paper

alone amounted to 54,134,995 pounds. Practically all of this hauling was handled locally by the Government Printing Office fleet of 30

motor trucks.

It is interesting to observe the increase of motor-truck deliveries to the Government Printing Office from distant points. During the

year more than 2,000,000 pounds of freight were delivered by motor

trucks from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Richmond.
36 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The procurement of the immense quantity of equipment, material,

and supplies bought during the year 1931 required the issue of

9,232 purchase requests, 19,880 open-market proposals, 8,813 purchase

orders, and the posting of 189,000 stock-card entries, and 39,365

storekeeper's orders. The total purchases for the year amounted to

$4,857,963.56.

SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS

Government publications delivered to the Superintendent of Documents in the fiscal year 1931 totaled 72,142,884 copies, which, added

to the stock of 38,781,447 on hand July 1, 1930, made a total of

110,924,331 copies available for distribution during the year. Of

this number, 71,941,308 copies were disposed of, leaving a balance of

38,983.023 in stock on July 1, 1931, a gain of 201,576.

The distribution of publications by the Superintendent of Documents in 1931 included 56,315,707 copies ordered by various departments of the Government for free service to the public, 8,607,247

sold by the Superintendent of Documents, and 1,966,469 sent to depository libraries. In addition, 5,669,784 copies of Government

reports and documents were printed during the fiscal year 1931 for

free distribution by Senators and Members through the document

and folding rooms of Congress.

The sale of Government publications by the Superintendent of

Documents in 1931 increased 28,655 copies over the number sold during the preceding fiscal year and was 1,976,105 more than in 1921.

SALES RECEIPTS FOR YEAR $701,59 7.8 0 Keceipts from the 1931 sales amounted to $701,597.80, a decrease

of $7,374.66 from the preceding year. However, the receipt from

the sale of Government publications in 1931 was $408,226.17 more

than the income from that source in 1921, showing the great growth

of this business in the last 10 years. During the last fiscal year the Superintendent of Documents paid

to the Public Printer the sum of $720,600.38 for printing, which in- cluded 8,800,100 copies of publications ordered printed for sale and

library distribution. By law, the cost of composition and plates is charged to the department originating the publication and not in- cluded in the price of sales copies.

The following statement by the Superintendent of Documents

shows the number of copies on hand July 1, 1930, the number received

and distributed during the fiscal year 1931, and the number on hand

June 30, 1931, for various departments and establishments of the

Government
Annual Report of the Public Printer 37

Department On hand

July 1, 1930

Received

during

year

Distributed during

year On hand

June 30, 1931

Agriculture _ American Historical Association.. . 17, 833, 152

8, 560

29, 751, 183

5, 225

31, 330, 708

5, 973

16, 253, 627

7, 812

9, 593 3. 600 3, 009 10, 184 Commerce _ -_. 5, 833, 967 7, 864, 582 7, 300, 088 6, 398. 461 Congress 541 1,035 0 1, 576

1, OlO, QO\J 1 /1Q0 TAd 1, 18/. IVd 1, Uno, Ivt Employees' Compensation Commission.. ... 38, 750 11, 235 11, 513 38, 472 Ethnology 36, 599 26, 486 23, 666 39. 419 Eederal Farm Board. . ... . . Z\)6, 116 z, iaZ, yi4 1, oU/, 6b6 1 1 QO 07/I

1, loy, Z/4 Federal Power Commission 6, 738 51, 096 3, 503 54, 331 Federal Reserve Board _ . /O, Doo 340, 871 OoZ, 000 32, 166

ZoL, z6d 60, 702 oU, 9^0 251, 042 General Accounting Office . 4, 932 1, 273 1, 385 4, 820 Geological Survey -. . 164, 481 79, 068 74, 428 169, 121

323, 597 913, 531 867, 910 369, 218 Interstate Commerce Commission .. 794, 427 1, 417, 715 1, 0/0, bi

QQQ AlfX OOO, '1/U Justice 129, 418 744, 186 574, 547 299, 057 Labor... .-. . 2, 937, 841 2, 054, 132 2, 049, 701 2, 942, 272 Library of Congress .. ... 125, 362 18, 269 24, 036 119, 595 National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.. 47, 113 5, 961 38, 740 14, 334 National Museum . . 92, 077 85, 292 81, 600 95, 769 Navy

...

. 22, 667 36, 154 55. 593 3, 228 Post Office- 48, 893 7, 498, 316 7, 498, 828 48, 381 Public Health 2, 667, 718 1,431,319 1, 374, 406 2, 724, 631 Radio Commission

.

. 2, 083 200 2,083 200 Shipping Board . 11,087

57, 678 1^557

333, 770 350

17. 087

82, 864

83, 220

25, 341

"'i,'ii9,'753' 1,622

7, 494 3,245

77, 000

27, 980

"i,"253.l72'

17, 307

55, 039

1, 557

200, 051

1,972

10,694

83, 602

Smithsonian Institution State Treasury . Veterans' Administration ... . War

Miscellaneous.. . . 13, 887

2, 507 Total 33, 206, 077 57, 638, 350 «57, 553, 601. 1 33, 290, 826

" This total includes 1,237,894 copies of discarded obsolete publications, deducting

which reduces the actual distribution for the year to 56,315,707 copies.

^ This total does not include 5,692,505 sales copies, adding which makes the number

of all copies in stock June 30, 1981, total 38,983,331. The sale of Government publications is almost entirely a mailorder business, except for the comparatively small number bought at the bookstore which the Superintendent of Documents operates at 45 G Street, the new extension of the Government Printing Office. The mail orders for the fiscal year 1931 totaled 528,893, an

increase of 20,493 over the orders received in 1930. For the month

of March, 1931, there was a record-breaking average of more than

2,200 mail orders daily.

CREDITABLE CLEARANCE OF CLIECKS

The financial reliability of the average American and his banker was well demonstrated in the clearance of all but 1 of the 141,056

bank check-s received during the year in payment of $566,923.74 for

publications.

Although customers are continually warned that cash remittances are at their own risk, 154,085 letters were received during the year

containing a total of $62,125.59 in cash.

Besides the cash transactions, the Superintendent of Documents

maintains 2,700 accounts with customers who keep funds on deposit
38 Annual Report of the Public Printer

to cover their orders from time to time during the year. These cashin-advance accounts total about $40,000.

Another popular form of remittance is by coupons purchased in

advance. Receipts from the sale of coupons in 1931 amounted to

$24,272.85.

In these various forms and by postage stamps and money orders,

the gross receipts for the sale of publications in the fiscal year 1931

amounted to $768,306.60, of which $66,708.80 was refunded on unfilled orders or credited to a special Treasury account for future

orders, making the net receipts for the year's sales total $701,597.80.

PUBLICATIONS MAILED FOR DEPARTMENTS

Departmental distribution through the Superintendent of Documents, who has charge of the storing, wrapping, and mailing of practically all departmental publications, decreased 624,535 copies in the

fiscal year 1931, principally on account of a reduction in the issue of

Farmers' Bulletins. The 1931 distribution of 56,315,707 copies was

14,410,343 copies more than were mailed for the departments in the

fiscal year 1921.

Mention has been made elsewhere in this report of the extensive

distribution of Farmers' Bulletins issued by the Department of Agriculture and the large sales of publications issued by the Department

of Commerce. It therefore seems proper to refer here to a number

of publications widely distributed by other departments.

children's bureau a popular AUTHOR

Among the most popular, both for free and sales distribution, are four pamphlets of the Childien's Bureau, Department of Labor,

entitled " Prenatal Care," " Infant Care," " Child Care," and " Child

Management." Since the first one of these pamphlets was published

in 1913, the distribution of the four pamphlets to date has reached

a total of 12,826,193 copies, of which 2,616,345 were purchased by the

public. Great quantities have been distributed by Members of Congress, to whom the Children's Bureau, on request, has made monthly

allotments of 100 copies each of the pamphlet on " Infant Care."

Another publication in continuing demand is the Manual of First

Aid Instructions for Miners, of which the Bureau of Mines has

distributed 866,297 copies, and in addition, 185,304 copies have been

sold by the Superintendent of Documents.

In the list of other publications of which more than 100,000 copies

have been sold are the Public Health Service pamphlets, Wonderful

Story of Life—A Mother's Talk with Her Daughter and A Father's

Talk with His Son; an Agriculture Department report on Chemical
Annual Beport of the Public Printer 39

Composition of American Food Materials; a pocket edition of the

Constitution of the United States ; and The Story of the Declaration

of Independence, of which 300 copies were also printed for each

Senator and 150 copies for each Representative for free distribution.

FARM BOARD AN ACTIVE PUBLISHER

The Federal Farm Board has also developed rapidly into an

active publisher with the printing of 2,767,754 copies of its bulletins

and circulars in 1931 and 924,620 copies in the preceding fiscal year. Of these publications, 1,607,353 copies were distributed by the Superintendent of Documents during 1931 on order of the Farm Board.

The series of Farm Board bulletins include the following titles, " Fruit and Vegetables—Guide for Setting Up Local Cooperative

Marketing Associations," " Practical Experiences in Feeding Wheat,"

" Farmers Build Their Marketing Machinery," " Outlook for American Cotton," and " Grain—A Guide for Organizing Local Cooperative Marketing Associations." One of its circulars, of which the

Farm Board issued 200,000 copies, was entitled " Grow Less, Get

More—Millions of Dollars and Hours of Work are Lost in Overproduction—Size of the Crop Depends Largely on Acreage Farmers

Plant."

Prohibition is another subject for many Government publications.

While under the Treasury Department, the Prohibition Unit issued

approximately 770,000 copies of various prohibition law enforcement

publications. Since its transfer to the Department of Justice, the

Prohibition Unit has issued 451,875 copies of the following publications : " The Value of Law Observance," " State Cooperation," and

"Alcohol, Hygiene, and the Public Schools."

DOCUMENTS FOR DEPOSITORY LIBRARIES

Government publications sent by the Superintendent of Documents

to 498 designated depository libraries during the fiscal year 1931

totaled 1,966,469 copies, an increase of 31,310 over the preceding year

and 545,542 more than were distributed to libraries in 1921.

It is worthy of consideration to note that during the fiscal year

1931, the depository libraries returned to the Superintendent of

Documents 1,199,979 Government publications which evidently were no longer of service to their readers. Many of these discarded publications had been arbitrarily sent to the libraries prior to the legislation of 1922 which now permits depository libraries to make advance

selections of Government publications desired to meet their respective needs. Unfortunately, however, there is also a gross waste in

the present system of distribution to libraries.
40 Annual Report of the Public Printer

During the last 10 years, 5,925,499 Government publications have

been returned to the Superintendent of Documents by depository

libraries throughout the United States. The great bulk of these

discarded books are either obsolete or otherwise useless for further

library service.

DEFECTS IN DISTRIBUTION TO LIBRARIES

Plans to remedy the present defects in the library distribution of

Government publications have been discussed at several meetings

of the public documents round table of the American Library Association, and special bills proposing changes in the method of

designating depository libraries have been introduced in Congress;

but, as yet, no suggestion appears to have sufficient merit to bring

about remedial legislation.

Following renewed interest in the subject at the New Haven round

table of the American Library Association, which the Superintendent

of Documents addressed in June, 1931, the following resolution was

adopted, and there the matter rests to date

Voted, that the executive board instruct the committee on public documents to confer with other learned societies and organizations, such as the Social Science

Research Council, American Council of Learned Societies, American Association

of University Professors, etc., for the purpose of making a study of depositories

for public documents.

QUESTIONS BY SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS

In this connection, the Superintendent of Documents suggests the

following questions for consideration before any further legislation

relating to depository libraries is enacted by Congress

1. Should the number of libraries be increased?

2. Should provisions be made for the same classes of special depositories as now provided by law such as the following : All State libraries ; all Territorial

libraries ; libraries of the executive departments in Washington, D. C. ; the li- braries of the United States Military and Naval Academies ; Alaska Historical Society Museum Library, Juneau, Alaska ; the library of the Philippine Govern- ment ; American Antiquarian Society Library, Worcester, Mass. ; the libraries of

the land-grant colleges?

3. Shall the Superintendent of Documents act independently in designation of

libraries or should the responsibility for the selection and designation be placed upon Members of Congress, as now, or upon the State library commission or some other authorized body of the State?

4. Should the law specify the character of library eligible for designation, such

as public, school, college, university, etc., or arrange for class of libraries to be

determined by regulations?

5. Should the law include specific requirements for designation or should this be handled by regulations?
Annual Report of the Public Printer 41

6. If class of library determined on as eligible for a depository does not include

all that are now on the list, should the law provide for their being continued as a depository?

7. Should the law prescribe how the libraries are to be apportioned among the various States and Territories?

8. Should the distribution be on a population or a geographical basis?

9. Should Congress be asked to provide funds for the investigation of libraries by an agency of the Government, or should such investigation to determine their

fitness or whether their publications are available for free, public use be left to some State organization?

TREMENDOUS WASTE OF PUBLICATIONS

Libraries are not the only places from whence come the avalanche

of obsolete and unserviceable publications which have to be disposed

of as waste paper to make room for the incoming millions of newer

publications that fill to overflowing the 100,000 square feet of stor- age space in the Government Printing Office. During the last 10

years, 10,503,405 copies of publications ordered by the various departments and establishments of the Government for official use or free

distribution have failed of that purpose and have been sold as waste

paper. In the same period, 7,470,935 copies of publications available

for sale by the Superintendent of Documents have likewise become

obsolete or otherwise unsalable.

These useless publications, mostly pamphlets, added to the

5,925,499 returned by depository libraries, make the total waste of

publications recorded by the Government Printing Office during the

last 10 years amount to 23,899,839 copies, the printing and handling

of which cost the Government much more than a million dollars. DISTRIBUTION BY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

In addition, there has been a great waste in the thousands of

publications annually allotted to Members of Congress regardless of

the special needs of their respective States or districts. A number

of years ago, the Senate and House folding rooms sold as waste

paper approximately 2,000,000 publications that had never been

removed from their wrappers. Undoubtedly, tons of other useless publications are now stored in and about the Capitol.

Several plans have been proposed in Congress from time to time

to stop this waste over which the Government Printing Office has no

control. One suggestion, which received favorable consideration in

first one House and then the other during different Congresses but

failed of further action, was the so-called " valuation plan," based on an ascertainment that the reprint value of publications, exclusive of
42 Annual Report of the Public Printer

the Congressional Record, then allotted to Senators was approximately $2,200 and to Representatives $1,800 annually. The bill proposed to allot such sums as book credits for the ordering of publications of special interest to the respective constituents of Members

of Congress in lieu of the prevailing quota system of distribution.

The reprint value of congressional quotas of publications, which

now consist principally of Agricultural Yearbooks and departmental

reports, was reduced somewhat several years ago by discontinuing

the quotas of certain publications of the Geological Survey, the Bureau of Fisheries, the Naval Observatory, the Bureau of Ethnology,

and the National Academy of Sciences which were deemed to be of

little use for congressional distribution.

EXCHANGE OF DOCUMENTS PROPOSED

A subsequent plan to improve congressional distribution, which

failed to get beyond the introductory stage, proposed to continue the

present allotments but authorized Members to exchange their quotas

for other Government publications of equal value which they could

obtain from the Superintendent of Documents. It was estimated

that this exchange system would not increase the cost of congressional printing and would reduce the present waste of publications

in the folding rooms of Congress and in the stock of the Superintendent of Documents. Notices of proposed exchange were required

in advance of printing the regular allotments to prevent an excess of the quota publications.

The exchange system, as proposed, left it optional with a Member

of Congress whether his publications were to be distributed through

the folding rooms of Congress or by the Superintendent of Documents.

LIMITED EXCHANGE WITH MEMBERS

To a limited extent, the Superintendent of Documents has accom- modated Members of Congress for a number of years by exchange

of publications of mutual service, but this arrangement has necessarily been quite restricted, as comparatively few of the publications allotted to Members of Congress are of any sales value to the

Superintendent of Documents. During the past year there were

767 such exchange transactions with Members of Congress, the publications involved representing a book credit of $2,828.49 available

only in trade for other Government publications.

Another and more effective remedy for the great waste of Government publications would be the abolishment of free distribution by
Annual Report of the Public Printer 43

Congress and the departments in lieu of which there would be an

extension of sales by the Superintendent of Documents. Even in

competition with the extensive free distribution of many Government publications, the sales are constantly increasing, amounting

last year to more than $700,000. Undoubtedly, if free copies were

not to be had, the sales would soon double or triple that sum to the

benefit of the public Treasury and the corresponding relief of Government expenditures for printing and binding.

Inasmuch as the selling price of Government publications does not include the cost of the composition paid by the ordering offices, the charge to the individual purchaser is only sufficient to assure

his proper interest in the publication and thus prevent the present

great waste through free distribution.

LEGISLATIOX XEEDED TO PROMOTE SALES

Legislation to stimulate further the sale of Government publications and to aid the Superintendent of Documents in the disposal of

his vast stock of Government publications was proposed by the Public

Printer in his annual report for 1929 and has also been recommended

by the Permanent Conference on Printing, an agency of the Bureau

of the Budget.

The suggested legislation authorizes the Public Printer to encour- age the sale of Government publications by allowing dealers a trade

discount so as to remunerate them for their expenses in this added

service to the public, and yet requires them to adhere to the sale prices

fixed upon by the Superintendent of Documents. This is a method

by which several foreign governments permit extensive sales of their

publications by book dealers. In fact, no foreign government in- dulges to any extent in the free distribution of its publications. FIELD OFFICEES TO ACT AS SALES AGENTS

The sales plan proposed by the Public Printer also provides that

the Superintendent of Documents may designate any Government

officer as his agent for the sale of Government publications, as agreed

upon by the Public Printer and the head of the respective department or establishment of the Government. Thus, if agreeable to the

heads of other departments, a large number of Government representatives throughout the United States, such as postmasters and field

officers of the several departments, especially those of Agriculture,

Commerce, and Labor, could receive orders and payments for Government publications and thereby greatly facilitate their delivery to the public.
44 Annual Eeport of the Public Printer

Lacking funds for advertising the sale of Government publications, the Superintendent of Documents could thus be provided with

other means to market his stock of publications through private

dealers and Government agents.

At the present time the only opportunities to acquaint the public

with the publications available for sale by the Superintendent of

Documents are by occasional notices in Government periodicals,

price quotations in the respective publications, and the distribution

of price lists, o'f which 1,051,829 copies were issued during the past

year. SALES INCREASED BY RECENT CRITICISMS

Sometimes newspaper comments, whether favorable or unfavorable, help stimulate the sales of Government publications. For

instance, a recent article in a Chicago newspaper concerning the

multitude of Government publications, some of which were criticized as "horrible examples of extravagance," resulted in a number of

orders for those publications. One cash customer wrote that the

newspaper article was the first information he had that the Government was issuing publications of particular interest to him.

With additional agencies established throughout the country for

the sale of Government publications, the income from this source would undoubtedly be greatly increased and the present waste of

unused publications largely prevented, thereby turning long-continued losses into permanent future profits and materially reducing

the cost to the Government of its necessary printing.

DOCUMENTS DIVISION IN NEW LOCATION

With the additional space and facilities made available by the

completion of the G Street extension, the Documents Division is in

better condition than ever for handling the increasing sales of

Government publications. The administrative, financial, reference,

bookkeeping, procurement, stock recording, and correspondence sec- tions, consisting of 153 employees, occupy the entire sixth floor of

the new extension, which has been completely equipped with metal

desks, chairs, and filing cases of substantial design.

The addressing, wrapping, and mailing-list sections have been

moved from the old building into more suitable quarters formerly

occupied by the clerical sections in the H Street Documents building.

Better space has also been provided in the old building for the re- ceiving and shipping sections, including the special unit for the

distribution of Farmers' Bulletins and current publications. This
Annual Report of the Public Printer 45

part of the work requires the services of 183 employees in addition to the above-mentioned clerical staff. The moving of other activities to the G Street extension has also provided 29,045 square feet of additional space in the old building

for storing the regular stock of more than 38,000,000 publications.

There is now available for that purpose approximately 100,000 square

feet of floor space, which has made possible a complete and muchneeded rearrangement of the stock and more careful storing of the

publications.

NEW SALESROOM FOR PUBLICATIONS

Another improvement is the well-equipped and conveniently lo- cated public salesroom on the first floor of the new extension at 45 G

Street NW. The salesroom is connected with the stock rooms by an

automatic elevator and belt conveyor 270 feet in length, running to the fifth floor of the old H Street building. By means of this con- veyor, publications can be delivered to the salesroom in less than five minutes.

The salesroom is attractively furnished with display cabinets and

tables, and has several bookstacks for storing more active sales stock. The salesroom is open to the public from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m. each

week day and already has a daily average of nearly 100 patrons.

It is serving also as a bureau of information of Government publications and activities. CATALOGUING AND LIBRARY SECTIONS

Another major activity under the direction of the Superintendent

of Documents is the cataloguing and listing of all Government publications, in connection with which there is maintained the largest

and most complete library of Government publications. An inventory as of July, 1931, shows that this library contained 495,723

Government publications and 35,781 maps, making a total of 531,504

entries, all of which are carefully safeguarded in metal bookstacks

in a fireproof building.

The bookstacks occupy 3,990 square feet of space on the seventh

floor of the new G Street extension, where also are located 36 employees of the catalogue and library sections. The stacks are built

in two tiers, with a deck of white marble supported by structural

steel framing. There are in each tier 20 rows of 2-faced stacks with

10-inch shelves, and at each end a row of single-faced stacks with

18-inch shelves. The two tiers contain 4,690 three-foot shelves and

are sufficient to store Government publications for many years to come.
46 Annual Report of the Public Printer

In the last eight years five great catalogues of all the publications

issued by the Government during the periods of the Sixty-fourth to Sixty-eighth Congresses, inclusive (1917-1925), have been completed

by the expert cataloguers in the office of the Superintendent of

Documents. The Document Catalogue for the Sixty-ninth Congress

(1927-1929) is now being printed, and the compilation of the cata- logue for the Seventieth Congress (1929-1931) will be completed

about July 1, 1932, which will then make current, for the first time

in 20 years, this stupendous task of cataloguing.

STATUS OF THE DOCUMENT CATALOGUES

If the present schedule, which the Public Printer has insisted upon,

is adhered to in the future, the Document Catalogue for the preceding Congress will be printed during the first session of each

succeeding Congress; thus, the catalogue for the Seventy-first Congress will be completed before time to assemble cards for printing

the catalogue of the Seventy-second Congress.

The following record shows the size and status of the Document

Catalogues compiled in the last 10 years

Sixty-fourth Congress, 2,429 pages, 56,500 cards; printed January, 1923.

Sixty-fifth Congress, 2,706 pages, 60,317 cards; printed September, 1926. Sixty-sixth Congress, 2,422 pages, 53,810 cards; printed November, 1929. Sixty-seventh Congress, 2,403 pages, 52,955 cards ; printed January, 1931. Sixty-eighth Congress, 2,303 pages, 51,732 cards; printed August, 1931. Sixty-ninth Congress, 53,899 cards ; printing in progress. Seventieth Congress, preparation of cards in progress.

Seventy-first Congress, in progress. With the completion of the Document Catalogue for the Seventyfirst Congress, the set of catalogues listing all Government publications from 1774 to 1931 will consist of 23 royal octavo volumes con- taining approximately 38,900 pages.

SESSION IKDEX AND WEEKLY LIST The consolidated index of the documents and reports for the

third session of the Seventy-first Congress was printed prior to the

opening of the present session.

A Weekly List of United States Government Publications is also

issued by the Superintendent of Documents to furnish current information to libraries and others interested in Government publications.

The Weekly List was established by the Public Printer in 1928 in

response to urgent requests from libraries throughout the United

States. It is also of great service in promoting the sale of publications. An edition of 10,000 copies is distributed weekly.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 47

TESTS AND TECHNICAL CONTROL

The Division of Tests and Technical Control is now occupying its new quarters in the G Street extension to the main building, where

the entire fifth floor, with 14,715 square feet of space, has been

especially equipped for the extensive laboratory and the ink, pressroller, and glue sections. Ample rooms are also provided for offices, library, files, conferences, and research associates. Including the ink,

roller, glue, and metal sections, the Technical Division has 40

employees on its rolls. Following is a description of the equipment in the various rooms

of the Technical Division

In the microscopical laboratory the equipment was designed for the

microscopical analysis of paper and similar products. There are two

sets of projection apparatus by which paper fibers may be studied

without eyestrain. Two binocular microscopes are used for comparative work. A stone-top table equipped with 500-watt daylight

lamp is used for comparison of color and examination for dirt of

deliveries of paper. One laboratory table is used in making the

stains for analytical work.

PHOTOMICROGRAPH ROOM IN LABORATORY

In the photomicrograph room is kept the micrometallurgical equipment. This room is also used as a dark room. The equipment

includes both inverted microscope for metallurgical work and the

usual type of microscope for the examination of transparent material. These two microscopes are interchangeable on the optical bench

of the photomicrograph equipment.

In the paper chemical laboratory are two Cornell-type hoods, two

12-foot double laboratory tables and storage cabinets in addition to balance table, electric muffle, drying oven, paper grinder, and other

chemical equipment. Paper, textiles, and other materials, the chemical analyses of which are affected by the presence of appreciable

amounts of acid and alkali in the atmosphere, are analyzed in this room. Adjoining the paper chemical laboratory are two insulated rooms

in which the relative humidity and constant temperature are controlled within close limits. The control equipment is located in a small room between the two insulated rooms. Physical tests are made on paper and paper products in the large

humidity room, which measures 15 by 36 feet. Atmospheric conditions in this room are maintained at 70° F. and 50 per cent relative

82246—32 4
48 Annual Report of the Public Printer

humidity. The testing equipment consists principally of 7 foldingendurance testers, 5 bursting-strength testers, a tensile-strength

tester, a paper scale, and a paper surface tester. The atmospheric conditions in the smaller humidity room, which is 15 by 15 feet in size, are usually maintained at 70° F. and 65 per cent

relative humidity, the standard conditions for textile testing. The

equipment is designed to permit the maintenance of the relative humidity at any desired point between 40 and 65 per cent if desired for

any special tests. This room is completely equipped for making

physical tests on textiles used in the printing and binding industry.

LABORATORY FOR METAL ANALYSIS

The metal analysis laboratory contains two 12-foot laboratory

tables, storage cabinets, and two hoods. The latter are the usual

laboratory type as considerable acid is used in metal analysis. One

hood and one table are fitted up especially for routine type-metal

analyses. The other laboratory table and hood are used in testing

miscellaneous supplies. An electrolytic cabinet for the analysis of

nickel and copper and a balance table with two balances complete

the equipment of this room. A combined washroom and storage room for chemical glassware

adjoins the metal analysis laboratory.

The general research room is equipped with two 12-foot laboratory

tables, one hood, a number of storage cabinets, and a balance table. This room is designed for research work so that the apparatus need

not be disturbed for routine testing. The equipment consists of centrifuges, electric oven, fadeometer, proof press, balances, and a considerable amount of other physical and chemical testing apparatus.

EXPERIMENTAL ELECTROTYPING PLANT

One room adjoining the general research laboratory contains the

experimental electrptyping plant and another room is equipped with

gasoline, lubricant, and glue testing apparatus. The electrotyping

equipment consists of a generator for 500 amperes and 6 volts or 250

amperes and 12 volts, together with the necessary control panels, depositing tanks, and sinks for the study of electrotyping processes. Routine control of ink manufacture and part of the research work

on ink are conducted in a special room which also adjoins the general research laboratory. This room is equipped with a laboratory

table, storage cabinets, and apparatus used in testing ink-making materials. A small mill has been placed in the ink plant for use in

grinding experimental inks.
Annual Report of the Ptihlic Printer 49

All the new laboratory furniture, except that in the constant temperature and humidity rooms, is made of corrosion resistant enameled

steel with soapstone tops and sinks. All service wiring and piping is concealed. The office furniture is also metal.

The report of the Technical Director submitted herewith shows in

detail the work of the Division of Tests and Technical Control during the fiscal year 1931.

TESTS AND KEJECTIONS DURING TEAR

The routine tasks included the testing of 8,050 representative

samples of all materials purchased by the Government Printing

Office during the year, such as paper, envelopes, textiles, leathers,

metals, glues, inks, ink-making materials, oils, greases, gasoline, and

chemicals.

Rejections for noncompliance with Government specifications to- taled 425, an increase of 42 over the rejections in 1930, although there were 368 fewer inspection tests in 1931. Of the rejections, 334 were

of paper stock and 62 of envelopes. The rejection of envelopes was

unusually heavy, but was confined to a few large deliveries of unsatisfactory kraft stock. Special work was done by the Technical Division during the year on the determination of paper acidity, the deterioration of sulphite

papers, and studies of binders board, kraft paper, tabulating cards,

envelopes, glucose-glycol paste, bronze stamping leaf, electrotype

backing metals, stereotype metals, copper and nickel electrotype

methods and equipment, chromium plating, photo-engraving supplies, printing inks, press rollers, molded glues, detergents, and car- bon motor brushes. A special study was made of the relation of news ink and newsprint paper.

PRODUCTS OF INK-MAKING SECTION

The ink-making section produced 185,885 pounds of printing inks

during the fiscal year 1931, an increase of 7,628 pounds over the pre- ceding year. Included in this production was 45,739 pounds of

mimeograph ink, mostly for departmental use, an increase of 13,608

pounds for the year. Other products of the ink section during the year were 14,400

quarts of writing inks, an increase of 2,200 quarts, and 1,928 quarts

of ruling inks.

The roller and glue section made 2,698 press rollers, containing

20,987 pounds of composition, in the fiscal year 1931. The increase over the preceding year was 373 rollers, including 147 supplied to other departments of the Government.
50 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The section also manufactured 83,957 pounds of molded binderyglue and tablet composition, including 48,340 pounds of flexible glue.

The metal section, located on the seventh floor of the main building, corrected 8.074,000 pounds of linotype, monotype, stereotype,

and electrotype-backing metals during the year, a decrease of

662,000 pounds from the amount of metal corrected in 1930. The

corrections with antimony, tin, and lead alloys added 142,577 pounds

to the remelted metals. The loss due to drossing was 59,069 pounds^

making a net gain of 83,508 pounds in the total stock of metal. In

addition, 15,500 pounds of linotype and 200,000 pounds of electrotypebacking metals Avere obtained in commercial exchange for old elec- trotype plates.

In addition to producing inks and glues for its own use, the Government Printing Office manufactured approximately 50,000 pounds

of printing inks and 12,000 quarts of writing inks for use by various

other establishments of the Government. Approximately 15,000

pounds of glue, paste, and roller composition were supplied to other

branches of the Government service.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION

Other technical assistance was rendered to various departments and

establishments of the Government, and considerable cooperative work

was undertaken with the Bureau of Standards of the Department of

Commerce, and the Bureau of Chemistry and Soils of the Department

of Agriculture.

The Employing Bookbinders of America and the American Newspaper Publishers Association have continued their employment of

special research associates to assist in the study of problems of mutual

interest with the Technical Division of the Government Printing

Office. Several other organizations of the printing industry, including the United Typothetae of America, the International Association

of Electrotypers, and the Lithographic Technical Foundation, have

also maintained contact during the year through frequent conferences with the Technical Director.

OTHER ACTIVITIES OF TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

The extent of the activities of the Government Printing Office in

scientific research and standardization work relating to the various

branches of the printing industry is further shown by the following

committee memberships which have been added to the duties of the

Technical Director in connection with the regular work of the Government Printing Office

Paper specifications committee of the congressional Joint Committee m

Printing

Federal Specifications Board, United States Bureau of the Budget
Annual Report of the Public Printer 51

Pulp and paper committee, Printing Industries Division, American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Paper testing committee, and chairman of the subcommittee on ink resistance of printing papers, Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry

Advisory committee on lithograph papers for the Lithographic Technical

Foundation

Advisory committee on permanent papers for the National Research Council

and

Standards Council of the American Standards Association. Other helpful relations with trade and technical organizations are also maintained by the Public Printer who is an advisory associate of

the executive committee of the Printing Industries Division, Ameri- can Societ}^ of Mechanical Engineers: member of its survey and

research committee; member of the standardization committee of

the United TypothetiB of America; and honorary member of the

Printing Industries Research Association of Great Britain.

EMPLOYING BOOKBINDERS OF AMERICA

The research associate of the Employing Bookbinders of America,

Mr. F. R. Blayloch, in his report to the recent annual convention of

that organization, gave detailed information concerning the following work that is being done in cooperation with the Government

Printing Office:

Testing various materials used by the bookbinding industry, including binders' board, book cloths, pyroxylin products, leathers, glues, pastes, bronze leaf, end papers, cordage, sewing threads, etc.

Preparing formulas for glucose-glycol paste, flour paste, and leather pre- servatives ; Studying the durability of bookbinding leathers, leather substitutes, the

tarnish-resisting qualities of bronze leaf, and a method of preventing the " silverfish " or " slicker " bug from attacking books. MEMBERS RELYING UPON RESEARCH WORK

The research division of the Employing Bookbinders of America,

according to the report of its associate, " has come to be a clearing

house for technical information for this association." The report

also states: The members of the association are relying upon it more and more to solve problems connected with the industry. Firms outside the association are becoming interested in our work and are using the improvements that we have made

whenever they can be applied to their field. Various manufacturers of book- binding material have become interested in the work and have offered their assistance. In appreciation of the service rendered the bookbinding industry,

the following message was addressed to the Public Printer by Judge
52 Annual Report of the Public Printer

A. E. Ommen, counsel for the Employing Bookbinders of America,

under date of May 15, 1931

Executive committee, Employing Bookbinders of America, meeting at Statler Hotel, Buffalo, have asked me to convey to you tlieir sincere appreciation of the

fine spirit that has always been shown by you and those under you in so gen- erously aiding in every way solution of many problems of bookbinding industry.

Good progress has been made in the cooperative research work

with the Mechanical Department of the American Newspaper Publishers Association relating to type metals, news ink, and newsprint

paper. As stated by the general manager of the A. N. P. A., Mr.

L. B. Palmer, of Cleveland, in a report to the Los Angeles meeting of

the association on November 11, 1931

One of the staff of the mechanical department spends his entire time at the Government Printing OflEice at Washington cooperating with that office in the study of ink and paper problems, and this work has resulted in great economies.

KEPORT TO THE NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION

At the same meeting the manager of the A. N. P. A. Mechanical

Department, Mr. W. E. Wines, said in his report

I will touch briefly on the work at the Government Printing Office by saying

there has been practically nothing in print on the subject of type metals. Tw^o

or three years ago we started an investigation on the deterioration of type

metals, and w^e have issued several bulletins on that subject. I believe w^e have

issued almost the only and certainly the best information in print on the subject

of type metals. In our study of ink and paper, which is a much more complicated problem,, we are making progress, and two members who have taken advantage of this service and used some of the results obtained from that study have had good

results. One has been able, by checking his ink with the analysis of the laboratory at Washington and the results of the pressroom, to use an ink at a little lower price, which he reports is saving him about $4,500 a year. BETTER INK RESULTS FROM LABORATORY TESTS Another member changed his source of ink supply. He bought a carload. When the carload was used, he ordered another one. The pressman complained

the ink was not satisfactory. The superintendent didn't know whether the pressman was right or wrong, but fortunately he had saved a sample of the first shipment. He sent this sample to our man at Washington and the report came

back that the second shipment w^as not equal to the first. Then he took it up

with the ink manufacturer and, of course, the representative of the ink com- pany told him a fairy tale about this and that—maybe it was the heat, and the

ink was just the same ; there must be something wrong in the pressroom. This

member pulled out the report. There wasn't any going back on the report. The result was the ink company sent his man to Washington to check up with

our man and our member ordered a third car of ink. The pressman ceased to complain and the laboratory check-up showed the third carload was better than

the first, all at the same price.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 53

The following letter, dated October 14, 1931, from the superintendent of a large city newspaper, is also of interest in connection

with the foregoing statement about ink

Our records indicated that we were paying 10 per cent less for ink now than

prevailed a year ago, but that our cost per thousand 8-page papers was 5 per

cent greater due to less coverage of the present ink.

I called this situation to the attention of Mr. Wehmhoff and he furnished me with two draw outs of 1929 and 1931 inks which they had evidently kept on file there. It is quite apparent that our present ink is weak in color com- pared with the ink previously used and this is certainly strong evidence to place before the concern supplying us. In my opinion the Government Printing Office can be of great help to the

publishers if they will only take advantage of the services available there.

I am taking the liberty of sending a copy of this letter to Mr. Wehmhoff to

let him know we appreciate the cooperation he is giving us. NEWSPAPER MECHANICAL CONFERENCE

In furtherance of the cooperation between the American Newspaper Publishers Association and the Government Printing Office,

the Fifth Mechanical Conference of that association was held in

Harding Hall of the Government Printing Office on June 1, 2, and 3, 1931. This meeting was attended by about 200 mechanical superintendents of newspapers representing TO cities in 25 states. Besides

attending the conference programs, the visitors spent considerable

time inspecting the Government Printing Office and observing especially the work of the Technical Division and its laboratory.

The opening discussion of the conference under the chairmanship

of Mr. W. E. Wines, manager of the A. N. P. A. Mechanical Department, was the presentation by the Technical Director of the Government Printing Office, Mr. B. L. Wehmhoff, of a progress report on

the study of news ink and newsprint by the Division of Tests and

Technical Control and the research associate of the A. N. P. A.,

Mr. D. H. Boyce. Mr. D. P. Clark, associate chemist. Government

Printing Office, also assisted in the preparation of this report.

REPORT ON NEWS INK AND NEWSPRINT

The report on news ink and newsprint covered the following

points intended to aid in the production of better newspaper printing: Strike through, show through, flying ink, offset, toners, oil stains, carbon black versus lampblack, grinding of news ink, surface

tension measurements, factors influencing printing qualities of news

ink, effect of varying percentage of sulphite pulp in newsprint, and

methods of analysis of news ink.
54 Annual Report of the Public Printer

For study in preparing the report on the effect of varying the percentage of sulphite pulp, the Bureau of Standards produced on its experimental paper-making machine several rolls of newsprint con- taining 20, 40, and 60 per cent of unbleached sulphite, and 20, 40, and

60 per cent of bleached sulphite with ground-wood remainders, and

sample rolls of 100 per cent ground-wood paper. No rosin size was

used, but 10 pounds of alum per ton of pulp was added.

TESTS OF EXPERIMENTAL NEWSPRINT

The following conclusions were drawn from the physical tests on

these samples

1. Increase in the percentage of sulphite pulp increases the tensile and burst- ing strength of newsprint, but bleached sulphite does not increase the strength

to the same extent as unbleached sulphite pulp.

2. Increase in the percentage of sulphite pulp apparently increases the basis weight for a given thickness.

3. Increase in the percentage of sulphite pulp decreases the ash content of the paper, although the ash content is higher when bleached pulp is used than

is the case if unbleached pulp is used.

4. The opacity of paper decreases as the percentage of sulphite pulp increases. Ground-wood pulp is most opaque, unbleached sulphite next, and bleached sul- phite most transparent.

5. The gloss of the paper increases slightly with the increase in percentage

of sulphite pulp. Bleached sulphite yields a lower gloss than corresponding

amounts of unbleached sulphite pulp.

The report also stated that 14 samples of news ink and 38 samples

of newsprint paper were received from members of the association

for special tests during the year and that 53 samples of ink were made in the laboratory for research purposes.

PAPERS DISCUSSED AT CONFERENCE

Other papers presented and discussed were

Newspaper Composing Room Operations and Cost, by Mr. T. F. McPherson, newspaper analyst and economist. The chairman of this

session was Mr. Arthur H. Burns, mechanical superintendent, New

York Herald-Tribune.

Problems of Dry Mat Manufacture, by Mr. Jackson Townsend,

president Wood Flong Corporation. The chairman of this session was Mr. John W. Park, production manager, Chicago Tribune.

Pressroom Topics. The chairman of this session was Mr. Timothy

P. Beacom, general mechanical superintendent, Hearst newspapers.

Photo-engraving and Miscellaneous Topics. The chairman of this

session was Mr. Frederick H. Keefe, publisher Newburgh News.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 55

Work of the Joint Committee on Newspaper Printing, by Mr.

F. H. Keefe, Newburgh News, chairman of the joint committee, and

Mr. F. R. Gamble, executive secretary of the American Association

of Advertising Agencies. The chairman of this session, Mr. Rudolph

E. Lent, business manager Jersey Journal, stated

Mr. Wines, the manager of the A. N. P. A. Mechanical Department, is entitled

to credit for the way in which he has enlisted the cooperation of the Govern- ment Printing Office and the Bureau of Standards in meeting and solving the problems we are here to discuss. In approving the work of the joint committee, the conference

adopted the following resolutions

Resolved, That the A. N. P. A. Mechanical Department considers the continu- ance of its efforts along the lines which have resulted in marked improvement

in newspaper printing to be one of its important functions; and therefore, as another means of further improving newspaper printing conditions, it favors the use of electrotypes in preference to mats in newspaper advertising production

and also favors, when mats are utilized instead of electrotypes, the use of mats

produced under wet-mat manufacturing conditions. Resolved, That the Mechanical Conference of the American Newspaper Publishers Association favors and recommends the adoption of 0.105 inch as the standard of thickness for advertising electrotype plates for black and white

printing ; and further recommends that electrotypes for advertising in colors be made to a thickness of 0,154 inch. MECHANICAL CONFERENCE IS COMMENDED

In commending editorially the A. N. P. A. Mechanical Conference

at the Government Printing Office, the Editor & Publisher (New

York) stated:

Progress that is undoubtedly being made toward discrimination in the choice

of materials and in the technical education of operators is in large measure due

to the mechanical department of the A. N. P. A. In its comparatively brief existence it has sought and obtained much information absolutely free from the commercial bias which had marked practically all of the technical data of earlier days. * * * Its research in conjunction with the great Government

Printing Office has given a far wider base for investigation of materials and

technique than could be attained in the best newspaper plant. Its findings have

concentrated attention of paper mills and publishers alike on many neglected

phases of newsprint manufacture and use. * *

* The comparatively few manufacturing industries which pool their mechanical

department information and intelligence have expanded rather than limited this

activity, even in times of depression—evidence that its cost is returned, and

more, in dividends. That the publishing industry can do likewise is also evi- denced by the very tangible results that have been achieved during the short, and so far largely experimental career of the A. N. P. A. mechanical depart- ment. It is no rash prophecy that an important future lies before this phase of cooperative publishing efforts.
56 Annual Report of the Public Printer

PRINTING INDUSTRIES CONFERENCE

Another Government Printing Office conference of nation-wide and

international interest was the gathering in Harding Hall on March

16 and IT of several hundred technical experts in the printing

industry under the sponsorship of the Printing Industries Division

of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, with the United

Tj^Dothetse of America and the Government Printing Office as joint

hosts. The registration list shows the attendance of 374 printing experts

and engineers from all parts of the United States and Canada. Many

other participants failed to register. There was no restriction on at- tendance, all interested being invited to participate in the discussions.

All of the formal sessions were held in the auditorium of the Government Printing Office, where also a number of group conferences on standardization projects were held in rooms specially provided for

that purpose. The entire eighth floor of the new extension was suit- ably arranged and decorated as an exhibition hall for the large

display and demonstration by manufacturers of printing equipment

of special interest to the conference.

One evening a dinner meeting was held in Harding Hall with Mr.

L. W. Wallace, executive secretary American Engineering Council,

as toastmaster. CHAIRMAN STATES CONFERENCE PURPOSE

The opening session of the conference was presided over by its directing chairman, Mr. Edward Pierce Hulse, of New York, chairman of the Printing Industries Division of the A. S. M. E., who

stated its purpose in part, as follows

This is the second time that the technical experts of the printing industry,

representing all of the organizations and associations in the industry, have met

in conference. These are the key men on whom rests the responsibility of manufacturing and of keeping in successful operation the machinery and equipment of the industry and of counseling on methods for the industry. At the first conference, held over a year ago in Pittsburgh, the talk was all on

research—the papers were all on the need for developing research in the printing industry. The leading experts from great plants in other countries were

there; we heard from our own distinguished leaders in the newspaper, magazine, and general printing fields ; all branches of the industry were covered, as

lithography, photo-engraving, electrotyping and stereotyping, bookbinding, ink making, paper making, metal making, etc. The need for the research that has

been found so valuable in other industries was fully discussed. This second conference will hear of some of the results of research—of some

of the processes and machines that have resulted or that have been further de- veloped in the year from the application of research. In any manufacturing plant there are three factors that are highly important—equipment, management, and technical knowledge.
Annual Eeport of the Public Printer 57

Research is the gateway through which all problems should be approached,

and we in this second conference are to hear some of the recent results of

research. This is a mechanical age and it also is becoming a chemical age. The owner and the operator of a printing plant must know nowadays the chemistry of the business, as well as the mechanics. To-day's practice needs more rapid vehicles for its dissemination, such as are found in the technical meeting and the technical journal—in meetings such as this, with the information in these valuable addresses published and distributed through the medium

of the trade publications. Technical meetings and technical addresses are

valuable, but if all this information can be got over the fence of the association or society meeting and spread to the industry, its value is multiplied a hundredfold.

It is pleasing to see so many here—representatives of all of the great

branches of the industry. It is the interest in such movements as this, with the promise of helpfulness to the industry, that is going to open the gateway to prosperity and aid in putting this great industry in its proper place among the great and prosi)erous industries of the Nation. PEZSEXTATIOX OF COXrEEEXCE CHAIRMEN

Following the address of Mr. Hulse came the introduction of the

honorary chairmen of the conference

George H. Carter, the Public Printer of the United States, Washington. D. C. ; John J. Deviny. secretary the United Typothette of America, Washington. D. C. ; and

Prof. George A. Stetson, editor Mechanical Engineering, IS'ew York.

X. Y.

Then the work of the conference was briefly outlined by the general chairman, Mr. Alfred E. Hanson, Superintendent of Construction and Maintenance of the Goyernment Printing Office. He pre- sented the following yice chairmen, in charge of special actiyities as designated

William D. Hall, director Department of Production Management, United Typothetse of America, Washington, D. C. (in charge

of the four group conferences on standardization projects) ; Floyd E. Wilder, manufacturing director of Hearst publications,

chairman of the pangraphic committee, Printing Industries Diyision, A. S. M. E. (giying leadership to participation of the cooperating organizations) : B. L. Welmahoff, Technical Director, Goyernment Printing Office,

Washington, D. C. (in charge of inspection of the plant and

laboratory) ; and

William D. Skeen, yice president of the Cafeteria and Recreation

Association. Goyernment Printing Office, Washington, D. C. (in

charge of dinner and entertainment).
58 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The formal program was as follows

Monday MoRNirsG, March 16, 1931 Chairman, John Clyde Oswald, managing director New York Employing

Printers' Association, member of executive committee. Printing Industries Division, A. S. M. E., New York, N. Y. Presiding officer, William Clement Glass, U. P. M.-Kidder Press Co., member oi executive committee, Printing Industries Division, A. S. M. E., New York, N. Y. Air Conditions for Printing, by Willis H. Carrier, president American Society

of Heating and Ventilating Engineers, Newark, N. J. Prepared discussions on the engineering construction and operation of specific

machines or systems, by

Frederic F. Bahnson, the Bahnson Co., Winston-Salem, N. C. R. T. Williams, Carrier Engineering Corporation, New York, N. Y. B. Offen, B. OfCen & Co., Chicago, 111. R. H. Brown, Parks-Cramer Co., Boston, Mass.

G. A. D'Arcy, Rhode Island Humidifier & Ventilating Co., Boston, Mass.

Charles A. Segner, Vapo Systems, Chicago, 111. Marvin T. Barnum, the Wilcolator Co., Newark, N. J. Paper Pulp from Hybrid Poplars, a Reforestation Remedy, by Dr. Ralph

H. McKee, department of chemical engineering, Columbia University, New

York, N. Y. Discussion from the floor. 12.15 to 1 p. m. : Special demonstrations of exhibits of recent precision machines that have been further developed as the result of research—eighth

floor, G Street Extension.

1 p. m. : Luncheon in Cafeteria, eighth floor. 1 p. m. : Reserved table in Cafeteria for luncheon meeting of research and

survey committee. Printing Industries Division, A. S. M. E., Dr. Arthur C. Jewett, chairman. Members of the ways and means committee appointed hj

delegates to the first conference, at Pittsburgh, Pa., invited. Monday Afternoon, March 16, 1931 Chairman, Roy Mangum, executive editor Printing News, New York, N. Y. Presiding officer, Burt D. Stevens, first vice president the Miehle Printing Press & Manufacturing Co., Chicago, 111. ; member of executive committee,

Printing Industries Division, A. S. M. E. Pre Make-ready Methods and Machines, by J. W. Rockefeller, jr., engineer,

Edgar C. Ruwe Co., New York, N. Y. Prepared discussions on the engineering construction and operation of specific precision machines or systems aiding premake-ready, by: H. W. Hacker, president the Hacker Manufacturing Co., Chicago, 111. L. W. Claybourn, president the Claybourn Process Corporation, Milwaukee..

Wis.

R. O. Vandercook, R. O. Vandercook & Sons, Chicago, 111. William C. Huebner, president the Huebner-Bleistein Patents Corporation,,

Buffalo, N. Y. E. G. Schreibeis, Fuchs & Lang Co., New York, N. Y. Discussion from the floor. Paper and Ink Testing—Some Simple Tests and Their Application ; Some

Troubles and the Remedy, by Summerfleld Eney, jr., Champion Coated Paper

Co., Hamilton, Ohio. Discussion led by Samuel W. Addleman, Acme Printing

Ink Co., Chicago, 111. (designated by President C. R. Conquergood, of the National

Association of Printing Ink Makers).
Annual Report of the Public Printer 59

The Deep-Etch Offset-Plate Process of Doctors Bekk and Kaulen, by Max

Reichel, New York, N. Y. Discussion led by engineer of Swart & Trampusch,

New York, N. Y., American representatives.

Ink Drying by Ozone and the Ultraviolet Ray, by Robert A. Brown, Nashua

Gummed & Coated Paper Co., Nashua, N. H. Discussion.

2.15 p. m. : Inspection of the Government Printing Office, manufacturing

plant and the new research laboratory.

2.30 p. m. : Group conference on air-conditioning data for printing. Chair- man, Carl W, Davis, Mount Pleasant Press, Harrisburg, Pa. 5 to 6.30 p. m. : Special demonstrations of exhibits. 6.30 p. m. ; Dinner meeting, Harding Hall of the Government Printing Office. Toastmaster : L. W. Wallace, executive secretary, American Engineering

Council, Washington, D. C. Address : The Great Newspapers of Japan ; Their Circulations and Equipment, by Takeo Ohara, of Osaka Mainichi and Tokyo Nichi-Nichi. Tuesday Morning, March 17, 1931 Chairman, Edward Epstean, president, Photo-Engravers Board of Trade,

New York.

Presiding officer, Floyd E. Wilder, manufacturing director of Hearst publications ; chairman of committee on pangraphic cooperation, Printing Industries

Division, A. S. M. E., Nev^- York, N. Y. Electrotype Versus Stereotype Printing Plates, by William T. Timmons, presi- dent. Lead Mould Electrotype Foundry (Inc.) ; president of the Employing

Electrotypers and Stereotypers Association of New York City, New York, N. Y. The Mechanics of Photo-Engraving (including latest information concerning

the phototypesetting machine, " Cotex," of Dyonis Uher, of Budapest, Hungary), by William Gamble, F. R. P. S., F. O. S., editor of Penrose's Annual,

London. England.

Prepared discussion: The Fototypesetter, by G. F. Bagge, Cleveland, Ohio;

the Multicel Photocomposing Machine, by Parker Hart, New York, N. Y. Chromium Plating of Plates and Slugs, Their Life and the Advantages, by

George B. Drach, general manager, Jersey City Printing Co., and Dr. A. Weisburg. New York, N. Y. Discussion.

9.45 a. m. : Inspection of the Government Printing Office, manufacturing plant

and the new research laboratory.

10.30 a. m. : Group conference on the need for standardization of sizes, quality,

and permanence of paper (with results from the standards already agreed

upon). Chairman, Robert C. Fay, American Writing Paper Co.. Holyoke, Mass,

chairman of the standardization coD-imittee of the American Paper and Pulp

Association.

12.15 to 1 p. m. : Special demonstrations of exhibits. 1 p. m. : Luncheon in Cafeteria on eighth floor. Tuesday Afternoon, March 17, 1931 Chairman, W. D. Will, publisher, printing equipment engineer, Cleveland,

Ohio. Presiding officer : Walter E. Wines, manager of Mechanical Department,

American Newspaper Publishers Association, New York, N. Y. Measuring Color and the Use of the Spectrophotometer in Determining and

Matching Shades, by Dr. P. J. Mulder and Dr. Joseph Razek, physics department, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa. Discussions led by repre- sentative of General Electric Co., Schenectady, N. Y.
60 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The Renck Process, by Friedrich Sachs, representative of Heinrich Renck,

Germany. Discussion. Ink Misting, by Arthur Thompson, National Carbon Co., Philadelphia, Pa,

Discussion. The Effect of Rubber Rollers, by Bert Reed, superintendent of black press- room. The American, Boston, Mass. Discussion.

2.15 p. m. : Inspection of Government Printing OflSce manufacturing plant and

the new laboratory.

2.30 p. m. : Group conference on standardization of thickness of plates (engraving, electrotyping, stereotyping, offset) and patent bases and of cylinder diameters. Chairman, Joseph M. Farrell, the Blackman Co., New York, N. Y.

chairman of mechanical production committee of the American Association of Advertising Agencies. 3 p. m. : Group conference on establishing color standards for printing. Chair- man, Adolph Schuetz, president Sterling Engraving Co., New York, N. Y. ; presi- dent of the American Photo-Engravers Association.

5 to 6 p. m. : Demonstration of exhibits. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT GROUP CONFERENCES

The full conference did not take any definite action or make an}^

recommendations in regard to the subjects discussed at the formal

sessions, but several group conferences adopted resolutions and

motions which are included in this report for more general information to the printing industry.

The group conference on air-conditioning data for printing agreed

that the following specific subjects needed scientific investigation

1. The time factor of change in the reaction of paper to changes in humidity,

2. Tlie degree of humidity at which there is a practical elimination of static and the variation of this point with change in temperature.

3. Limiting factors in temperature and humidity control

(a) Factors involved in type of equipment.

(&) Factors in the plant itself, its construction and location.

4. Effect of air conditioning on

(a) Roller composition.

(&) Wood blocks,

(c) Ink drying.

CONFERENCE ON STANDARDIZATION OF PAPER

The group conference on the need for standardization of sizes,

quality, and permanence of paper included the following statement

in the record of its proceedings

The first item discussed was an additional standard size for bonds and ledgers

suggested by representatives of the Government Printing Office. Their contentions were that the majority of all business correspondence could go on letter- heads 8 by 10%, which would cut without waste from 21 by 32, the additional standard size they were suggesting. Representatives of the paper industry felt that the 8% by 11 letterhead has been accepted as the standard for a number

of years and were of the opinion that the Government Printing Office and rail- roads should conform to this size. Considerable discussion followed and resulted in the following resolution being

passed
Annual Report of the Public Printer 61

" Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that 21 by 32 and its double,

in bonds, ledgers, and writings, be recommended to the standing committee as an addition to Simplified Practice Recommendation No. 22." Discussion then followed on the desirability of listing the standard sizes for other items of paper in the revised recommendation No. 22. The following motion was then passed

Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that the accepted sizes as out- lined below in the paper and printing industry for index bristols, cover papers, post card and rope bristols, blotting papers and cardboards, including translucents, be recommended to the standing committee as an addition to Simplified Practice Recommendation No. 22

1. Index bristols

221/0 X 24%.

221/^ X 28V2. 25V2 X 30%.

2. Cover papers: 20 X 23. 23 X 35. 26 X 40.

Post card and rope bristol

221/2 X 281/2. 281/2 X 45. Blotting papers

19 X 24. 24 X 38. Cardboards: 22 x 38. Translucents : 221/2 x 281/2. A general discussion then followed on the desirability of standardizing the

quality and permanence of paper, but as there was a wide variance of opinion,

and as the time for adjournment was at hand, no action was taken. STANDARD PLATES, BASES, AND CYLINDERS

The group conference on standardization of thickness of plates^

patent bases, and cylinder diameters considered the standards adopted

by the International Association of Electrotypers of America and

accepted by the American Newspaper Publishers Association, the

American Association of Advertising Agencies, and the United

Typothetse of America. While no formal action was taken indorsing the suggested standards, it was the consensus of opinion at the

conference that they should be adopted and followed in actual practice as far as possible.

The group conference on establishing color standards for printing

adopted the following motion in regard to the use of standard colors

of process inks

Feeling that the use of standard colors of process inks recommended by the American Institute of Graphic Arts had not been closely adhered to, it is recom- mended that action be taken to see that the standards formulated are recognized

by the industry. It is further recommended that all efforts of standardization be made with a view of maintaining high standards of quality in pictorial repro- duction and that the latter be not sacrificed to mechanical requirements.

The proceedings and papers of the Washington Conference of the

Printing Industries were subsequently printed and distributed by

the Government Printing Office to those interested. In forwarding

copies of the printed proceedings to the members of the Printing
62 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Industries Division of the A. S. M. E., Mr. E. P. Hulse, directing

chairman of the conference, wrote

The society, in behalf of the pTinting industries division and its members,

is extending its appreciation to the Government Printing Office and the Public Printer for their splendid work in not only publishing the papers and proceedings but also in furnishing the splendid facilities they put at our disposal for the conference. Dr. A. C. Jewett, director of the College of Industries, Carnegie

Institute of Technology, who succeeded Mr. Hulse as chairman of the

A. S. M. E., Printing Industries Division, also sent the following

letter to the Public Printer, under date of June 6, 1931

It was a very gracious thing for the Government Printing Ofl&ce to print the proceedings of the Second Technical Conference of the printing industry and

to distribute them as it has done. I very much appreciate receiving the copy which was sent to me. The conference could not have been as successful as it was under any other

setting. The representatives of the industry thus owe their gratitude to you,

personally, for this as well as many other services to the industry.

CONGRATULATED FOR CORDIAL HOSPITALITY

Prof. George A. Stetson, editor of Mechanical Engineering and

one of the honorary chairmen of the conference, likewise expressed

his thanks to the Public Printer in the following letter, dated June

12, 1931

The cooperation which the Government Printing OflQce, through your kindness,

extended to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in the meeting of its Printing Industries Division has been greatly appreciated, and the very practical assistance which you have given to the division by publishing the papers

presented at the conference has been a great help to the publications committee

of the society, for which I know it is deeply grateful. I have sent copies of the published papers to the members of the committee and have previously called

their attention to the very practical aid to their publication program that your

services have rendered.

I personally attended the conference and had an opportunity to judge of the very cordial hospitality that the Government Printing OflBce extended to those

participating in the conference. Those who had the arrangements in hand,

under the excellent chairmanship of Mr. Alfred E. Hanson of your oflSce, are to be congratulated upon the excellence of the conference and upon providing the proceedings and papers in such a convenient form. UNITED TYPOTHET^ KEEPS IN TOUCH

The United Typothetse of America maintains its headquarters in

Washington and through its departments of education and production management keeps in touch with the educational and research

work of the Government Printing Office. Concerning his part in these activities, Mr. Fred J. Hartman,

director, U. T. A. Department of Education, stated in his annual

report for 1931
Annual Report of the Public Printer 63

We have received a great deal of practical help from the Government Print- ing Office. Its technical laboratory has performed tests on a number of samples

submitted by our members, to determine their consistency, and is a very reliable iiuthority for source of supply of pointing materials. We are in quick touch with the source of supply of Government printed matter and can obtain any- thing that is published in a very few moments. The director of the U. T. A. Department of Production Management. Mr. William D. Hall, in his report to the 1931 convention of

the U. T. A., thus commended the cooperation of the Government

Printing Office

Through the courtesy of Hon, George H. Carter, Public Printer, we have at our disposal one of the most completely equipped testing and research laboratories in the country. Not only are we able to secure routine tests but the competent stalf of trained research and laboratory analysts under the supervision of Byron L. Wehmhoff, Technical Director, has been especially cooperative

in assisting us with inquiries requiring extensive and painstaking study and

research. The Public Printer has permitted us to go " backstage," as it were, so that we could become acquainted with his department heads. These friendly rela- tionships have enabled us to tap that vast fund of experience which these executives have acquired concerning the machines, processes, and materials

peculiar to their respective departments.

* * « « « « « In summarizing these remarks about our two years in Washington, I can say that these personal contacts have not only provided our office with considerable

technical data and the experience of many practical executives but have given us the benefits of extensive research and experimental effort. RESEARCH WORK IN OTHER COUNTRIES

The Public Printer, accompanied by the Technical Director, made a detailed study last summer of the progress of technical research by

the printing and related industries in England, France, Germany,

and Holland, where the work of the United States Government Printing Office is well known and highly commended.

In England, the subject of cooperative research work and other

problems of mutual interest were discussed with the newly organized

Printing Industry Eesearch Association of Great Britain, the British

Federation of Master Printers, the London Master Bookbinders Association, the British Leather Manufacturers Eesearch Association, His

Majesty's Stationery Office, the Public Record Office, the London

School of Printing, the Oxford University Press, members of the

British Library Association, and individual representatives of various

branches of the British printing, leather, and paper industries.

BRITISH PRINTING RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

Shortly after the organization of the Printing Industry Research

Association in London, the Public Printer received the following let- ter from its honorary secretary, Mr. J. R. Riddell, inviting him to 82246—32 5
64 Annual Report of the Piiblic Printer

become the first honorary member of this association, a privilege

which was accepted with great pleasure, not as a personal tribute,

but as an expression of appreciation of the research service which the

United States Government Printing Office is rendering to the printing industry

The Printing Industry Research Association,

Stationers' Hall, Ludgate Hill,

London, E. C. 4, January 22, 1931. The Hon. George H. Carter,

Pul)Uo Printer, Goveniment Printing' Office, Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Carter: At the fully attended first annual general meeting of the Printing Industry Research Association held at Stationers' Hall to-day, it was

unanimously resolved to invite you to become the first honorary member of the

association.

It is felt that your unselfish and valuable work in connection with the printing industry not only in your own country but throughout the world marks

you as an outstanding personality in the great industry with which this asso- ciation is connected ; therefore the P. I. R. A. will feel greatly honoured if you

will agree to have your name placed upon our honorary membership roll. It is also resolved to place on record your valuable assistance to us in the for- mation of this association, which it is felt, will become of great service to the

printing industry within the British Empire.

This confirms the cable sent to-day.

With kindest regards, Yours faithfully,

J. R. Riddell, Honorary Secretary.

In a recent lecture at Stationer's Hall in London on What

Kesearch Is Doing for the Printing Industry," Dr. George L. Riddell,

technical director of the P. I. R. A., reviewed the research work

started by the United States Government Printing Office in 1922. which has since been undertaken by associations established in England and Germany and is planned for the new state printing office of Soviet Russia when completed in 1934.

UNITED STATES LEADERSHIP RECOGNIZED

The American Printer (New York) in its December, 1931, issue

contained the following item concerning Doctor Riddell's statement

Dr. G. L. Riddell, Technical Director of the Printing Industry Research Association, gave credit for initiating research on behalf of the printing industry to the United States Government Printing Office, in a talk he made before a recent meeting of the Association of Master Printers of West and Northwest London.

It was in 1922, he said, that the United States Public Printer, George H.

Carter, instituted the department of tests to test all raw materials consumed in the Government Printing Office. The work has since been developed and now

includes also the research associates scheme, whereby one particular section of

the industry may put one or two men into the Government laboratory, paying:

their salaries, while the Government supplies all materials for tests.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 65

Reference to the Public Printer's conference with the London

Master Bookbinders Association is contained in the following letter from J. M. Dent & Sons, of the Temple Press, LetchAvorth, Herts,

England

We have to thank you for a copy of the Annual Report of the Public Printer

for 1930, the subject matter of which is of very great interest to us. It is satis- factory to learn that your Government gives such powerful assistance and

encouragement to printers to improve their methods and maintain a high

standard of quality in the craft. We have very pleasant recollections of your visit, sir, to the Master

Bookbinders' Association in England, and the excellent advice you were able to give us on that occasion in respect to methods of glue testing and other practical matters. GERMANY ORGANIZES RESEARCH INSTITUTE

In Germany, the Public Printer and the Technical Director effected a cooperative working basis with the recently organized Research

Institute for the Printing and Allied Industries (Forschungsinstitut

fiir das Graphische Gewerbe), which has been established as a branch

of the Technischen Hochschule in Berlin-Charlottenburg. The insti- tute will have available for its technical research work the wellequipped laboratory of the faculty of materials in the Berlin-Charlottenburg school under the direction of Doctor Lehmann, a noted

research authority.

The founders of the German institute were the Ministry of Education, Art, and Science, the Berlin-Charlottenburg Technical School,

and an association of the following organizations of the printing

and allied industries in Germany: Federation of German Master

Printers, Federation of Master Process Engravers, Copper Plate

and Photogravure Printers of Germany, Federation of German

Offset and Lithographic Master Printers, Association of Berlin

Master Printers, Society of the German Printing Trade, Federation

of German Newspaper Publishers, Federation of German Master

Bookbinders, and the Society of Stationery Manufacturers.

The director of the German Government Printing Office (Deutscher

Reichsdruckerei), Mr. Helmberger, who made one of the principal

addresses at the Pittsburgh technical conference in 1930, participated

in the founding of the German institute, the by-laws of which were

sanctioned by the German Government ministry.

PROGRAM FOR GERMAN PRINTING RESEARCH

The following program has been prepared for the German insti- tute : To examine inventions as well as new printing process methods

to investigate and test new machines; to train labor for practical

work on a scientific basis; to publish the results of research work;:

and to create a center for technical and patent literature.
66 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Other helpful sources of information consulted in Germany were the

International Bureau of the Federations of Master Printers, which is located in Berlin for the time being ; the German Federation of Master

Printers (Deutscher Buchdrucker-Verein) ; the Government Testing

Research Laboratories (Staatlichen Materialprilfungsamt), BerlinDahlem; the German Standards Association (Normenausschuss fur

das Graphische Gewerbe) ; the German Association for Industrial

Material Testing (Deutscher Verband fiir die Materialpriifungen der

Technik) ; the German Society of Mechanical Engineers (Verein

Deutscher Ingenieure) ; the Amerika-Institut at Berlin; the Masters'

School of Graphic Arts at Leipzig; and the Bavarian School of

Printing at Munich.

VISIT WITH FRENCH MASTER PRINTERS

Cordial relations were also established with the Association of

Master Printers of France (Union Syndicale des Maitres-Imprimeurs

de France) by a conference with its director, M. Francois Leydier, to which the following reference was made in the October number of

the " Bulletin Officiel " of that organization

Mr. Leydier gave the council an account of the visit to the union made on

July 10 by Hon. G. H. Carter, of Washington, Public Printer of the United

States Government Printing Office. Thanks to the presence of Mr. Marcel Didier, chief editor, who very kindly served as interpreter, a very complete exchange of ideas was had with Mr.

Carter. The interview dealt principally with the condition of printing in the United States and its relation to the Government Printing Office. Far from competing with private industry, the United States Government

Printing Office has extensive relations with it. The American Government

Printing Office has a scientific laboratory, the findings of w^hich redound to the benefit of the entire printing industry. The methods of work, the price

of production, etc., are there ascertained and the results furnished to private

industry. Mr. Carter expressed the hope that the French printers would utilize the

services of this establishment not only to solve their problems but also to offer their own suggestions.

The President recommended that his colleagues accept the invitation of the Public Printer of the United States Government Printing Office. The thanks of the union were extended him (Mr. Carter), both for his visit and the invitation extended by him.

FRENCH ASSOCIATION CONVEYS THANKS

Further interest in research work of the United States Government Printing Office was expressed by the president of the French

Association of Master Printers, M. Louis Danel, of Lille, in a recent

letter of thanks to the Public Printer for the information trans- mitted to the master printers' organization in France.

The following comments are quoted from a similar letter by

Director Leydier
Annual Report of the Public Printer 67

In the October meeting I spoke of the role of the United States Government

Printing Office, of its efforts through your initiative and direction to advance

the progress of printing and its allied branches, and to increase the material

and moral well-being of all those who contribute to the functioning of this industry—executives, workers, etc. Your industrial, economic, and social role is particularly important and could

well serve as a model to every other country.

May I hope, my dear Mr. Public Printer, that we shall soon have the pleasure

of seeing you again. This desire has been expressed by every member of the committee, and I would be happy if this visit could coincide with one of our

general meetings, when you could present your views to the French printers in a most effective manner. In France a thorough inspection was made of the School for Paper

Making (I'Ecole Francaise de Papeterie) at Grenoble, where every

courtesy was extended by the staff of the University of Grenoble and

by Prof. Marcel Aribert and IVI. A. Ruby, editor of Le Papier

(Paris).

In Holland, where standardization of paper sizes has been generally adopted, that and other subjects relating to the paper and

printing industry were discussed with the Director of the Holland

Government Printing Office (Algemeene Landsdrukkerij )

, the

Standardization Bureau (Centraal Normalisatie Bureau), the Federation of Master Printers, and individual representatives of the printing and paper industries of Holland. Keen interest was manifested

in the research work of the Government Printing Office. TRAINING OF APPRENTICES

The Apprentice School enters the tenth year of its establishment

by the Public Printer with a record of having graduated 222 skilled

craftsmen in the printing trades, all but 6'of ^hom are still in the

service of the Government Printing Office. Since the school was

opened in 1922, there have been 486 Appointments to the 4-year

courses in printing, binding, presswork, platemaking, andanechanics.

There were 183 apprentices enrolled on JarAfarV 1, 1932. The total number of apprentices is limited by law to 200 at any one time. The

class entering in January, 1931, consisted of 72 members, representing

20 States. c^-lir^ The Civil Service Commission reports 462 eligibles still on its rolls as the result of the examination held in 1930. As the appointments average about 50 a year, it is evident that many of the eligi- bles will be disappointed, especially in view of the restriction to appointment before their twentieth birthday.

During the past year two young women qualified for the first time

to enter the school and were appointed printer apprentices, in which

assignment they are making a good record. A number of other

women are also employed as printers, but they learned the trade

elsewhere.
68 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The graduating class of 1931 held its exercises on the evening of

June 4, when 35 young men who had completed the 4-year course prescribed for their respective trades received certificates entitling

them to continue work as journeymen in the Government Printing

Office. An audience of several hundred friends and relatives ffath- ered in Harding Hall for this eventful occasion, which was observed

with all the charm and ceremon}^ of a college commencement.

The address to the graduates was delivered by Mr. George K.

Horn, of Baltimore, past president of the United Typothetse of

America, who made an inspirational talk befitting the occasion.

The class address, reviewing the four years of training, was made

by its president, Mr. Jerome H. Richards. Dr. James Shera Montgomery, chaplain of the United States House of Representatives,

who is also cherished by the apprentices as the school chaplain,

offered the invocation and joined with the graduate apprentices in

their class dinner preceding the evening program.

CERTIFICATES PRESENTED TO GRADUATES

The exercises were presided over by the Deputy Public Printer,

Mr. John Greene, who, together with the chief instructor, Mr. Burr

G. Williams, presented the certificates to the graduates. The music

for the evening was furnished by the Government Printing Office

orchestra under the direction of Mr. W. C. Buckingham.

In commemoration of their graduation the class of 1931 prepared

and printed a very attractive brochure containing their " Story of the

Four Years " as printers, pressmen, platemakers, and bookbinders.

The brochure was illustrated with individual pictures of the class,

together with a roster and comments concerning each member.

As a foreword, the class booklet contained the following

"Appreciation "

The members of the class of 1931 take this occasion to extend their thanks to those who have had their interests and well-being at heart—to these friends, too many to greet personally, the members wish to express sincere thanks for making possible their achievements and for leading them to success. APPRENTICE CLASSBOOK HIGHLY PRAISED

Among many commendations of the 1931 classbook and the work

of the Apprentice School, the following are representative expressions of appreciation

From the Typothetse Bulletin (Washington) of July 1, 1931:

A splendidly executed piece of printing, taking the form of a brochure 8 by 10l^

inches in size, this souvenir program shows definitely that the workers under the

supervision of our distinguished honorary member, Hon. George H. Carter, the Public Printer, are being trained to produce printed matter of the highest class from the artistic standpoint, as well as the general run of work required for the

different Government branches.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 69

From Mr. Earl H. Emmons's " Review of Printed Specimens," in

the August, 1931, issue of the American Printer (New York) : The graduation program is a fine example of higti-class craftsmanship. Every

detail has received the utmost care, and the result is a beautiful piece of vfork. It

is inspiring to know that the world's largest printing ofiice, which necessarily is devoted almost exclusively to speed work and mass production, is yet so operated

that the art side of the industry also is given attention. Public Printer Carter, with all his other honors, deserves additional praise for his efforts and attain- ments in this direction, in spite of the many diflSculties of such a program in such an institution. From Mr. Norman T. A. Munder, the noted Baltimore printer

I have just examined this morning the lovely brochure " Class of 1931." Without any hesitancy I agree that it is a real work of art, and, more, it is the work of good hearts. From Mr. Harry Hillman, former editor of The Inland Printer

(Chicago), and editor of the U. T. A. publications

May I take this opportunity to express my sincere compliments on the splendid

piece of work done in the production of this brochure. It certainly shows that

the Government Printing Office is right up to the minute when it comes to pro- ducing fine printing.

From Mr. Joy Elmer Morgan, editor, the National Education Association of the United States

Your apprentice school is one of the greatest services that could possibly be

rendered. It will build up the quality of printing. It will encourage pride in expert craftsmanship. It will establish a tradition of personal growth and im- provement. It will inspire everyone who comes in touch with the fine graduates

of this school. I hope the school may grow in numbers and in the range of its work, and that it will become the greatest college in the world in the art and

science of printing.

ALUMNI HOLD FIRST ANNUAL BANQUET

During the year the graduate apprentices manifested further interest in their alma mater by organizing the Government Printing Office Alumni Association, which held it first annual banquet in Harding

Hall on December 3, 1931. About 150 graduate apprentices attended

the banquet, which was presided over by Mr. A. Gwinner Miller as toastmaster. On this occasion a certificate of honorary membership was awarded

to the Public Printer " in recognition and appreciation of the ex- traordinary^ interest and cooperation manifested in the technical

training, material advancement, and general welfare of its members as apprentices and craftsmen."

Other certificates of honorary membership were also presented to the Deputy Public Printer, Mr. John Greene ; Dr. James Shera Montgomery; Mr. Alfred D. Calvert, who was the first Instructor of
70 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Apprentices, 1922-1924 ; and Mr. Burr G. Williams, the present Chief

Instructor of Apprentices.

The constitution of the Alumni Association states that it was established " to perpetuate that bond of friendship enjoyed while apprentices by encouraging good fellowship and social relations among it& members and to aid in promoting the best interests of the school of

apprentices."

The first officers of the Association are : President, Frank Lerch

vice president, Herbert E. Goodrich ; secretary, T. Bernard F. Dove

treasurer, Daniel H. Campbell.

HIGH HONORS IN ESSAY CONTEST

In the Sixth Annual Franklin Essay Contest held recently under

the auspices of the International Benjamin Franklin Society, printer

apprentices of the Government Printing Office were awarded second

and third places for their 1,000-word essays on The Influence of

Benjamin Franklin's Career. The recipients of these honors in the

nation-wide contest were Milton A. Smith and William J. Bergin,

The Franklin Society's gold medal for first place was awarded to a Los Angeles apprentice.

Other contestants were entered from Wentworth Institute, Boston

Boston Trade School, Boston ; Printing Trades Evening School, New

York City ; State Trade School, New Britain, Conn. ; Kansas State

Teachers College, Pittsburg, Kans. ; Vocational and Technical High

School, Grand Rapids, Mich.; South Bend (Ind.) Vocational School;

East Technical High School, Cleveland ; Central High School, Tulsa^

Okla. ; Theodore Ahrens Trade School, Louisville, Ky. ; and Frank

Wiggins Trade School, Los Angeles, Calif.

ESSAY JUDGE COMPLIMENTS THE SCHOOL

Fred J. Hartman, director of the Department of Education^

United Typothetse of America, which promoted the contest for the

Franklin Society, in advising the Public Printer of the result, wrote

under date of January 15, 1932

You will be interested to know that the judges of the Franklin Essay Contest gave second and third places to two of your apprentice students, Milton A,

Smith and W. J. Bergin. In fact it was a toss-up between Smith and a student from the Frank Wiggins Trade School, of Los Angeles, for the first place.

The three judges were Prof. David Gustafson, U. T. A. professor of printing,

Carnegie Institute of Technology; Otto W. Fuhrmann, director of the Division

of Graphic Arts, New York University; and Harry Hillman, editor of the Typothetss Bulletin. Professor Gustafson's comment is as follows : " I particularly wish to compli- ment the Apprentice School of the Government Printing Office for the number

of worth-while papers submitted by its students,"
Annual Report of the Public Printer 71

Instead of requiring apprentices to continue to attend night schools

elsewhere, the Office course was extended during the year to include

lessons in English, grammar, spelling, arithmetic, and history, subjects that are deemed essential to proper training for the work of the

Government Printing Office. The new method of instruction has proven very beneficial to the

apprentices, who already have shown better knowledge of these subjects than was apparent in their school work elsewhere.

The educational courses are planned especially for practical use in

the printing trades. For instance, in spelling lessons stress is laid on syllabication, capitalization, and the use of hyphens, accents, and

ligatures. One apprentice made a perfect record for 84 lessons, in

which he wrote 2,100 words without an error in spelling, syllabication, hyphens, accents, or ligatures.

APPRENTICES AID IN PRODUCTION WORK

The Apprentice Section not only furnishes the Office with highly

skilled craftsmen, but also aids in its productive work. In the school- room where the printer-apprentices are given preliminary training,

39,197 hours were spent during the fiscal year 1931 on type corrections, mostly of routine monotype composition.

The schoolroom apprentices were also credited with setting by

hand 7,233,700 ems of type during the j^ear, with a total of 28,472

hours on actual composition.

Apprentices assigned to training in productive sections are carried as an expense to the division to which they are detailed and their

work is so credited. During the fiscal year 1931, the apprentices in the Printing Division set 48,156,900 ems of type and read 12,875

galleys, besides working 53,359 hours on hand and job composition,

37,562 hours on make-up and imposition, and 58,767 hours on office corrections.

OTHER GOOD WORK OF APPRENTICES

The apprentices in the Presswork Division were credited with

35,606 hours of productive presswork and those in the Bindery Division with 61,338 hours on hand and machine operations. The Platemaking Division, including the Photo-Engraving Section, benefited

with 21,727 hours of work by its apprentices. The Machine Section

apprentices had 6,500 hours to their credit during the year. In appreciation of the work of the Government Printing Office Apprentice School and the interest of the Public Printer in vocational education, the Annual Conference on Printing Education,

under the auspices of the United Typothetse of America, will be held

in Harding Hall of the Government Printing Office in June, 1932.
72 Annual Report of the Public Printer

This conference, lasting several days, will be attended by more

than 200 printing teachers, supervisors of vocational education, and

printers from all parts of the United States and Canada. Besides

the formal program and discussions, which are being arranged by

Mr. Fred J. Hartman, director of the U. T. A. Department of Education, there will probably be an interesting exhibit of work by a number of printing-trades schools.

CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

A most essential part of the Government Printing Office is the

Division of Construction and Maintenance, which, as its name signifies, has the responsibility of maintaining in prime condition at all times buildings, machinery, and equipment, valued at approximately

$11,000,000, and is also charged with the expenditure of approximately $1,000,000 annually for construction and maintenance work

in connection with the operation of the Government Printing Office. Including payments to the Capitol power plant for electricity and

steam, the total operating expenses charged to the Division of

Construction and Maintenance for the fiscal year 1931 amounted to

$1,103,410.90, an increase of $143,649.80 over the preceding year. This increase was due almost entirely to a daily average of 82 more

employees on the rolls of the division, the total daily average for the

year being 389, whose compensation in 1931 amounted to $773,628.37.

The principal task of the division during the fiscal year ended June

30, 1931, and continuing through the calendar year 1931, was the preparation and equipping of the 8-story extension to the main building,

now known as No. 45 G Street. This involved an immense amount of

moving and of installing new machinery and equipment, with a multitude of jobs for the carpenter, paint, electrical, machine, pipefitting and sheet-metal shops.

NEW EXTENSION NOW FULLY OCCUPIED

All of this work was practically completed by January 1, 1932, and

the new G Street extension, with its 173,500 square feet of floor space, was occupied on the dates below mentioned

Apprentice Section, August 8, 1930', fourth floor. Computing Section, September 15, 1930, eighth floor. Offset Section, October 4, 1930, fourth floor. Garage, October 4, 1930, basement and first floor. Pipe and Sheet Metal Section, October 28, 1930, second floor. Buildings Section, October 2,9, 1930, basement. Photo-engraving Section, November 15, 1930, eighth floor. Office Superintendent of Construction and Maintenance, January 26, 1931, second floor. Office of Technical Director and laboratory staff, January 26, 1931, fifth floor. Electrical Section, January 30, 1931, third floor.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 73

Ink Section, February 4, 1931, fifth floor. Chief Carpenter and bench workers, February 10, 1931, second floor. Blacksmith and automobile repair work, February 28, 1931, first floor and

basement. Molding Section, electroplating equipment, April 9, 1931, seventh floor. Superintendent of Documents Library, April 20, 1931, seventh floor. Superintendent of Documents and clerical force, April 25, 1931, sixth floor. Documents Salesroom. April 25, 1931. first floor. Koller and Glue Section, June 22, 1931, fifth floor. Machine Section, July 6, 1931, third floor. File Room, August 3, 1931, eighth floor. Paint Shop, October 20, 1931, eighth floor. Maintenance Storeroom, January 20, 1932. Since the completion of the extension on November 29, 1930, under

contracts awarded by the Treasury Department, the intervening

time has been used to install the large amount of fireproof fixtures,

metal furniture, machinery, and other new equipment required by

the increasing work of the various divisions.

XEW EQUIPMENT FOR MAINTENANCE STORES

For the maintenance stores, occupying 10,550 square feet on the

first floor, steel cabinets, bins, and shelving had to be installed to provide for the more than 20,000 items of stock required in the work

of the office. This equipment has been laid out so systematically that

any article in stores can be located immediately without reference to the index cards which are also used to keep an active inventory of

each item in the immense stock. Another extensive installation of steel shelving and cabinet has

been made in the general file room on the eighth floor, where there

are 28 rows of file cases, each 30 feet long and 6 feet high ; also one row of file cases 78 feet long and 10 feet high, and 36 combination

cabinets, each 30 feet long and 10 feet high. If all this equipment were placed in a single row 8 feet high, it would make a file 2,000

feet in length.

DOUBLE-TIER STEEL. STACKS FOR LIBRARY

Mention has already been made elsewhere in this report of the

double-tier steel library stacks installed on the seventh floor for the

Superintendent of Documents Library of more than half a million

Government publications. Special equipment for the Platemaking,

Presswork, and Technical Divisions has also been described else- where in this and last year's report.

After completing the installation of all the equipment for the other

divisions, the Division of Construction and Maintenance undertook

the even more difficult job of moving its own sections from various

parts of the old building to more suitable quarters on the second and

third floors of the G Street extension, where they now occupy 36,400
74 Annual Report of the Public Printer

square feet of floor space. In addition there were extensive changes

in the power-plant equipment, which continues to occupy a separate

building. The laundry and box factory had to remain in the old

building, but the latter was moved to a better location in close contact with the Carpenter Section by means of a bridge across the

alleyway.

Moving into larger and more convenient space made possible the

installation of much-needed new machinery and the replacement of

obsolete equipment, especially in the Carpenter, Machine, and Pipefitting Sections.

NEW MACHINES FOR CARPENTER SECTION

About 20 new machines were purchased for the Carpenter Section,

which is now equipped to do all kinds of woodwork required in the

construction and repair of tables, benches, cabinets, racks, furniture,

etc., for the entire plant. All woodworking machines are connected

with a central sawdust-collecting system which prevents particles of

dust and shavings from spreading in the workrooms.

The Carpenter and Paint Section handled 26,360 jobs during the

fiscal year 1931, of which 85 per cent was repair work, an increase of

10,681 over the preceding year. Included in this work was the completion of the interior painting of the entire main building.

A job of special credit to the Carpenter Section is the woodwork

in the officers' lunch room of the Cafeteria. Other evidences of skill- ful craftsmanship are the display cases, counter, and shelving which

the Carpenter Section made for the Government bookstore on the

first floor of the G Street extension.

The Machine Section had its hands full during the year with the

extensive installation and moving of machinery in addition to getting

its own shop in shipshape with practically all new equipment. The

Chief Machinist reports a total of 51,176 jobs of all kinds during

the year, including several important improvements in bindery

machinery.

MACHINE SECTION IS WELL EQUIPPED

The Machine Section now occupies 10,851 square feet on the third

floor of the G Street extension, where 22 new pieces of equipment,

including several large machine tools, have been installed. The

blacksmith shop is located on the alley side of the first floor, convenient to the garage and the automobile repair shop in the basement.

Machine work requiring unusually large or seldom-needed equipment

is ordered from the Washington Navy Yard, which has cooperated in a most satisfactory manner. The principal items of new machine^ and equipm^ent purchased

and installed during the past year are as follows
Annual Report of the Public Printer 75

Presswork Division : One 64-page web press with wire-stapling and

pasting attachments for printing the Congressional Record and like classes of work, making three of this size and replacing one 64-page

and two 32-page obsolete presses; one 64-page web press, with wirestapling device to print, fold, and inset Farmers' Bulletins and other

octavo work ; 5 tabulating card presses to print cards 3l^ by 6% and

^V4. by T% inches, replacing slower machines; 1 sheet-fed perfecting

offset press, the first of its kind to be made in America; 3 flat-bed cylinder presses for printing the Patent Office specifications, replacing 3 worn-out presses; 1 machine for slitting paper rolls for tabulating card presses, with magnetic thickness gage for recording thick- ness of stock; one 45-inch paper-cutting machine for use in the Money

Order Section, replacing an obsolete machine.

BINDERY GETS MANY NEW MACHINES

Bindery Division : Two safety trimmers, making 4 now in operation; 1 stripping machine; 1 cloth-cutting machine; 1 slitting and

rewinding machine; 3 wire-stitching machines; and 1 drilling machine, all replacing old and worn-out machines. One continuoussmashing machine, replacing and doubling the output of an old-style

machine; 1 straight-line continuous trimmer making 25 to 30 cuts per minute; one 56-inch and three 50-inch cutting machines to re- place worn-out machines ; one 45-inch cutting machine with auto- matic spacing device, to replace an old machine ; 1 casing-in machine,

to replace an old machine and to increase output ; 2 pamphlet-wrapping machines (1 installed) ; 1 back-lining, crashing, and headbanding machine; 3 folding machines, to replace obsolete equipment; 8 book-sewing machines, with feeding and pasting devices; 1 per- forating machine, with attachments for accurately striking on a line

for cross-perforating; 2 punching machines, to replace obsolete

machines; and 1 pneumatic book press, replacing a worn-out press. PRINTING AND PLATEMAKING EQUIPMENT

Printing Division: Two saw trimmers for cutting down linotype

slugs ; 1 slug profiler for cutting and profiling slugs cast on the Ludlow machines; 1 roll-type proof press; 1 large hand proof press;

5,250 galleys of assorted sizes ; 10 electric heating units for linotype

and monotype metal pots; and 171 positive assemblers for linotype

machines.

Platemaking Division: One plate solidifying and straightening

machine ; one case-filling and cooling table ; 2 circular saws for elec- trotype and stereotype plates, and metal bases. The Platemaking

Division acquired considerable electrotyping, stereotyping, and photoengraving equipment last year for expansion into its new additions on the sixth, seventh, and eighth floors.
76 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Stores Division : One tractor and 12 trailers ; 1 traveling crane installed in the new extension to unload 5-ton trucks lowered to the

basement by elevator. This equipment requires but two men to operate and does the work easier and better than previously done

by eight men. Four electric lift trucks for deliveries of paper stock

to all floors, and one jack-lift truck.

Division of Tests and Technical Control : One 4-roller ink mill, to replace 2 old 3-roller mills used to grind printing inks; 2 glasslined mixers and 2 glass-lined portable tanks for use in manufacturing ail kinds of liquid inks, such as writing, stamp pad, and numbering machine inks; 2 portable steel mixing tanks, 375-gallon capacity,

for use in blending mimeograph and similar inks; 1 semiautomatic

labeling machine, for labeling ink containers; one 6-head semiautomatic filling machine, for filling containers with liquid and semifluid

inks; and 1 water heater, with automatic temperature control, for

use in melting roller and glue composition.

ELECTRICAL SECTION IN NEW WORKSHOP

The new workshop of the Electrical Section, also located on the

third floor of the G Street extension, is well equipped for armature

repairing, which constitutes the principal shopwork, 80 per cent of

the time of the electricians being spent on repair jobs and installations throughout the plant. During the year the Electrical Section

handled 27,663 jobs.

In the office of the Chief Electrician are located the electric master

clock for controlling the work bells and time stamps in workrooms

and offices throughout the plant, and also the fire alarm and guard

control system of 138 call boxes. Every office and workroom is equipped with an electric self-winding and self-regulating clock. Installation of trojan lighting bowls was continued and completed

during the year. All offices, workrooms, and halls in the main building and new extension, as well as the workrooms in the old documents building, are now equipped with the new lighting system.

INSTALLING NEW HIGH-SPEED ELEVATORS

The Electrical Section has charge of the operation of 27 passenger

and freight elevators, which are also regularly inspected and kept in

good mechanical condition by the Machine Section.

Contract work is in progress for the replacement of four obsolete and inadequate elevators with modern high-speed cars of greater

capacity. Two of the new elevators are to be located at the main

entrance, where most of the passengers are carried to the administrative offices, the Cafeteria, and Harding Hall. The other two new
Annual Report of the Public Printer 77

elevators will be at the east G Street entrance to the main building

where, in addition to hauling freight loads, they will also be available for service to the Cafeteria and Harding Hall.

The two front elevators will have a capacity of 20 passengers

each and a speed of 600 feet per minute as compared with a speed

of 250 feet per minute for the old 15-passenger cars. The G Street

elevators will carry 30 passengers or 5,000 pounds of freight each

and have a speed of 500 feet per minute.

A new elevator is also being erected to provide additional freight

service in the north wing of the main building from the fifth floor to the shipping platform to expedite the delivery of bindery and press- room work. This elevator will be full automatic, with push-button

signals and controls. All the new elevators will be equipped with

automatic floor leveling and other devices to improve the service.

SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR TYPE MACHINISTS

The Electrical Section completed a particularly creditable job

during the year in the construction of an extensive signal system for

calling linotype machinists in the fifth and seventh floor sections.

Signal boards, with illuminating numbers on both sides corresponding to machine numbers, are provided for each group of 24 machines.

Suspended from the ceiling, they are visible from each side. A master board, with illuminating numbers of all the machines in the sec- tion, is located in a convenient place for observation hj the foreman.

A switch at each machine is connected electrically with the respective group board and the master board. When the operator signals

for a machinist the number of his machine is illuminated on both

boards at the same time. Thus the group machinist can promptly

locate any machine in trouble in his unit, and the section foreman

is informed of the condition of all the machines in his section.

QUICKER RESPONSE TO ELECTRIC CALLS

Four group signal boards and one master board containing 110

numbers were installed in the Linotype Section on the seventh floor. Three other group boards and one master board with 72 numbers

were placed in the Patents Section on the fifth floor. The installations required 43,000 feet of wiring.

The signal-board system has resulted in quicker response by a machinist to the call of an operator with less loss of production

than in the old method of vocal calls for a machinist. It has also reduced calls for imaginary machine faults, as the foreman can readily check this class of calls. Since the installation of the electric- signal system the average time of each call is three minutes.
78 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The Pipe and Sheet-Metal Section had an unusually busy year

with the extensive plumbing and ventilating installations required

by the moving and reequipping of various workrooms and the re- placement of the large refrigerating equipment in the Cafeteria.

During the year a total of 11,115 jobs were completed by this section. A number of workrooms, including the electrotyping, photoengraving, offset, ink, and roller sections, and the technical laboratory, required a large amount of new plumbing for hot and cold

water, drains, and sewers, and of piping for steam, acids, ammonia^

ink, brine, carbon dioxide, compressed air, and gas. The ventilating installations were also unusually large, including

better facilities for carrying off fumes from all the dark rooms, laboratory hoods, and from the acid, gas, metal, and blackleading machines, as well as furnishing fresh air to the inclosed shipping platform, the new Record pressroom, and numerous large toilet rooms

which had been inadequately ventilated.

To improve the air conditions in a group of 14 toilets facing a

court in the main building, a new blower having a capacity of 26,000

cubic feet per minute was placed on the roof and succeeded in over- coming a structural defect of years' standing.

SERVICES RENDERED BY POWER SECTION

The services by the Power Section during the year included compressed-air, refrigeration, brine circulation, gas distribution, battery charging, hot and cold water supply to toilet rooms, chilled

water for drinking fountains throughout the plant, industrial and

sanitary water pumping, conversion of electric current furnished

by the Capitol power plant, and distribution of steam for heating

and industrial purposes from the same source. Due to greater production requirements, the use of electric cur- rent increased 270,673 kilowatt-hours, or 4.29 per cent, with a total of 6,577,074 kilowatt-hours for the year. Steam consumption also increased, with a total of 89,744,518 pounds

for the year, due to additional requirements of the new extension.

Gas consumption for the year was 7,705,000 cubic feet, a decreaseof 784,600 cubic feet, or 9.24 per cent, due to replacements of gas- heated by electrically heated equipment.

PRINCIPAL ALTERATIONS TO BUILDINGS

The principal alterations completed during the year by employees

of the Buildings Section included the following

New office for Delivery Section, in connection with contract completion of shipping platform, which now occupies a space of 4,118
Annual Report of the Public Printer 79

square feet under cover, with adequate light, ventilation, and toilet facilities

Enlargement of Photo-Engraving Section by removal of walls in

main building and erection of six fireproof dark rooms in the new

extension

Enlargement of job proof room, adding more light and ventilation facilities and better space for increased force

Construction of room for additional presses in new extension adjacent to Eecord pressroom in main building;

Keconstruction of humidity-machine and testing rooms damaged

by fire in technical laboratory

Enlargement of penthouses for additional ventilation of workrooms, laboratory, and toilets

Construction of basement room for storage of additional plates,

including 198.290 plates of Supreme Court Eeports purchased by

authority of Congress

Remodeling of various rooms vacated in the old building and

documents annex to provide better facilities for storage and mailing

of publications

Remodeling of workrooms occupied in old building by carpenter,

machine, electrical, pipe, sheet-metal, and blacksmith shops to provide additional space for storage of paper and other stocks of supplies and materials.

IMPRO^-ED POWER-PLANT EQUIPMENT

A much-needed rearrangement of power-plant equipment for more

efficient operation was made possible during the year by extending

its space on the first floor to include 2,100 square feet formerly used

for other purposes. This change released for paper storage 3.300

square feet of basement space that had been occupied by power-plant

equipment now being placed in a more convenient location on the

first floor. In this extension of the Power Section there will be located 11

electric pumps, 6 of which are new equipment; two 25-ton compression refrigerating machines, 1 being new; 3 new closed-type water

coolers ; 2 water heaters ; 1 new frequency changer for carpenter-shop

power; and 2 small air compressors moved from the main room

of the Power Section.

On account of the new electric refrigerators installed in the Cafeteria and the Platemaking Division, the old ice-making equipment and

brine circulation for ice boxes have been discarded, releasing the

Power Section of this troublesome task. 82246—32 6
80 Annual Report of the Public Printer

With the completion of these improvements and the installation

of a 500-kilowatt synchronous converter, it is expected that the

reequipment of the Power Section, which began several years ago,

will be completed by July 1, 1932.

ADDITIO?^ AL SPACE FOR STORAGE PURPOSES

Another addition of the Government Printing Office has been made

possible by the purchase of property adjoining the new G Street extension, having a frontage of 32 feet and a depth of 175 feet. The

5,608 square feet thus added to the floor and ground area of the

Government Printing Office, brings the present total area up to 958,403 square feet. Proceedings for acquisition of this additional property were started

three years ago, but the Department of Justice was unable to complete

title for the Government until August 24, 1931.

Funds for the purchase were available from the unexpended bal- ance of the allotment of $1,250,000 which the Public Buildings Commission granted to the Government Printing Office for the G Street

extension. A further unobligated balance of $28,463.28 is available

for use in the improvement of the newly acquired property.

The improvement will consist of demolishing the two small houses

now on the land and the inclosing and roofing of the space much

needed for storage purposes. Oil and gasoline will be stored there

in underground tanks, thus removing them from close proximity to other buildings containing easily inflammable stocks of paper and

materials.

Storage space will also be provided in the new addition for bulky

building materials and for the temporary handling of trash and

garbage at a proper distance from the workrooms of employees.

It is planned to have these improvements completed during the

coming year, as they will be of great convenience and render a longneeded service.

PASSING or CONGRESSIONAL GLOBE " VAULT " There recently passed from the possession of the Government

Printing Office a property known as the " Congressional Globe vault,"

which, although of little present value, rendered important service to the Government Printing Office for more than 50 years and was the

last surviving relic of the printing of the proceedings of Congress by

private contractors. For many years the Globe vault housed approximately 70,000 plates of the old Congressional Globe which the

Government purchased from its publishers in 1878. The Government Printing Office began printing the Congressional Kecord as the
Anmial Report of the Public Printei' 81

successor to the Globe with the proceedings of the Forty-third Congress in 1873. Congress appropriated $100,000 for the purchase of these plates, a quantity of bound and unbound copies of the Globe, and the vault. The so-called vault was a 2-story brick structure located on the alleyway between Third and Fourth Streets NW., close to Pennsylvania

Avenue, where stood the building in which the Congressional Globe was printed for many years by F. and J. Eives & George A. Bailey.

The purchase of the plates proved of little value to the Government. In fact, they were unfit for use on modern printing presses. On that account the Joint Committee on Printing several years ago

authorized the Public Printer to dispose of all the Globe plates. The

metal from 46,000 stereotype plates was salvaged by remelting for

other platemaking service, but the 24,000 rubber-composition plates

had to be destroyed as this material was unfit for further use. In later years the Globe vault had been used for the storage of old

records and files of the Government Printing Office. The moving of

these papers to the main office files brought to life many interesting

historic records.

OLD RECORDS REVEAL PRIXTIXG PROPHECY

Of special interest to students of the history of printing was the

finding of the original drawings of printing inventions up to 50 years

ago. These drawings had been used for illustrating a large atlas entitled " The Growth of Industrial Art," that was printed by the

Government Printing Office in 1880. The following prophecy con- cerning the development of typesetting machines was printed in the

Atlas of 1880:

Printers have been wont to boast that a practical type composing and justifying machine presents a problem that even Yankee ingenuity and persistence could not solve ; but in viev^ of the progress made in this direction during the

last decade it can hardly be doubted that complete success will be achieved in the near future. It remains, however, to be determined whether or not the

capital invested in them and the casualties incident to complicated and delicate machinery will discourage their use in place of compositors, who own themselves, are always ready, and for whom substitutes can be found if one or another prove ailing or erratic. It is interesting to note in this connection that the Government

Printing Office at present has in operation approximately 400 typesetting and casting machines and that practically none of the type for

Government publications is now set by hand.

These historical references lead up to the statement that on September 3, 1931, the Public Printer, with the approval of the Joint

Committee on Printing, transferred possession of the old Globe vault
82 Annual Report of the Public Printer

property without charge to the government of the District of Columbia for use in the development of the new municipal center for

the city of Washington.

The old building has been demolished and thereb}^ ends the tale^ except to add that the District commissioners were unable for several weeks to ascertain the ownership of the isolated structure, which was about to block the progress of the $20,000,000 municipal project^

until some one broke into the building, discovered that it contained

records of the Government Printing Office, and thus traced the

ownership to the Public Printer.

ESTIMATES FOR NEW BUILDING POSTPONED

Due to the great urge for reducing Government expenditures during the next fiscal year, the Public Printer has refrained from including in the estimates for 1933 an appropriation of $1,000,000 to begin

work on a $4,000,000 building desired to replace the 75-year-old

structure which is a constant fire menace to the entire plant.

An estimate for this purpose was submitted to the third session of

the Seventy-first Congress and was supported by the following bill (H. R. 16343), which Hon. Frank Murphy, of Ohio, chairman of the

subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations having

jurisdiction of Government Printing Office appropriations, introduced and had referred to the Committee on Public Buildings and

Grounds

:

A BILL To provide for the demolition of certain existing structures and the

erection of a new building for the Government Printing Office. Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States

of Arne7'ica in Congress assembled, That for the demolition and removal of old buildings now owned by the United States and occupied by the Government

Printing Office on the site bounded on the north by H Street northwest, on the

east by North Capitol Street, on the south by the area formerly known as Jack- son Alley, and extending west approximately three hundred and eighty-four feet from North Capitol Street, and for the construction on such site or a part thereof

of a suitable building for the use of the Government Printing Office to be con- nected with the present main building, including elevators, conveyors, steel shelving, heating, lighting, plumbing, and other necessary fixtures, there is hereby

authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $4,000,000. Sec. 2. The preparation of plans, advertisement for bids, and award of contracts therefor and the supervision and approval of the work shall be under

the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, who is authorized to enter into a contract or contracts for carrying out the purposes of this act at a total amount not to exceed the authorized limit of cost. Sec. 3. The demolition of the old buildings and the plans and design of the new structure shall be subject to approval by the Public Printer. The bill was approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, but failed

of further consideration by the House Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds owing to the approaching adjournment of

Congress.
Annual Report of the Piiblic Printer 83

T\lien Congress resumes the appropriation of funds for necessary

public buildings, it is urgently recommended that renewed consideration be given to the vital need of the Government Printing Office for an adequate fireproof building in which to safeguard its valuable

stock of Government publications and great stores of paper and other

materials, as set forth in the Eeport of the Public Printer for 1930. EMPLOYEES' CAFETERIA AND RECREATION

Permanent improvement and fireproofing of the Cafeteria, which were completed during the year, included the replacement of all wooden partitions by tiled brick walls and the construction of new

tiled refrigerators in place of the old wooden ones. All the wooden

wainscoting in the Cafeteria was replaced by glazed white tiles, which

were also used to inclose the base of the pillars supporting the roof. In the kitchen and service rooms the walls were lined to the ceiling

with glazed white tiles, presenting a most pleasing and sanitary

appearance.

The main dining room of the Cafeteria was enlarged by the removal

of photo-engraving equipment to other quarters, thus providing a space 119 feet in length on one side and 250 feet on the other for the

serving counters and tables, with a capacity for seating approximately

SOO patrons at one time.

A counter, 31 feet in length, was added to the Cafeteria serving

equipment, making three such counters available for one section of

the Cafeteria in addition to a 31-foot counter provided for another

section. There are also special counters for milk service and the

convenience of patrons who do not desire to use the regular service counters. ELECTEIC RETKIGERATORS FOR KITCHEN

The new refrigerators consist of three units with a total of 10 elec- trically refrigerated compartments which have a space of 2,165 cubic

feet. Two units are installed in the kitchen, and one unit with 3 extra

large compartments has been placed in a new room with the commissary stores of the Cafeteria. The refrigerators are tiled both

inside and outside and are operated by central automatic refrigerating

machines. Four smaller electric refrigerators have also been installed

in the service counters and the pantry.

Another improvement, adding greatly to the appearance of the

Cafeteria lobby, is the new candy and tobacco stand which was built

especially to conform to the design of the Cafeteria and Harding

Hall. The lobby has also been improved with a new terrazzo floor. The Cafeteria office was remodeled with tiled brick walls and

provided with more convenient space which is better lighted and

ventilated than the old office.

\
84 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Three large toilet rooms for Cafeteria employees and patrons were also remodeled in the same manner and equipped with marble

partitions and terrazzo floors. A further improvement to the Cafeteria was the reconstruction of

the officers' lunch room, with walls paneled in early English oak,

beamed ceiling, casement type of leaded-glass windows, randomwidth oak floor, antique electric fixtures, a stone fireplace, and re- fectory tables, sideboard, and chairs in keeping with the style of the room.

DEDICATION OF GREEN ROOM AND ANNEX

The Green Room, a place of recreation adjoining Harding Hall

and the bowling alleys, was completed during the year and suitably

furnished for the comfort of the employees with leather-cushioned

lounges, easy chairs, and checkerboards, and equipped with a radio.

Cases containing the stands of colors presented to the two veterans'

units and 20 trophy cups won by championship baseball and bowling

teams during the past nine years are other attractive features of

the room. The Green Room was appropriately dedicated on St. Patrick's

Day, 1931, with brief addresses by Rev. Francis J. Hurney and

Deputy Public Printer Greene, and an acceptance of the room by the

])resident of the Cafeteria and Recreation Association, Mr. J. Thomas

Ford. The chairman on this occasion was Mr. William J. Cassiday.

The popularity of the Green Room has increased so rapidly that

recently it was necessary to furnish similarly an annex for the use of

other employees. This room was also dedicated with appropriate exercises on November 24, 1931, when the principal address of appreciation was delivered by Capt. John E. Smith. The chairman on

that occasion was Sergt. Levi Scott. TESTIMONIAL FROM CAFETERIA ASSOCIATION

In appreciation of these improvements to the Cafeteria and assist- ance to other employee activities, to which the eighth floor, a former

attic, is now devoted, the following resolutions were adopted by the

Government Printing Office Cafeteria and Recreation Association on

July 15, 1931, and presented to the Public Printer on its behalf by a committee consisting of Mr. Nathaniel G. Watts, Mr. Uriel C. Hays^

Mr. William F. Harris, Mr. William C. Parry, and Mrs. Nora A.

Bechtel

Whereas the Hon. George H. Carter, Public Printer of the United States of

America, has so often demonstrated his deep interest in the welfare of the employees of the Government Printing Office, at all times pointing the way to higli

and noble achievements in the service of the Government ; and
Annual Report of the Public Printer 85

Whereas the recent improvements, transformation, and alterations of the

eighth floor, whereby our Cafeteria, bowling alleys, rest rooms, and Harding

Hall hare been beautified and enlarged, have again brought to the realization of the employees the wonderful consideration shown for their well-being and

opportunity for social enjoyment ; and

Whereas the establishment of the Green Room, dedicated to the use of the employees of the Government Printing Office for rest and recreation, has given

them still further reason for grateful acknowledgment: Therefore be it Resolved, That the sincere thanks of the employees of the Government Print- ing Oflice, through the Cafeteria and Recreation Association, are hereby ex- tended to the Hon. George H. Carter, Public Printer ; and be it further Resolved, That this testimonial be presented to the Hon. George H. Carter as

a token of admiration for the noble character of his work in behalf of the employees of the United States Government Printing Office and as an expression of

their appreciation of his beneficent consideration in providing for their welfare; and also in reciprocal exchange of a sincere and lasting friendship.

CAFETERIA RECEIPTS AND EXPENSES

The annual report of the president of the Government Printing

Office Cafeteria and Recreation Association for the year ended

October 19, 1931, shows total receipts amounting to $248,190.82, a decrease of $18,101.38 from the preceding year. The decrease was due

partly to the interruption of Cafeteria service by building operations

during the year and to the Saturday half holidays, when the Cafeteria also closes at noon. In addition to the large purchases of foodstuffs and a pay roll of

$62,847.79 for 75 employees, the Cafeteria Association expended

$2,497.17 for replacement of dishes and cutleiy during the year, more

than $3,000 for new kitchen equipment, and $3,752 for two additional

bowling alleys and the reconditioning of the four ol'd alleys.

The total number of meals served during the year was 901,888,

with a daily average of 2,891 and a maximum of 4,264 for one day

when a Thanksgiving dinner was served at the regular luncheon

price of 25 cents. This annual feast of 2,500 pounds of turkey and

several hundred mince pies is, of course, served at a loss but it is regarded as a declaration of dividend in kind instead of in cash.

8,0 00 EMPLOYEES ENJOY EXCURSIONS

Other benefits which employees derived from the Cafeteria and

Recreation Association during the year included two excursions, one

taking 2,200 to Chapel Point, Md., on the lower Potomac River, and

the other entertaining 800 employees and friends at Colton, Md., near Chesapeake Bay.

As usual since the opening of Harding Hall, Christmas entertainments were provided for the children of employees, 1,500 being

treated with a delightful program, presents, and refreshments on one

day, and 1,000 others similarly made happy on another day.
86 Annual Report of the Public Printer

For the further enjoyment of employees and their friends, a wonderful Christmas tree was erected in Harding Hall with an elaborate setting of village gardens, waterfalls, a brook stocked with live goldfish, electric trains dashing through mountain tunnels, a fully

equipped airport with beacon light and whirling airplanes, and a

scenic background of mountain views.

The Christmas-tree setting was also greatly enjoyed by the large

group of American newspaper boys who visited Harding Hall on December 29 and by a delegation of the New York Junior Naval Militia

who came on the following day to lunch in the Cafeteria.

The bowling alleys, increased to six in number, were more popular

than ever as shown by the year's total of 67,461 games rolled by individuals and the day and night leagues of employees. A Government

Printing Office team won the Federal League bowling championship

and a handsome trophy cup.

WIN CITY BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

The office team in the Government Baseball League also won the

first-place trophy and then captured the city championship with

the accompanying handsome trophy awarded by the American

League for that honor. The Government Printing Office also had

teams in two other local baseball leagues.

Two other organizations sponsored by the Cafeteria and Recreation Association, and of which the Government Printing Office is especially proud, are the orchestra of 25 members under the direction of

Mr. William C. Buckingham, and the chorus of 40 voices under the

leadership of Mr. Gerald L. Whelan.

The musical organizations were honored with an invitation to entertain a large radio audience on December 19, 1931, through the

courtesy of station WMAL of Washington, and received many compliments for the excellent program rendered on that occasion.

RADIO ADDRESS ON EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES In connection with the radio program, Mr. J. Thomas Ford,

president of the Cafeteria and Recreation Association, spoke of

employee activities in the Government Printing Office. His radio

address is included in this report as expressive of the viewpoint of an employee. Mr. Ford said

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Radio Audience: It gives me very great

pleasure to come before you to-night as a representative of the United States Oovernment Printing Office, the largest printing plant in the world, to tell you

of some of the employee activities in this, your oflSce. In order to acquaint

you with the magnitude of this great plant, I feel that you would be interested

in learning of a few of the details of the work we perform.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 87

The Government Printing Office has a little more than 5,000 employees and

prints about 90,000,000 copies of various publications for the Federal and District Governments, exclusive of court briefs, and speeches and private orders

for Members of Congress. We do a yearly business of about $14,500,000. For

the Post Office Department alone nearly 1,500,000,000 postal cards and more

than 200,000,000 money-order blanks were printed last year. The present Public Printer, Hon. George H. Carter, who was appointed in the

spring of 1921, realizing the enormous amount of purchases by the Government

Printing Office, established a division of Tests and Technical Control, where all materials are tested, and where cooperative investigations are conducted and

research work undertaken for the common interest of the Government Printing

Office and the printing industry. In order to further safeguard the interest of the Government, he established an apprentice school where about 200 young men

and women at a t.me are taught printing and allied trades. Shortly after Mr. Carter's appointment he realized the necessity for employee

activities for the mutual benefit of the office and the employees. A modern and

up-to-date Cafeteria was installed, and he was instrumental in the organization

of the Cafeteria and Recreation Association consisting of representatives of the various units of the office, and turned over to them the operation of the Cafeteria and numerous other recreational activities. SERVE ABOUT 2,900 MEALS DAILY The Cafeteria last year served more than 900,000 meals, or about 2,900

meals per day, spending in this enterprise nearly $250,000 on the local markets. The original fund for foodstuffs was loaned by the employees to the association,

which also sponsors various other activities. All foodstuffs are prepared in a sanitary, modern, sunlit kitchen, where the food and equipment are inspected each day by medical officers. The dining room

will seat 800 at a time. On account of the great quantity of foodstuffs used, it is possible to serve the employees a good, wholesome lunch for a quarter. It may be of some interest to you to know that for our Thanksgiving dinner alone, in addition to other items, we utilized 2,500 pounds of turkey, 200 gallons of dressing, and 400 pies. Harding Hall, an auditorium, named for our first printer President, has a

seating capacity of more than 1,700 people, where 800 persons can dance in comfort. It has a fully equipped stage, including curtains, switchboard, and dressing rooms. It was built for official meetings and as a place of recreation. The

auditorium is very beautifully decorated in old gold, with indirect lighting, and

has proven a popular place for concerts, dances, entertainments, and banquets

for employees and their families, and for numerous conventions of organizations

of the printing and allied industries. EMPLOYEES ENJOY BOWLING ALLEYS We also have in the office six modern bowling alleys which were equipped and

are maintained by the employees' association. We have a day and night bowling

league, and in addition to league and individual rolling, conduct numerous

tournaments for the employees. Last year two picnics were conducted for the employees of the office at which we had an attendance of about 3,000, with the usual bathing, boating, dancing,

athletic events, etc. The association also sponsors three baseball teams, and an orchestra of 25 and

chorus of 40. Concerts are given on Fridays at lunch time during the winter
88 Annual Report of the Public Printer

and selections rendered in connection witli our patriotic programs held in Harding Hall. A Christmas entertainment is held each year for the children of the employees,

and is attended by about 2,400 children up to the age of 16. Each child enjoys a show and receives a present and refreshments. We also have a golf club, two veterans' organizations, and an entry in the Federal bowling league.

Public Printer Carter, in his further thought of the employees, established two game and rest rooms, with easy chairs, where the employees can play, chat, and

smoke during their luncheon periods and when off duty.

The office itself conducts a modern and up-to-date hospital where employees are

treated for injuries and illness. Another employee organization conducts group

insurance. This is truly a city within itself, providing for the employee while at work and

off duty. This large building which you have passed so many times contains numerous intensely interesting activities. A guide force takes visitors through

from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m., and a cordial invitation is extended to you to visit us.

I thank you. 19 31 CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN HARDING HALL

The following is a calendar of the more important events held in

Harding Hall during the year 1931, in addition to which there were numerous entertainments and dances by various organizations of

employees

January 7. Joint installation of officers by the District of Columbia department

of Spanish War Veterans. William J. Jenkins, presiding officer; address of welcome by the Public Printer ; addresses by Hon. Herbert Crosby, District Commissioner, and Hon. Rice W. Means, former United States Senator from

Colorado. January 14. Banquet and entertainment of Government Printing Office Unit No.

1, United Veterans of American Wars. January 28. Old-timers' night of Columbia Lodge, No. 174, International Associ- ation of Machinists. Address by Hon. James M. Meade, New York. Presentation of service badges to Government machinists. February 19. Ninth anniversary dinner and entertainment of the Government

Printing Office Cafeteria and Recreation Association. March 4. Seventieth anniversary of the United States Government Printing

Office. Introductory remarks by Hon. George H. Moses, chairman of the Joint Committee on Printing ; address by Mr. David Lawrence, editor of the United

States Daily. Music by the Government Printing Office orchestra and chorus. March 1&-17. Second Conference of Technical Experts of the Printing Industry,

sponsored by the Printing Industries Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, with the Government Printing Office and the United

Typothetse of America as joint hosts. April 9. Illustrated lecture on The History of Printing, by Mr. Harry Hillman,

Editor of the United Typothetse of America Bulletin and former editor of The

Inland Printer, to the apprentices and staff of the Government Printing Office. April 16. Lecture to apprentices by the Deputy Public Printer and superintendents. April 17. Iowa State Society, inspection of the office and dance.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 89

April 27-May 6. An exhibition of " Fifty Books of 1930 " and " Printing for Commerce," by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and " Fifty British Books," selected by the First Edition Club, of London.

May 7. First annual dinner and entertainment of the Fellowship Club of the

ofRcials of the Government Printing Office. May 15'. Visit of 40 students of the Mergenthaler School of Printing, Baltimore. May 19. Annual dinner entertainment of the Association of Government Build- ing Superintendents.

May 21. Dinner and entertainment of the Bookbinders' Union ; Felix J. Belair, toastmaster ; Joseph B. Fitzpatrick, master of ceremonies. May 29. Memorial services under the auspices of the Veterans of American

Wars. Address by Capt, Dudley Wright Knox, United States Navy. Invocation by Lieut. Commander C. A. Neyman, United States Navy. Music by

United States Navy Band orchestra. June 1-3. Conference of the Mechanical Department of the American Newspaper Publishers Association ; W. E. Wines, manager.

-June 4. Graduation of apprentices, class of 1931. Address by Mr. George K. Horn, past president of the United Typothetse of America.

October 16. Weekly concerts of the Government Printing Office orchestra re- sumed.

-November 10. Armistice Day celebration under the auspices of the United Vet- erans of American Wars. Address by Maj. Gen. Amos A. Fries. I»Jovember 25. Thanksgiving services. Address by Rev. Carl C. Rasmussen, of the Luther Place Memorial Church, Washington, D. C. December 3. First annual banquet of the Alumni Association of the Government

Printing Office School of Apprentices.

December 10. Joint installation of officers. District of Columbia department

Spanish War Veterans. Address by the Hon. Rice W, Means.

-December 28-29. Christmas entertainments for the children of employees of the Government Printing Office. December 29. Visit and supper, 130 members of American Newspaper Boys' Association on second annual patriotic pilgrimage to Washington, under the

auspices of the Hearst newspapers. December 30-31. Visit and lunch, 50 members of the United States Junior Naval

Militia of New York. THANKS OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPER BOYS

Among the many letters that the Public Printer has received in

iippreciation of the privilege of using Harding Hall and the Cafeteria during the year are the following

From Mr. L. G. Leech, secretary of the American Newspaper

Boys' Association, who wrote under date of January 6, 1932

On behalf of the American Newspaper Boys' Association and the Washington

Herald and the Washington Times I desire to express appreciation for the courtesies extended the boys during the Second Annual Patriotic Pilgrimage.

.The trip through the Printing Office and the meeting in Harding Hall at which you spoke and the dinner made quite an occasion. In fact, a number of

the boys expressed their delight and thought the visit to the Printing Office was

one of the very nicest parts of the program.

I hope next year the delegation will be doubled and that we may have the

privilege of carrying through the same arrangements.
90 Annual Report of the Public Printer

From Mr. L. K. Johnson, secretary of the Washington Club of

Printing House Craftsmen, who wrote on February 20, 1931

Washington Club of Printing House Craftsmen, in regular meeting assembled,

unanimously voiced its appreciation of your very generous part in the success of our annual " Government Night," held in Harding Hall, Government Printing

Office, October 21, 1930. For the privilege of holding this meeting in beautiful Harding Hall, for your presence and active participation in the proceedings, and for the kindly

and sincere interest you have always manifested in its aims and activities, Washington Club feels deeply grateful.

To you, whose inspiring exemplification of our motto, " Share Your Knowledge," is acknowledged by all, we extend our whole-hearted thanks and the

sincere wish for your continued health, happiness, and prosperity.

HEALTH AND SANITATION

According to the report of the Medical and Sanitary Director,

16,786 treatments were given to employees of the Government Printing Office in its emergency hospital during the fiscal year 1931, an

increase of 750 over the treatments for the preceding year. This in- crease is accounted for by the larger number of employees in 1931.

Of the treatments during the last year, 7,412 were medical and

3,130 surgical cases. There were 4,700 retreatments. Fortunately, all the injuries were of a minor nature, only two requiring surgical operations—the amputation of fingers. No deaths occurred in the office during the year, but 40 employees died elsewhere from causes not

attributable to injuries in line of duty.

In addition to the medical and surgical treatments, the hospital

staff made physical examinations of 1,389 employees. Before enter- ing the service of the Government Printing Office, every appointee

must pass a physical examination by the office physician; likewise,,

every applicant for extension of retirement is given a similar examination. Other examinations are required from time to time as the

Medical Director may deem advisable. Periodical examinations are. made of apprentices to safeguard their health.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR REPORTS CLEANLINESS

The Medical and Sanitary Director also has charge of the sanitation of the entire plant, including the Cafeteria and its stocks of

food for employees. His report in this regard is as follows

It has been the policy of the present administration to improve the working

conditions of the plant, and many are the improvements that have been made.

It is difficult to realize that in 10 years there could be such a marked change

in an industrial plant. Up to that time little thought was given to working,

conditions from the employee's point of view. The workrooms were cleaned in a more or less careless way, the responsibility being left entirely to the cleaning

force. To-day, every man engaged in a supervisory capacity takes pride in keeping his section clean and in good condition. He has been taught that clean surroundings and good ventilation is conducive to good health and to more and

better production.
Annual Report of the Piihlic Printer 91

The machinery and equipment of the workrooms have been rearranged for a

iDetter " line up " for work, and in doing this sufficient space for cleanliness and

sanitation was considered. There has been considerable reconstructive work done in the Cafeteria ; new

refrigeration lias been installed, and, wherever possible, tile substituted for woodwork. This is a decided move toward sanitation. We are proud of our

Cafeteria. The food is first class and supplied at the lowest possible figure

compatible with cost and maintenance.

The removal of the Apprentice Section made it possible to install and equip a splendid recreation room, known as the Green Room, which in appointments

and comfort is not excelled in any industrial establishment in the country.

This room enables the employees to congregate during their lunch periods and

other times and get into close association with their fellows, which could not be possible without such a meeting place. This is the spirit of modern industry that is being carried out in this establishment. Every question as to health and comfort of the employee is given careful study.

We have a clean, healthful place to work, and a satisfied, efficient force. In ^n establishment the size of the Government Printing Office, with the volume of business handled, this can be accomplished only where there is harmony, effi- ciency, and cooperation.

Employees were excused 4,639 times on account of personal or family illness during 1931, an increase of 691 over the preceding year. The time thus lost amounted to 20,537 hours, all chargeable to the

-employees.

ANNUITIES AND INSURANCE

Twenty-four claims of employees for lost time due to injuries in line of duty were allowed by the United States Employees' Compensation Commission. The time lost on this account amounted to 1,026 days, for which the Government paid $3,136.56 in compensation

to employees of the Government Printing Office. There were 37 retirements from the Government Printing Office on account of disability during the fiscal year, bringing the total of

such retirements since the retirement law became effec^:iv6 in 1920 up

to 207. Of this number 12 have been reinstated, and 103 have died

since retirement.

The disability annuities paid up to September 30, 1931, amounted to $122,662.61. The largest sum paid to any one annuitant on account

of disability was $9,300.59. The maximum disability annuity, based on 30 years' service and a salary of $1,600 for five years, is $1,200

a year. The minimum annuity is $242.61.

Disability annuities are paid only to employees who have served

at least five years and who become totally disabled by reason of

disease or injury.

In case of death due to an injury received in line of duty, compensation ranging from 25 per cent to 66% per cent is paid to dependents, 35 per cent being allowed to a widow or widower, without

children, until death or remarriage.

Retirements on account of age numbered 146 in the fiscal year

1931. Of these, 37 were optional retirements under the act of May
92 Annual Report of the Public Printer

29, 1930, granting employees eligible for retirement at 65 or 70 years

the privilege of retiring at 63 or 68 if they have had 30 years of

service. Employees must have had at least 15 years of service before

they can retire for age. Age annuities are based on earnings and

length of service, with a maximum of $1,200 after 30 years' service.

Retirements for age and disability from 1920, when the act became

effective, to July 1, 1931, totaled 1,969. Other than the above-stated

sum of $422,662.61 paid to disability annuitants, the retirement division of the Pension Bureau is unable to report the total payments

to retired employees of the Government Printing Office. RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS BY EMPLOYEES

The records of the Government Printing Office show, however,

that its employees have contributed a total of $2,390,472.57 to the

retirement fund from 1920 to July 1, 1931. Under the present law,

3% per cent is deducted from the pay of employees for the retirement fund.

If an employee leaves the Government service or dies, his contributions are returned to him or his estate with interest at the rate of 4

per cent compounded. The largest return of an individual contribution by a Government Printing Office emploj^ee was $1,176.54.

On the death of an annuitant retired for age, the amount remaining

to the credit of his retirement contribution is paid to the dependents.

The most appealing cases of distress that have come to the atten- tion of the Public Printer are those of the families of employees who

died without adequate estates for the support of their dependents.

The small return of retirement compensation in most cases barely

pays the funeral expenses, which, by law, have first claim on these

meager funds.

Increasing experience with such sad cases has convinced the Public

Printer that Congress ought to provide some suitable form of pension

for the dependents of its civilian employees who have given the best

of their lives to the service of the Government.

GROUP LIFE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION

In an effort to meet this situation, at least partially, the Public

Printer encouraged employees to organize a Group Life Insurance

Association, which was chartered on May 1, 1931. The association

now has approximately 2,500 members, with a total insurance of

about $2,000,000 carried with a well-known company.

Up to January 1, 1932, 13 death claims, amounting to $7,500, have

been paid. The policies range from $250 to $1,000, based on age, with an average of $815. Employees are accepted as members without medical examination. After the charter roll was closed the
Annual Report of the Public Printer 93

maximum entrance age was fixed at 40 years, but this does not apply

to iiew employees.

Special credit for working out the details of the group insurance

plan and the success of the association is due to Mr. M. R. Speeiman,

Superintendent of Binding, and Mr. J. K. Wallace, Superintendent

of Accounts, who devoted many hours of their own time to study of

the proposals submitted by several insurance companies.

Mr. Speelman is the first president of the Group Insurance Association, the other officers being, vice president, Thurston G. Brown,

Chief of Delivery; secretary-treasurer, Ernest C. Mellor, Assistant

Chief Clerk ; directors—Miss Sarah Ambler, librarian ; Mr. T. Homer

Hall, machinist ; Capt. John E. Smith, monotype keyboard operator

;

and Mr. James K. Wallace, Superintendent of Accounts.

3 2 employees' relief ASSOCIATIONS

There are also 32 voluntary relief associations in the Government

Printing Office which pay sick and death benefits by collection of

nominal dues. These associations likewise serve as savings societies

by the annual return to members of dues in excess of other benefits

jjaid during the year. The memberships range from 33 to 1,235 for

each association. The total of 9,216 members reported by the 32

associations is due to the fact that many employees are members of more than one association.

The total death benefits paid during the last year by these associations amounted to $21,650, and the total sick benefits, $33,582.14.

The individual death benefit per unit is $250, and the sick benefit $10

per week for not exceeding six weeks. The cash refunds of collections

not required for death and sick benefi,ts amounted to $105,685 last year. 870 WAR \TETERANS AMONG EMPLOYEES

The interests of war veterans employed in the Government Print/'

ing Office are especially looked after by two units in the Unij^^d

Veterans of American Wars, with a total membership of 445./ On

January 1, 1932, there were 870 veterans employed in the Government

Printing Office, of whom 705 served in the World War, 89 in the

Spanish-American War, and 18 in both wars. Twenty per cent of

the men employed in the Government Printing Office are war vet- erans. Fourteen women employees are listed by the Civil Service

Commission as entitled to war-service preference.

The number of women on the rolls of the Government Printing

Office on January 1, 1932, was 1,001, an increase of 15 for the year. The number of men employed on that date was 4,042, an increase of

201 over the preceding year.
94 Annual Report of the Public Printer

CELEBRATION OF SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY

The seventieth anniversary of the establishment of the Government

Printing Office was celebrated on March 4, 1931, v^ith appropriate

ceremonies in Harding Hall, attended by distinguished guests and a capacity audience of nearly 2,000 employees.

Hon. George H. Moses, of New Hampshire, chairman of the congressional Joint Committee on Printing, presided over the program

and made an introductory address reviewing the history of the

Government Printing Office and referring especially to its accomplishments in the last 10 years. Senator Moses has been a staunch friend of the employees of the

Government Printing Office throughout his long and distinguished

service as chairman of the Joint Committee on Printing. His wholehearted support of every improvement for the benefit and comfort of

employees is sincerely appreciated, as was attested by the prolonged

applause which greeted his generous assurance of deep interest in the

continued development of the Government Printing Office. Mr. David Lawrence, the noted newspaper writer and president of

the United States Daily, also greatly interested the audience in his

discussion of the importance and the influence of Government publications. His address was timely and gave the employees renewed

pride in their work and the establishment that they had helped

advance to a foremost position on its seventieth anniversary.

The formal program for the exercises was as follows

Assembly Maech—American Legion Parker

G. P. O. Orchestra, W. C. Buckingham, Conductor Selection—The Lost CJiord. Sullivan

G. P. O. Chorus, G. L. Whelan, Conductor Inteemezzo—Cupid's Garden. Eugene

G. P. O. Orchestra Solo—Ah! Siveet Mystery of Life. Annie Laurie .Arranged by Lehman

Herbert

Miss Mary Apple

Mr, Christopher Tenley, Accompanist

Inteoductoey Remaeks. Senator George H. Moses

Chairman of Joint Committee on Printing Mr. David Lawrence

President of The United States Daily Addeess. Duet—Indian Daivn Zamnecnik

The Sweetest Story Ever Told. Stults

Miss Mary Apple, Contralto Miss Jean Munn, Soprano

Mr. Christopher Tenley, Accompanist Stae Spangled Bannee. G. P. O. Orchestra
Annual Report of the Public Printer 95

The guests of honor included Hon. Edward M. Beers, of Pennsylvania, chairman of the House Committee on Printing, and Maj.

Thomas Defrees, of Washington, son of the first Superintendent of

the Government Printing Office. Other guests of honor were the following employees, who have

had more than 50 years of service in the Government Printing Office

William A. Smith

William W. Maloney

Samuel Robinson

Miss Mary T. Spalding

Special guests included a large number of retired employees who

had been in the service of the Government Printing Office for 30 or more years. ESTABUSHMEXT OF GOVEItNMENT PRINTING OmCE

In this connection, it seems fitting to refer briefly to the historical

fact that the establishment of the Government Printing Office was

authorized by an act of Congress of June 23, 1860. The private

printing plant which the Government subsequently purchased for its future use did not come into actual possession of the Acting Superintendent of Public Printing until March 4, 1861.

Soon thereafter, President Lincoln appointed Hon. John D. Defrees, of Indiana, as the first Superintendent of the new Government

Printing Office. The original building, then known as the Public Printing Office,

together with all its printing machinery and material, cost the Government $135,000. This sum was paid to the former owner, Joseph

T. Crowell, by a check on the United States Treasurer dated March

2, 1861.

COMPARISOX OF OFFICE IX 1861 AND 19 31 The first Government Printing Office was housed in a four-story

building containing 60,000 square feet of floor space. The present

buildings, costing approximately $5,000,000 and containing printing

machinery, equipment, and materials valued at $5,910,000, have

958,403 square feet of floor space. In 1861, the Government Printing Office had about 350 employees,

and on its seventieth anniversary the enrollment totaled 4,936. The

wages of printers and pressmen in 1861 was $14 a week, and in 1931

their average earnings were $55 per week.

During the 70 years, 11 persons have had charge of the Government Printing Office under presidential appointments, first as Superintendent of Public Printing, then as Congressional Printer, and

finally as Public Printer. The latter title was prescribed by Congress in 1874. 82246—32 7
96 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The longest service during the 70 years was rendered by Hon. John

D. Defrees, who had charge of the Government Printing Office for

12^2 years in three different periods between 1861 and 1882. The

present Public Printer holds the record for the longest continuous

service.

PUBLIC PRINTERS DURING THE 7 0 YEARS

The service records of the eleven executives of the Government

Printing Office are as follows

JOHN D. DEFREES

Of Indiana

Appointed Superintendent of Public Printing by President Lincoln. Served from March 23, 1861, to August 31, 1866. Elected Congressional Printer by the Senate of the United States. Served from March 1, 1867, to April 14, 1869. Appointed Public Printer by President Hayes.

Served from June 1, 1877, to April 14, 1882. CORNELIUS WENDELL

Of New York

Appointed Superintendent of Public Printing by President Johnson.

Served from September 1, 1866, to February 28, 1867. ALMON M. CLAPP

Of New York

Elected Congressional Printer by the Senate of the United States. Served from April 15, 1869, to July 31, 1876. Appointed Public Printer by President Grant. Served from August 1, 1876, to May 30, 1877. STERLING P. ROUNDS

Of Illinois

Appointed Public Printer by President Arthur. Served from April 15, 1882, to September 12, 1886. THOMAS E. BENEDICT

Of New York

Appointed Public Printer by President Cleveland. Served from September 13, 1886, to May 6, 1889; and

Served from May 3, 1894, to March 30, 1897. FRANK W. PALMER

Of Illinois Appointed Public Printer by President Harrison.

Served from May 7, 1889, to May 2, 1894. Appointed Public Printer by President McKinley.

Served from March 31, 1897, to September 8, 1905.
Annual Report of the Public Printer 97

CHARLES A. STILLINGS

Of Massachusetts

Appointed Public Printer by President Roosevelt. Served from November 28, 1905, to February 5, 1908, JOHN S. LEECH

Of Illinois Appointed Public Printer by President Roosevelt. Served from June 9, 1908, to November 30, 1908. SAMUEL B. DONNELLY

Of New Yoek '

' Appointed Public Printer by President Roosevelt. Served from December 1, 1908, to June 26, 1913. CORNELIUS FORD

Of New Jeksey

Appointed Public Printer by President Wilson.

Served from June 26, 1913, to April 4, 1921. GEORGE H. CARTER

Of Iowa

Appointed Public Printer by President Harding, March 29, 1921. Began service, April 5, 1921.

' Nomination submitted to Senate, April 14, 1921. Confirmed by Senate, April 14, 1921. PUBLIC PRINTER'S TENTH ANNIVERSARY

In concluding this the eleventh report which the present Public

Printer has submitted to Congress on the operations of the Government Printing Office for the fiscal years ended June 30, 1921 to 1931,

inclusive, it is gratifying to record some of the expressions of good

will which came, along with a profusion of flowers and personal

greetings, to cheer his tenth anniversarj^ on April 5, 1931.

One greeting that was especially pleasing is the following message

of felicitations, signed by all the chairmen of the employees' chapels

in the day sections of the Printing Division

Greetings : Hon. George H. Carter, Public Printer. The employees of the day printing sections convey to you their felicitations upon the completion of the tenth anniversary as Public Printer of the Govern- ment Printing Office. The atmosphere of this big print shop is permeated with that feeling of con- tentment that can not be found elsewhere. This condition was brought about during the past 10 years by your wise

counsel and leadership, and while we can not enumerate all the benefits we

have received, we want to especially refer to the wonderful transformation of
98 Annual Report of the Public Printer

the eighth floor, which was a garret, full of junk, etc., upon your first anniversary, now a wonderful Cafeteria and recreation floor which can not be excelled anywhere in the United States for artistic beauty and comfort for the employees.

All of these conditions and many others, we have been beneficiaries without

costing us one cent, and we feel we owe you more than can ever be repaid by

letters, resolutions, etc., for these pleasant and harmonious surroundings.

As you are chairman of the largest printers' chapel, under one roof, in the

world, it is our wish that you remain as such for many more anniversaries. Geo. G. White, Robert E. Henatilt,

Chairman Hand Section. Chairman Mono Hand Section. Uriel C. Hays, George F. Hooven,

Chairman Proof Section. Chairman Sttperintendenfs Office. Robert J. Mears, Ira B. Priddy,

Chairman Job Section. Chairman Patent Section. A. M. Forhester, Henry E. Matheny,

Chairman Lino Section. Chairman Accounts Division. Percy S. Anderson, Francis J. McCarthy, Jr., Chairman Library Branch. Chairman Keyboard Section. The following resolution, which was presented in beautifully en- grossed form, the handiwork of their fellow craftsmen, is also greatly

cherished by the Public Printer because it came from a wonderfully

loyal group whose whole-hearted support and devotion to duty have

helped make possible whatever success the Government Printing

Office may have achieved in the last 10 years

In Appreciation

Whereas on April 5, 1921, Hon. George H. Carter was appointed Public Printer

of the United States by the first printer President, Hon. Warren G. Harding ; and

Whereas due to his initiative, determination, perseverance, and unfaltering

loyalty to an ideal, we have witnessed, through progressive changes, the growth

of an establishment which is now, in equipment, productiveness, and efficiency, the world's greatest printing office ; marked improvement in standard and quality of work, performed in orderly rearranged workrooms which provide the maximum in convenience and sanitation ; the provision for the comfort and

enjoyment of its thousands of employees, by the inception and development of Harding Hall, a model Cafeteria, and recreational features of the highest order

the revival of apprentice instruction through a medium which excels all other

allied printing-trades schools in size, curricula, and intensive vocational train- ing; the creation of a technical agency whose research work is a valued con- tribution to the printing industry ; the inauguration of a system of wage adjustment which automatically works for mutual welfare and definitely ended the

periodical bickerings which characterized archaic procedure; the manifestation

of his ever-present solicitude for the welfare and happiness of all employees,

whom he has always treated on a fairer basis than that of exploitation—whom

he regards as citizens rather than as commodities—as exemplified during his incumbency by substantial wage increases ; and

Whereas on this the tenth anniversary of his continuous service, under three

Presidents, as chief executive of the United States Government Printing Office,

it is timely and fitting that the associates and coworkers of the Public Printer during the decade of his stewardship honor the man and express admiration of his accomplishments: Therefore, be it
Annual Beport of the Public Printer 99

Resolved, That we, tlie undersigned, on behalf of the oflEicials and employees

of the United States Government Printing Office, extend to Hon. George H.

Carter heartiest congratulations on the tenth anniversary of his incumbency as Public Printer of the United States; express admiration of his rare executive

ability, his sterling worth, and his signal success in taking the hurdles along

life's highway ; and sincerely trust that in this and the future years he may be vouchsafed a continuance of that satisfaction and happiness which is ever the reward of well-doing.

John Geeene W. A. Mitchell,

Jlpnufi/ PuhlifJ Pt'i )i fp.f Kjw^y^i f^uTtprl'vifpndpnt VI t/v\/ ivix'\j tv V of\j Plnnnin fi

I

JL i/vt /I'll t'/t-j/

Maky a. Tate, H. B. Barnhart,

Assistant to the Puhlic PrinteT. Superintendent of Printing

E. S. MOORHEAD, Beet E. Baie,

Production Manager. Superintendent of Presswork.

H. H. Wright, M. R. Speelman,

Chief Clerk. Superintendent of Binding.

J. K. Wallace, E. G. Whali.,

Superintendent of Accounts. Superintendent of Platemaking.

E. E. Emerson, E. A. HusE,

Purchasing Agent. Night Production Manager.

B. L. Wehmhoff, A. E. Hanson,

Technical Director. Superintendent of Construction

D. P. Bush, M. D., and Maintenance.

Medical and Sanitary Director. W. H. Keevin,

Alton P. Tisdel, Storekeeper and Traffic Manager.

Superintendent of Documents. To all these loyal associates and the host of other good friends

who likewise have expressed their good will, the Public Printer is sincerely grateful and extends to them his most hearty thanks.

Under authority of the act approved February 20, 1931 (Public,

No. 691, 71st Cong.), the Public Printer has discontinued the printing of such other and additional reports for the fiscal year ended

June 30, 1931, as have usually been submitted to Congress concern- ing 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. Respectfully submitted.

DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS

STATISTICAL TABLES

STATISTICAL TABLES

Compiled by the Supeeintendent of Accounts and Budget Officer

Table 1,

Resources and lidbilities under appropriations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1931

EEdOURCES

Appropriation for working capital $2, 500, 000. 00 Appropriations for night messenger service 3, 600. 00 Allotment under act of July 3, 1930 416. 70 Payments from all sources for printing and binding 11, 837, 604. 53 Refunds from various sources 365. 98

Bills receivable July 1, 1931, for printing and binding fur- nished 208,840.88

$14, 550, 828. 09 Appropriation for salaries, office of Superintendent of Documents 524, COO. 00 Appropriation for general expenses, office of Superintendent of Documents.- 246, 000. 00 Appropriation for equipment for Government Printing Office Building i. . . 200, 000. 00 Total resources available for fiscal year 1931 . $15,520,828.09 LIABILITIES Working capital and repayments for printing and binding: Disbursed to June 30, 1931 $13, 015, 713. 75 Outstanding obligations July 1, 1931 1, 472, 715. 33 Total disbursed and outstanding obligations. 14, 488, 429. 08

Salaries, office of Superintendent of Documents:

Disbursed to June 30, 1931 477, 634. 18 Outstanding obligations July 1, 1931 21, 361. 57 Total disbursed and outstanding obligations 498, 995. 75 General expenses, office of Superintendent of Documents:

Disbursed to June 30, 1931 145, 364. 01 Outstanding obligations July 1, 1931 100, 437. 99 Total disbursed and outstanding obligations 245, 802. 00 Equipment, Government Printing Office Building: Disbursed to June 30, 1931 1 00, 865. 56 Outstanding obligations July 1, 1931 98, 253. 44 Total disbursed and outstanding obligations 199, 119. 00 Total disbursed to June 30, 1931 13, 739, 577. 50 Total outstanding obligations July 1, 1931 1, 692, 768. 33 Total disbursed and outstanding obligations. 15, 432, 345. 83 Unobligated balance (subject to 10 per cent over or imder on outstanding orders) 2 gg^ 482. 26 Total 15,520,828.09

1 Appropriated in 1929 and available until used; none used in 1930.

* Includes $881, equipment, Government Printing Office Building, available in 1932. 103
104 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Table 2.Summary of financial transactions in fiscal year ended June SO, 1931,

covering appropriations for fiscal years 1929, 1930, and 1931 APPROPRIATION FOR 1929

Resources Disburse- ments Unexpendedbalance July

1, 1931

Public printing and binding: Unexpended balance July 1, 1930 $458, 450. 30

1, 298. 63

Credits to appropriations by payments from all sources

for printing and binding and other receipts from miscellaneous sources Disbursed for material and supplies Total

$30, 488. 00 459 748. 93 30 488. 00 $429 260. 93

Salaries, oflBice of Superintendent of Documents: Unexpended balance July 1, 1930 22, 652. 76 22, 652. 76 General expenses, office of Superintendent of Documents: Unexpended balance July 1, 1930- 802. 65 Disbursed

Total -

645.08

802. 65 645. 08 157. 57 Grand total appropriation Unobligated balance of 1929 appropriation on June 30, 1931

483, 204. 34 31, 133. 08 452, 071. 26

452, 071. 26 APPROPRIATION FOR 1930

Public printing and binding: Unexpended balance July 1, 1930 $788, 078. 72

696, 315. 83

Credits to appropriations by payments from all sources

for printing and binding and other receipts from miscellaneous sources Disbursed for labor $387, 369. 58

516, 696. 41

86, 725. 62

303, 688. 69

Disbursed for paper Disbursed for lithographing and engraving Disbursed for material and supplies. Total — — 1, 384, 394. 55 1, 293, 480. 20 $90, 914. 35 Equipment, Government Printing Office Building: Available July 1, 1930 200, 000. 00 Disbursed . 100, 865. 56 Total -- 200, 000. 00 100, 865. 56 1 99, 134. 44

Salaries, office of Superintendent of Documents: Unexpended balance July 1, 1930. 45, 456. 57 Disbursed 22, 475. 03 Total - 45, 456. 57 22,475.03 22, 981. 64 General expenses, office of Superintendent of Documents: Unexpended balance July 1, 1930 68, 924. 37 Disbursed 67, 837. 27 Total-.-. 68, 924. 37 67, 837. 27 1, 087. 10 Grand total appropriation... .-. - 1, 698,775.49 1, 484, 658. 06 214,117. 43 Deduct for outstanding obligations - 102, 966. 53 Unobligated balance of 1930 appropriation on June 30, 1931 » 111, 150. 90

» Includes $881 for equipment for Government Printing Office Building, available for orders in 1932.
Statistical Tables 105

Table 2.

Summary of financial transactions in fiscal year ended June SO, 1931,

covering appropriations for fiscal years 1929, 1930, and 1931—Continued

APPROPRIATION FOR 1931

Resources Disburse- ments Unexpended

balance July

1, 1931

Public printing and binding: Appropriation for working capital $2, 500, 000. 00

3, 600. 00

416. 70

12, 046, 811. 39

Appropriation for night messenger service . . . . Allotment under deficiency act of July 3, 1930 Creiits to appropriation by payments and bill receiv- able from all sources for printing and binding, and

other receipts from miscellaneous sources Disbursed for labor $9, 195, 214. 37

2, 333, 624. 05

73, 905. 97

1, 412, 969. 36

Disbursed for paper - . Disbursed for lithographing and engraving .....

Disbursed for material and supplies Total 14. 550, 828. 09 13, 015, 713. 75 $1, 535, 114. 34

Salaries, office of Superintendent of Documents:

Available . . . . . 524, 000. 00 Disbursed 477, 634. 18 Total 524, 000. 00 477, 634. 18 46, 365. 82 General expenses, office of Superintendent of Documents:

Available 246, 000. 00 Disbursed 145, 364. 01 Total 246, 000. 00 145, 364. 01 100, 635. 99 Equipment, Government Printing Office Building: i Available 200, 000. 00 Disbursed.. 100, 865. 56 Total ... 200, 000. 00 100, 865. 56 99, 134. 44 Grand total appropriation . .. . 15, 520, 828. 09 13, 739, 577. 50 1, 781, 250. 59 Deduct for outstanding obligations ... ... 1, 692, 768. 33 Unobligated balance of 1931 appropriations on June 30, 1931 2 88, 482. 26 Total unobligated balances (subject to change by 10 per cent over and under on outstanding obligations)

1929 452, 071. 26

3 110. 269. 90

3 87, 601. 26

649, 942. 42

1930

1931Total RECAPITULATION—.ILL APPROPRIATIONS

Total paid for labor < $9, 582, 583. 95 Total paid for material and supplies 1, 747, 146. 05 Total paid for lithographing and engraving 159, 631. 49 Total paid for paper 2, 850, 320. 46 Total paid for printing and binding 14, 339, 681. 95 Total paid for salaries, office of Superintendent of Documents « 500, 109. 21 Total paid for general expenses, office of Superintendent of Documents 213, 846. 36 Total paid for equipment, Government Printing Office Building 100, 865. 56 Grand total 15, 154, 503. 08

1 Appropriated February 28, 1929, and available until used; none used in 1930.

2 Includes $881, equipment. Government Printing Office Building, available in 1932.

3 $881 has been d^ucted on account of equipment, Government Printing Office Building, as it is a con- tinuing appropriation and thus available for orders in 1932.

* Includes amount paid to retirement fund $338, 678. 13

' Includes amount paid to retirement fund 17, 078. 66 Total paid to retirement fund 355, 756. 79
106 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Table 3.

Moneys received during fiscal year 1931, the source, and Treasury deposit

1930 Deposited to the credit of appropriation for public printing and binding: For printing and binding for departments and bureaus $587, 621. 87 For miscellaneous printing and binding 5, 396. 24 Refunds 101.50 Auditor's disallowance 3.25 Total $593,122.86

1931 Deposited to the credit of appropriation for public printing and binding: For printing and binding for departments and bureaus 11, 075, 362. 54 For miscellaneous printing and binding 78, 611. 80 Refunds—. 300.96 Auditor's disallowance 16. 16 Total 11,154,291.46 Deposited to miscellaneous receipts: Sale of waste paper 34, 091. 07 Salvage, waste wood, metal, etc 6, 905. 48 Sale of documents 218, 848. 76 Total 259,845.31 Grand total 12,007,259.63 Table 4.

Production of principal items entering into printing and binding in fiscal years 1929, 1930, and 1931

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 seat 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 rebinding, etc do..

1929

12, 715, 330. 80

58, 860

54, 269

75, 919

2, 226, 741, 000 251,514

10, 820, 451

1, 820, 181, 228

1, 040, 807

153, 427

512, 438, 770

2, 225, 320, 830

378, 361, 054

154, 190, 077

22, 179, 086

45, 017, 756

10, 547, 504

44, 992, 890

1, 308, 867

457, 659

2, 743, 084

1, 668, 704

195, 664

26, 869, 442

58, 600, 715

148, 993, 935

8, 189, 768

3, 573, 051

93, 376

1930

14, 096, 520. 25

62, 303

55, 033

78, 999

2, 473, 567, 100

258, 299

12, 448, 269

1, 731, 266, 760

1, 055, 312

173, 742

586, 530, 941

2, 364, 948, 413

452, 673, 407

159. 676, 789

29, 420, 080

51, 738, 999

12, 638, 296

56, 041, 685

1, 724, 386

510, 703

3, 424, 186

2, 143, 025

294, 670

34, 997, 757

66, 015, 602

161, 098, 129

13, 147, 042

3, 972, 821

98, 963

1931

15, 246, 440. 75

64, 938

59, 661

86, 303

2, 507, 813, 400

282, 197

11, 438,314

1, 485, 384, 120

1, 060, 127

163, 558

688, 768, 017

2, 393, 483, 181

396, 746, 323

150, 538, 801

23, 627, 442

49, 371, 739

13, 682, 217

55, 809, 139

1, 131, 092

243, 804

2, 711, 569

1, 474, 904

136, 809

40, 336, 332

51,873, 305

143, 070, 534

11, 979. 426

4, 656, 283

101, 536

1 Includes $700,000 estimated labor and material on uncompleted jobs.
Statistical TaUes 107

Table 5.

Charges for work and to whom delivered during the fiscal year ended June SO, 1931

Congress - $2,499,995.34 Work ordered by Members of Congress: Miscellaneous charges. . - 223. 09 Documents, reports, bills, etc 17, 742. 86 Speeches 61,257.91 Private orders for electrotypes 11. 05 Superintendent of Documents. 720, 600. 38 State 250,659.39 Treasury 941,489.95 War 684,459.76 ^avy 747,348.71

Interior 249, 138. 63 Geological Survey 139, 198. 21 Smithsonian Institution 93, 721. 81

Justice 341, 234. 17 Post Office 1, 895, 680. 02 Agriculture 1, 080, 021. 83 Commerce 1,747,232.67 Patent Office 1, 147, 444. 86 Labor 239, 644. 20 Library of Congress 387, 912. 12 White House 6, 629. 14 Pan American Union 40, 906. 66 Supreme Court:

District of Columbia 4, 327. 91 United States 3, 900. 60 Court of Claims 38, 499. 58 Interstate Commerce Commission 232, 647. 64

Civil Service Commission 60, 787. 16 Geographic Board 473. 62 General Accounting Office 78, 396. 18 AUen Property Custodian 1,460.83 Bureau of the Budget 34, 144. 48

District of Columbia 117, 816. 53 Employees' Compensation Commission 8, 067. 22 Federal Reserve Board 46, 637. 63 Federal Board for Vocational Education 17, 403. 65 Federal Trade Commission... 47,381.43 National -\dvisorv Committee for Aeronautics 25, 040. 04 Panama Canal 64, 163. 31 Railroad .\d ministration 264.48 Board of Mediation 1, 038. 85 Shipping Board 42, 262. 18 Tariff Commission 17,013.43 Veterans' Administration 253, 217. 98 War Finance Corporation 52. 78 Public Buildings and Pubhc Parks 6, 747. 65 Arhngton Memorial Bridge Commission 547.06 American Battle Monuments Commission 176. 79 Bureau of Efficiency 539.22 Commission of Fine Arts 264. 06 Federal Power Commission 3, 405. 06 National Forest Reservation Commission 239.02 Board of Tax Appeals 42,397.47 National Capital Park and Planning Commission 1,643. 46 Inland Waterways Commission 489.36 George Washington Bicentennial Commission 24, 179. 79 Federal Radio Commission 11,675.70 Pan American Sanitary Bureau. 15, 647. 07 War Claims Arbiter 187. 99 George Rogers Clark Sesquicentennial Commission 27. 12 Personnel Classification Board 3, 330. 09 National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement 7,055. 32 National Academy of Sciences 264. 34 American Samoan Commission.. 4,018. 66 Yorktown Sesquicentennial Commission 162.94 Federal Farm Board 41, 313. 72 Court of Customs and Patent Appeals 4, 688. 70 Total 14,546,440.75
108 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Hi

mm if immmm n \Bm

IP 1

S :SSSS

isgsgss iliigiiiliiisiiiis is ^

II

m mam mmmmmmm

i

I
Statistical TaMes 109

o •2ii -ago

2 2g^§2 S

CT} QO iO T-^ c<i 00 00

o lo

t'. CO O

c3 g o a o

-=1 u-c; O o a

t>. t- •>*i CO .-I o «o o

CO »o

« S M

(N O CO C4

C<i M r-^

t>- IM IM -tti .-I 00 <M 00 00 r-itOOCOl-H CO .-( T»5 oi Tt< c4 oc" o c> «d (NutOCOlO 00 lO

CO CO CO 1>- 05

i-Too oi't^^io oT o (M CC (M t> O <0

CO iC

r- 00

CO oT

® =^ ^ O CO «o C5 «D rH T-H OO" 00 >£i o C5 o> o oc O C<1 1—I CO C0C0 05"Tf<"lo" r-T (N ^ 1-1

?5 ^

CO ^ CO 1—' Oi ^ 'H CD OCSOCMO (M OS CO r-i 00 r~ oc 00 00

CO O CO

: —I iC O O CO

' o »o o o JO »n

(Tot O « ^ O D.

1^ >0 '-^ (M O tI O UO t~- CO o (N o; CO •^CO t^-TlTo 00 ^lOCOCOt^ rH S « c o s 3 s

(N lO lO < cd oo' T-I c 0(M t- Ol

»-i t. O t- a

lO O Cft CO CO i-l lOOO CD^OO

C5 t>.' CO 05 O

rH 05 CO d» t>. 05

CO >a< o 00 ^

<*<0(Mf-ICO

oS UO t>^ (N >rf

Tf e<i —I w >o

C3 •as 5

^ 00 03 o o 00 CO r-( 00 CO

t-- 05 CO (N O

00 O O lO

rH COOC CO

05 oo

-H 00

55 ?

e<i CO

Cvl >o

CO IM O lO (N CO 1-1 ^ I ^ ^ ^

—> lO

Tt< o CO 00

II!- S M aj a 4)

1 h3 f

« ^ O C/3

I S 03 m a

• 5 cj (I_ CO ^

o o o 3r: S « c >>::3 a 2- ^-£380^ OtfC^O O W m O pq
110 Annual Report of the Public Printer

Table 8.Inventory of quantity and cost of paper and envelopes, material and supplies, and machinery and equipment on hand June SO, 1931

Description Sheets Pounds Cost

Paper and. envelopes: Printing 16, 076, 000 $119, 600. 94

55, 904. 50

44, 822. 22

1, 227. 64 Do 1, 426, 000 Mimeograph 9, 513, 000 United States money-order writing 107, 000 Safety writing 145, 000 982. 28

40, 012. 40

16, 020. 86

14, 680. 78

38, 578. 04

164, 862. 40

72, 958. 80

30, 652. 46

21, 219. 27

4, 940. 00

11, ODO. UU

7, 829. 20

6, 8d8. 20

6, 903. 00

33, 575. 00

5, 360. 60

3, 983. 00

28, 798. 70

10, 141. 75

2, 185. 10

17, 182. 40

21, 949. 01

Writing 6, 823^ 000 Do 315, 000 M!ap 730, 000

6, 524, 000

18, 327, 000

4, 057^ 000

932, 000

1, 453', 000

1, 379, 000

Bond

Ledger

Index Cover

]\d!anila Do 238, 000 KraftDo

1, 450, 000

126, 000 Manila tag board . 409, 000 Do 322, 000 Cardboard 214, 000

Bristol board 498 000 Do 599, 000 [Miscellaneous 870, 000 Do... 20,000 Binders board 314, 600 Envelopes ..- Total paper and envelopes 779, 806. 55 Other material and supplies:

IVIiscellaneous supplies 237, 447. 61

16, 585. 11

8, 842. 49

3,513.67

10, 233. 07

Book cloth Ink ingredients.. Ink (made in Government Printing Office) Leather

Total, material and supplies 276, 621. 95

Total, material and supplies, paper and envelopes Machinery and equipment

1, 056, 428. 50

4, 853, 892. 10

5, 910, 320. 60
Statistical Tables 111

Table 9.

Publications, including annual reports and documents, printed on req- uisition during the fiscal year ended June SO, 1931, for Congress and Government

departments and independent establishments

Copies Congress (does not include Congressional Record, bills, or private orders) 5, 969, 784 Agriculture -- -.- 29, 866, 506 Commerce -- - 11, 319, 540 War - .- 9,851,411 Superintendent of Documents. 9, 757, 162 State - 963,309 Treasury - - 3, 658, 112 Navy- 3,306,137

Interior. - 2, 065, 768

Justice.. 531,426 Post Office 1,564,349 Labor 1,854,971 Smithsonian Institution 153, 280 Library of Congress 140, 333 Executive Office - 64,795 Pan American Union 188,861 Supreme Court:

District of Columbia.. 674 United States 275 Court of Claims.. 6, 758 Bureau of Efficiency 820 Federal Power Commission 3,668

Interstate Commerce Commission 2, 074, 368

Civil Service Commission. 223,353 Geographic Board 13,802 General Accounting 0ffice 13, 526 Alien Property Custodian. 1,826

District of Colimibia 203,707 Employees' Compensation Commission 19,510 Veterans' Administration 91,844 Federal Board for Vocational Education 153,572 Federal Reserve Board 592,340 Federal Trade Commission 82, 526 National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics 46,067 Panama Canal 8,828 Railroad Administration 1, 020 Shipping Board 372,490

Tariff C ommission 26, 1 15 Board of Mediation 3, 003 Bureau of the Budget 6,452 Public Buildings and Public Parks 537 Board of Tax Appeals 13, 658 Pan American Sanitary Bureau 65, 500 Federal Radio Commission 18, 646 Inland Waterways Corporation 3,000 National Capital Park and Planning Commission 2,000 Federal Farm Board 2, 767, 754 Personnel Classification Board 2, 000 National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement 19,099 George Washington Bicentennial Commission 419,350 Court of Customs and Patent Appeals.. 3, 750 Miscellaneous 7, 154 Total - 88,524,736 Table 10.

Receipts from miscellaneous sales during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1931

Condemned material, machinery, etc $248. 05 Waste wood 773. 62 Waste metal 4,696.02 Waste paper. -- 34,091.07 Waste gold .- 1,146.81 Total.. - 40,955.57 82246—32 8

DIVISION OF TESTS AND TECHNICAL CONTROL

REPORT OF THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

113

REPORT OF THE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

To the Public Peintee : The following is the report of the Division of Tests and Technical

Control for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1931.

The total number of samples tested during the year was 8,050, a decrease of 4.4 per cent from the number tested last year. Following

is a comparative tabulation of the materials tested during the fiscal years 1930 and 1931

1930 1931

Paper and envelopes.. . . - ..... . . ... . . 5, 583 700

91

1, 119

36 214

8639

76 109 365

5, 184 869

65 900

34 249

48

5387

97 464

Textiles Bookbinding leather . Metals

...

... ... ._. . Glue

Ink making materials Inks -. ... . _ . . .... ....

Oils and greases . . _ _. Gasoline .. •Chemicals . ... .. ... ....

Miscellaneous . . . ... ._ ... .. . Total 8,418 8, 050 Four hundred and twent3-five deliveries were rejected for non- compliance with specifications. Of these rejections, 334 were of

paper and 62 of envelopes, the remainder being miscellaneous

materials.

DETEKMINATION OF PAPER ACIDITY

The cooperative research with the Bureau of Standards and the

Bureau of Chemistr}^ and Soils on methods of determination of j)H

values and total acidity in paper mentioned in last year's report has

been continued.

Since the quantity of paper in the original samples covered by the

preliminary report was found to be insufficient, a new set of samples

consisting of 100 per cent rag ledger, 100 per cent rag machine-finish

book, 50 per cent rag machine-finish book, sulphite bond, kraft

wrapping, and newsprint was selected for study.

A progress report on the work presented at the meeting of the

Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry in Erie, Pa.,

in September, 1930, has been published in bulletin form. A con- ference with the cooperating laboratories is planned for the near

future to determine the remaining phases to be covered. The study

will be completed during the year.

115
116 Annual Report of the Public Printer

DETERIORATION OF SULPHITE PAPERS

The question of comparative rates of deterioration of sulphite

papers made from all bleached pulp and those containing varying

percentages of unbleached pulp arose during the year with ref- erence to a recommendation by this office to the Employing Bookbinders of America in connection with specifications for book end

paper. Most authorities are of the opinion that sulphite papers

containing unbleached pulp deteriorate more rapidly than those

composed of bleached pulp, the comparative rate of deterioration

being somewhat in proportion to the percentage of unbleached pulp.

Some maintain, however, that both bleached and unbleached sulphite

papers deteriorate at practically the same rate. A search of the literature disclosed that practically no data are

available covering this subject. A cooperative program was arranged

with the Bureau of Standards, which has made several lots of sul- phite paper containing varying percentages of bleached and unbleached pulps. The two laboratories are making a study by different methods, covering the rate of deterioration of the different

samples under varying conditions of storage. Microscopical, physical, and chemical tests are being made periodically on each set of

samples. This work will proceed until definite data are obtained on

the samples stored undel* normal conditions.

KRAFT PAPER

The research on kraft paper mentioned in last year's report has

been completed and published as Government Printing Office Technical Bulletin No. 12, A Study of Methods of Evaluation of Kraft

Paper.

BINDERS BOARD

A study of binders board has been made in cooperation with the

Employing Bookbinders of America to ascertain the quality of

boards supplied to the bookbinding industry. Two sets of samples were obtained for test. The first set was composed of samples secured in 1929 from seven manufacturers of binders board and also samples taken from deliveries to the Government Printing Office. The latter were purchased

under specifications covering physical characteristics, such as size,

weight, thickness, density, and bursting strength. This set comprised four samples of so-called " best quality " or tar board and

15 samples of No. 2 quality binders board, both sized and unsized,

in Nos. 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 boards, size 25 by 30 inches to a bundle of approximately 50 pounds.

The second set of samples was furnished in 1931 at the request

of the research division of the Employing Bookbinders of America

by seven manufacturers and were said to be duplicates of the samples

which the Binders Board Manufacturers Association had tested at the Bureau of Standards. This set consisted of a total of 35 samples

of commercial boards in Nos. 18, 20, 22, 25, and 30 boards, size 26

by 32 inches, to a bundle of approximately 50 pounds.
Report of the Technical Director 117

The second set of samples was tested for number of sheets to bundle, weight of bundle, density, thickness, bursting strength, and

bending strength. A comparative study of the various tests is now

being made.

The work so far indicates that in general the binders board supplied to the bookbinding industry is a variable material and that

there is not a sufficient degree of uniformity in quality and particularly in conformance to dimensions.

A study is being made of a considerable number of other materials,

including laminated board, wall board, special-process board, backing board, fiber case board, pasted chip board, and cornstalk board

obtained from the manufacturers for this study. The samples have

been tested for number of sheets to the bundle, weight of bundle,

density, thickness, bursting strength, and bending strength.

TABULATING CARDS

The auxiliary attachment for printing colored identification stripes on tabulating cards, which was designed last year in the laboratory

and built in the machine shop, was improved to provide a positive

drive. This has eliminated the occasional slipping of the roller on

the press, which caused unstriped sections on the cards.

Some difficulty was experienced with curling of the cards, due to the application of the colored stripes. The inks used at first were

aqueous solutions of dyes and the curling was caused by the absorption of the water by the cards. Research was conducted to develop

a formula for an ink which would not cause the cards to curl. After

a number of experiments an ink was developed which contains no

water. This ink has been in use for several months with satisfactory

results. Any desired color stripes a,re now printed on tabulating

cards manufactured by the Government Printing Office. To insure that all tabulating cards are within the specified limits

for thickness, a magnetic thickness gage has been installed on the new slitting machine. This gage not only records the thickness of

the paper to the nearest one ten-thousandth inch, but stops the slit- ting machine whenever the paper is above or below the specified

range of thickness.

ENVELOPES

The experience of the Government Printing Office during the past

few years in the purchase and use of kraft envelopes indicates that

the quality of No. 2 kraft paper would meet the ordinary requirements of the Government service. Recommendation was therefore

made to the Joint Committee on Printing that the specifications for

kraft envelopes be changed to provide for No. 2 instead of No. 1 quality kraft. No trouble has been experienced with the envelopes

furnished under the changed specifications.

Envelopes purchased by the office during the year totaled 52,-

245,560, an increase of 1,049,471, or 2 per cent over last year. Of

these 6,496,060 were rejected. The rejections amounted to 12.4 per

cent as compared with 16.3 per cent last year. Seventy-eight per cent of the total number of envelopes rejected were included in 17 rejections. These rejections were mainly on
118 Annual Report of the Publie Printer

kraft envelopes for deficiency in folding endurance, and on white

sulphite writing envelopes for nonconformance to the standard

sample in color. The four largest rejections covered 2,880,000 envelopes. These re- jections, together with a number of others involving smaller quantities, were made on deliveries received before March 1, 1931, under

specifications calling for No. 1 kraft. There were no rejections of

kraft envelopes on deliveries after March 1, when the specifications

required No. 2 kraft.

Almost 1,000,000 white sulphite writing envelopes were rejected

due to their being off color. GLUCOSE-GLYCOL PASTE

The glucose-glycol paste which was developed in the Government

Printing Office and mentioned in last year's report, has been used

throughout the year. This paste has been found to eliminate the

warping of book covers provided the covers are flat at the start. Over 20,000 pounds was used by the Bindery Division during the year. When used on flexible jobs, considerable improvement was noticed. It sticks to imitation leather much better than ordinary

flour paste, and no preliminary washing or sizing of the leather is required.

Similar reports have been received from members of the Employing Bookbinders of America, and at least one paste manufacturer

had added it to his list of products.

BRONZE STAMPING LEAF

The study of bronze flat and roll leaf described in the Annual Report for the fiscal year 1927 has been completed in cooperation with

the Employing Bookbinders of America under the research associate plan.

Stampings of numerous samples of bronze leaf were exposed to low concentration of hydrogen-sulphide gas to direct sunlight and to indirect light. The results checked those obtained and reported in

1927, but corroborative data were obtained and the most satisfactory

concentration of gas was determined.

Any of the three methods of testing gave results indicative of the

service which may be expected of bronze leaf and checked well with

each other. The hydrogen-sulphide test was completed in 17 hours.

The sunlight-exposure test was continued for 16 weeks. Some of

the test samples in this test tarnished in less than 2 weeks, while

others remained untarnished during the entire test period. The

samples exposed to indirect light tarnished the slowest. The poorest

samples tarnished within 13 weeks, while the majority of the samples were still in good shape after 1 j^ear. It was shown that, in general, bronze roll leaf is not equal to flat leaf in resistance to tarnishing, and that the protective coating on

the bronze leaf is the determining factor in the corrosion resistance

of the stamped work.

Considerable interest in the work has been expressed by manufacturers of bronze leaf, all of whom have given hearty cooperation.
Report of the Technical Director 119

Judging from the number of requests received from manufacturers

for tests, it is evident that they are taking steps to improve their

products. A preliminary report on the work has been made to the

research division of the Employing Bookbinders of America, and

a complete report is in preparation.

Work has been started on a representative set of samples of book

cloth submitted by nearly all manufacturers of this material. The

information obtained from these tests is to be used as a basis for

standard specifications covering the physical qualities of as many

grades as found necessary. TYPE METALS

During the fiscal year 1931 a total of 8,074,342 pounds of type

metals was standardized for the use of the office, a decrease of 661,765

pounds, or 7.6 per cent less than in the fiscal year 1930.

A comparison of the amounts of the various alloys standardized

during the fiscal years 1930 and 1931 are given below

Kind of metal 1930 1931 Decrease Decrease

Linotype Pounds

5, 719, 035

2, 461, 059

489, 118

66, 895

Pounds

5, 666, 170

1, 963, 305

442, 665

1 2, 202

Pounds

52, 865

497, 754

46, 453

64, 693

Per cent

0. 92

20. 23

9. 50

96. 71 Monotype . . ... . Stereotype Electrotype Total 8, 736, 107 8, 074, 342 661, 765 7.6

1 Practically all the electrotjT)e metal used during the year was obtained in exchange for old electrotype

plates. Following is a detailed tabulation showing the correction of linotype, monotype, stereotype, and electrotype metals for the fiscal year

1931, including the quantity returned for remelting, correction metals, dross, percentage increase due to correction, and percentage loss due to dross, calculated on the quantity of metal remelted

Linotype Monotype Stereotype Electrotype

Returned for remelting .pounds..

Correction metal used: Lead-antimony alloy i do Tin-antimonv alloy 2 do Tin ....do-.-.

5, 594, 372 1, 972, 862 421, 825 1,775

10, 620

1535

81, 705

3, 655

20, 710 2,770

265

910

12080

21, 255

20

42 Lead... . ..do 375

Total, correction metal used do

Total corrected metal do

92, 375

5, 666, 170

20, 577

1.65 .37

27, 400

1, 963, 305

36, 957

1.39

1.87

22, 365

442, 665

1, 525

5.3

.36

437 2,202

10 24.61 .66

Dross do..-

Increase due to correction per cent.. Dross .do

1 Lead-antimony alloy consists of approximately 60 per cent lead and 40 per cent antimony.

* Tin-antimony alloy consists of approximately 33 per cent tin and 67 per cent antimony.

The percentages of dross in linotype and monotype metals were

0.37 and 1.87, respectively, as compared with 0.48 and 1.74 last year. Fifteen thousand five hundred pounds of linotype metal and

200,000 pounds of electrotype metal were obtained during the year
120 Annual Report of the Public Printer

in exchange for old electrotype plates. An even exchange was made

possible by the high tin content of the backing metal on the old plates.

Standardization of linotype metal to the formula 4-4.5 per cent

tin, 11.5 per cent antimony, remainder lead, has been continued. No

trouble with the metal has been reported.

Two thousand two hundred and fifty pounds of metal containing

6.5 per cent tin and 11.5 per cent antimony was made and given

practical test on the Ludlow machines. It was reported to be an improvement over the standard linotype metal in that it produced

sharper type faces and fewer pits on the rules. A further reduction in increase of linotype metal due to correction

alloys added, from 1.90 per cent for the fiscal year 1930 to 1.65 per

cent for the fiscal year 1931, indicates that most of the linotype metal

in the office has passed through the standardization process. It was

found necessary to convert 11,750 pounds of monotype metal to linotype metal, due to the increased demand for the latter. STANDARDIZATION OF MONOTYPE METAL

The standardization of monotype metal to the formula 7.3 per cent

tin, 16.8 per cent antimony, remainder lead, also proceeded without

complaint attributable to the quality of the metal.

Seventy-two thousand three hundred and forty-three pounds of

special metal consisting of 10 per cent tin, 19 per cent antimony,

remainder lead, which was manufactured for use in casting large

type and rules, proved satisfactory in service.

As reported last year, stereotype metal has been standardized to the formula 6.5-7 per cent tin, 13 per cent antimony, remainder

lead. All stereotype metal used during the past fiscal year has been

standardized to this formula. The results obtained with it are fully

equal to expectations. No difficulties have been experienced with it either in the casting by means of a pump or by hand loading. The

plates have given satisfactory service on the presses. STUDY or BISMUTH IN TYPE METAL

A study of the effect of small quantities of bismuth in type metal

has been started and some results obtained on stereotype metal. Additions of 1, 2, and 4 per cent of bismuth were made to metal of the

Government Printing Office standard stereotype-metal formula. A

few flat and curved stereotype plates were cast from these metals

and compared, at the start and finish of the press runs, with plates on the same jobs cast from standard metal.

No difference, either in appearance or wearing quality of the

plates, could be detected in the case of the 1 per cent bismuth addition. In the case of the 2 per cent bismuth additions the plates were

slightly brighter, a quality which is of some assistance in examining

the type faces for defects. Only those plates with 4 per cent bismuth

additions were run on the press until worn out. They were removed

after 60,000 impressions at the same time as similar plates containing no bismuth.

The bismuth additions did not affect casting temperatures to an

appreciable extent. A comparison of the plates containing bismuth
Beport of the Technical Director 121

with the control plates without bismuth showed no difference in

sharpness of detail of type faces either before or after the plates were used.

Bismuth in the percentages tested is neither beneficial nor detrimental to stereotype metal.

The test plates were poured by hand ladle, so that effect of the

bismuth on pump mechanisms was not determined. However, there

is no reason to suspect any difficulty in this respect.

Data on the test runs are given in the following table

Kind of metal Numberof impressions Kind of paper Type of plate

Stereotype plus, 1 per cent bismuth

Stereotjrpe plus, 2 per cent bismuth.

Stereotype plus, 4 per cent bismuth

12, 500

22, 500

37, 500

60, 000

30 per cent rag bond M. F. book

Newsprint

do

Flat.Do. Curved. Do. The formula 4 per cent tin, 3.5 per cent antimony, 92.5 per cent lead was adopted as the standard for electrotype backing metal by

the International Association of Electrotypers in 1930 and has been

approved by the American Newspaper Publishers Association and

American Association of Advertising Agencies.

This formula is practically identical with that previously adopted

by the Government Printing Office. The new electrotyping equipment mentioned in last year's report

has been installed and put into operation in the Platemaking Division, replacing the old depositing equipment. The new equipment

consists of the following

Two T,500-ampere, 8-volt generators; 2 rubber-lined, semi-automatic copper-depositing tanks of approximately 1,200 gallons capacity each ; 3 rubber-lined depositing tanks of approximately 250 gallons capacity each, 2 for nickel solutions and 1 for a copper " start- ing " tank.

COPPER ELECTROTYPING

The graphited wax cases are " oxidized," placed in the " starting " tank where they cover in from two to five minutes. They are then

removed, inspected, and placed on a conveyor hook in one of the

copper-depositing tanks, where they make one circuit of the tank

in 65 minutes. Copper is deposited at a current density of 110-140

amperes per square foot at 6 volts. The copper solutions are analyzed twice each week, and are adjusted to the following formula:

Grams per

liter Copper sulphate 210

Sulphuric acid 75 The temperature of the solution is automatically maintained at 85° F. and no addition agents are used. The resultant copper shells have

an average thickness of 0.006 inch as measured by a micrometer. A

shell is now produced in 70 minutes as compared with 120 minutes

under the old system. An even flow of work is maintained as the

tanks have a combined capacity of two shells per minute, delivering
122 Annual Report of the Public Printer

them at approximately 30-second intervals. The new tanks have

a potential capacity of approximately 50 per cent more cases daily

than the small tanks formerly used.

NICKEL ELECTROTYPING

The two tanks used for nickel deposition are arranged so that each

tank may operate at two different voltages, thus allowing plating

work to be done at four different voltages at the same time if necessary.

Solutions composed of 7 ounces of double nickel salts' per gallon were found to be more conducting than the 3 ounces per gallon

solution formerly used. Covering of wax cases proceeds more rapidly and after covering the current density is approximately double

that obtained in the less concentrated solution. This permits a shortening of the deposition time on nickel work by 25 to 30 per cent,

CHROMIUM ELECTROTYPING

Two tanks, each having a capacity of approximately 50 gallons, were placed in service for chromium plating. / The chromium-plating equipment was moved to the new plating room and a 12-18-volt

generator was installed in the generator room. New control equipment was added, and plating on both flat and curved copper electrotypes is being done without difficulty. New holders were designed

for the plates which also improved the quality of the work. A record

is now being kept of the comparative number of impressions obtained on copper and chromium-plated copper electrotypes in such

cases where the length of run makes such information possible.

Difficulty has been experienced in chromium plating nickel type

surfaces. The trouble was apparent only on the nickel which had

been deposited on the wax. There is not sufficient data available

to indicate whether or not such electrotypes will yield sufficiently

longer runs on copper electrotypes to warrant their additional cost. Further work will be done to permit uniform results to be obtained

in case the use of these electrotypes becomes desirable later. STUDY or ELECTROTYPING PROBLEMS

Complete experimental equipment for the electrodeposition of

metals consisting of a 6-volt, 500-ampere-12-volt, 250-ampere generator, three 50-gallon stoneware tanks, and an electrolytic cleaning

tank has been installed in the new laboratory. This- equipment will

be used in research on electrotyping work. The studies of the various solutions can be conducted under controlled conditions without

interfering with production in the electrotyping section.

Specifications for dry polishing graphite have been added to those for wet leading. Deliveries of molding and wet graphite

purchased under these specifications are more uniform and of better

quality than the materials formerly purchased on sample.

Tentative specifications were developed for cherry blocking wood

used in mounting halftones. The wood purchased under these specifications has given good satisfaction and the trouble caused by warping of the blocks greatly reduced.
Report of the Technical Director 123

During a study of the value of phenolsulphonic acid as an addition

agent in copper electrotyping solutions, the question was raised as to the relative thickness of the copper deposited on the face and back

of the shell in such solutions compared with the thicknesses deposited

in solutions using glue as an addition agent.

Several sets of shells were made and backed up, after which cross- sections were cut and mounted for study. Deposition of copper on

the two sets of shells was made for the same length of time in order

to obtain comparative thicknesses of the two sets, as well as information on the relative thickness of the copper at different parts of the same shell. The thickness of the coj)per shells was measured at a number of places by means of a microscope. The specimens were

then photographed through the microscope in order to obtain a visual record of the sections measured.

It was found that the copper on the printing surfaces of the

shells deposited in the solution using phenolsulphonic acid was 42.6 per cent thicker than on those where glue was used. The ratio of

the thickness of the copper on the printing face to that on the back was 1 to 2 in the shell from the solution using phenolsulphonic acid

and 1 to 1.8 in the shell from the solution in which glue was used.

WORK ON PHOTO-ENGRA\T:NG SUPPLIES

Some work has been done on photo-engraving supplies, a number

of which have proved troublesome, due either to varying quality or rapid deterioration. There is a definite need for standardization

of these materials, since consistently good results and maximum production can not be obtained if raw materials of varying quality are used.

Photo-engravers' glue, which has been troublesome in the past, due

mainly to difference in the products of various manufacturers, was

one of the first materials studied. Specifications were drawn to cover the quality found most satisfactory by practical test, and all the

photo-engravers' glue used during the year was purchased under

these specifications. This does not mean that good results can not be

obtained with other glues which do not comply with these specifications, but uniformly good results can not be expected from operators

when they must change their procedure every few weeks to conform

to a change in the raw materials. Therefore, in order to eliminate one of the variables in photo-engraving work, the operators are given

a uniform product which they report as giving entire satisfaction.

Rubber solution, except a small amount purchased for a special

purpose, was formerly made in the photo-engraving section from

rubber and suitable solvent. It was found more economical and to yield more uniform results to replace both solutions with one purchased on definite specifications covering the quality of the rubber

and the solvent as well as the concentration of rubber. The use of

this solution has saved considerable time formerly spent in cutting

rubber and stirring and straining the solution.

Several experimental lots of staging solution have been prepared

in the laboratory and submitted to the re-etchers for practical test. All were reported as being satisfactory for halftone staging work.
124 Annual Report of the Public Printer

A considerable amount of trouble was experienced . with the developer used in line w^ork, due to variations in the quality of deliveries from different sources. It was found more satisfactory to make the developer in this office than to purchase it from different

sources, since it is difficult to specify the exact qualities desired. As

a result of a study covering some months a formula was w^orked out

for a satisfactory developer which is now being made in the laboratory at a considerable reduction in cost. The difference in cost, however, is merely incidental, since the uniform results now being

obtained are of much more value.

The cold top enamel, also used in line work, has given but little trouble since there are fewer sources of supply. However, varying

procedures are required by different brands, adding another variable

to photo-engraving work. Research is now being conducted to develop a satisfactory formula for this material, but the work has not

progressed to the point where a definite recommendation can be

made.

PROBLEM or " DRAGON'S BLOOD " Another of the variables in photo-engraving work is " dragon's

blood," a resinous compound used in line work. There are a number

of brands on the market having widely varying characteristics. Some

operators prefer one brand, some another, while others insist on mixing brands. The principal difficulty seems to lie in variations in

working qualities, almost always between different brands, and occasionally between different deliveries of the same brand.

As in the case of glue, practical tests are being made to determine

the qualities desired by the operators. This is being paralleled by a study of the material in the laboratory to determine the essential

characteristics which must be specified in order to insure the delivery

of uniform material of the quality desired.

This work has been handicapped by a lack of information on the

subject. Practically no technical data were available, which necessitated a considerable amount of preliminary laboratory work. It

is hoped that this problem will be solved satisfactorily during the

coming year. Specifications have been developed for use in the purchase of col- lodion, and satisfactory deliveries are being received.

Work on the iodizer has not yet advanced to the stage where specifications can be drawn.

COPPER AND ZINC PLATES

The polished copper sheets used in making halftones have caused no trouble, and have been tested occasionally only for hardness and

thickness.

The zinc sheets used in line work, however, have been unsatisfactory in some instances, and work has been started to ascertain

those factors which must be specified to insure the delivery of

satisfactory material. A number of chemical analyses have been

made, but the difference in composition of good and bad plates was

found to be apparently not the sole cause of the trouble experienced.

A microscopical study of the structure of different makes of plates is now under way, in hopes that it will cast further light on the

subject.
Report of the Technical Director 125

A comparative study was made of the electric and the ferric

chloride etching processes. Photomicrographs were made of the sur- faces and also of polished cross sections of halftones made by both

methods. A study of these photographs showed that the electric

etching process was satisfactory for deep etching, but for fine work

the ferric chloride process was more desirable. iThe specimens and

their accompanying photomicrographs are now in the division

exhibit in Harding Hall.

PRODUCTION OF PRINTING INKS

The production of printing inks for the fiscal year 1931 was

185,885 pounds, an increase of 7,628 pounds over 1930. There were

also produced 12,609 pounds of blue toner used in printing inks, 482

gallons of ruling inks, 3,600 gallons of blue and red writing inks, 68

gallons of backing fluid, and 201 quarts of mucilage.

The standardization of the inks used by the office has been con- tinued during the year. The formulas for red, green, black, and blue

numbering-machine inks have been simplified and improved. Formulas have been developed for marble paper ink for offset printing,

and for a number of inks requested by the Post Office Department.

NEWS INK AND NEWSPRINT PAPER

Kesearch on newsprint paper and news ink, conducted in cooperation with the mechanical department of the American Newspaper

Publishers Association, was continued during the year. A second

progress report was presented at the fifth mechanical conference

of the association, which was held in Harding Hall, Government

Printing Office, June 1, 2, and 3, 1931.

Through the courtesy of Dr. George K. Burgess, Director of the

Bureau of Standards, the paper section of the bureau made one roll each of several special newsprint papers for study in this work.

The composition of these papers ranged from 100 per cent ground

wood, through ground wood and unbleached sulphite mixtures in

the following proportions : 80 : 20, 60 : 40, and 40 : 60, and similar

mixtures of ground wood and bleached sulphite.

The following points were studied during the year : Strike through,

show through, offset, carbon black and lamp black, grinding, factors

influencing printing qualities of newsprint paper, measurement of

paper surface, and the effect of variation of percentages of sulphite

pulp in newsprint papers. A full report of the work done during the

year has been published as Government Printing Office Technical

Bulletin No. 13. Manufacturers of newsprint and news inks and

members of the American Newspaper Publishers Association have

made numerous requests for this bulletin.

PRESS ROLLERS AND MOLDED GLUES

A total of 2,698 press rollers was manufactured during the year

as compared with 2,325 for 1930, an increase of 373 rollers, or 16

per cent. One hundred and forty-seven of these were made for

other Government departments, as compared with less than 100 last year. A total of 83,957 pounds of molded glue was manufactured during

the fiscal year 1931.
126 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The satisfactory service rendered by the press rollers and the

molded glue required no research on these subjects during the year. Work is planned to ascertain whether the change in rollers during

the " seasoning " process is merely an adjustment of the moisture

content or whether some change takes place in the structure of the

material. This study will be made under different conditions of

relative humidity and temperature to determine the effect of these

factors on " seasoning."

Research was conducted to find a suitable solvent for use in the

form-washing machine in the main press room. A satisfactory

mixture now in use consists of 20 pounds of crystalline sodium metasilicate in 50 gallons of water. Work has been started to develop a noninflammable, nontoxic ink

solvent which will be as effective as the benzol acetone mixture

now used for removing dried and hardened printing ink. A mixture of equal parts of dichlorethylene and acetone, while inflammable,

is not as toxic as the old mixture, and gives equally good results. Further work is planned on this problem.

Due to the variety of kinds and sizes of the 1,500 motors in the

office, a large number of carbon brushes must be kept in stock. No

standard specifications were used in the purchase of these brushes,

resulting in a wide variation in quality between different deliveries.

A study of this problem is being conducted at the request of the

Division of Construction and Maintenance, and specifications have

been developed for each kind of brushes as fast as new purchases were necessary.

The purchase of brushes on specifications has resulted in the delivery of uniform high-grade material. It is expected that this work

will be completed during the coming year.

Miscellaneous supplies manufactured by the Government Printing

Office were furnished other Government aafencies as in the previous

The total charge for supplies this year was $28,357, as compared

with $24,000 last year. The estimated savings to the departments for

the year was approximately $28,000.

The following tabulation gives a comparison of the amounts of

the different materials furnished the Government agencies during

the fiscal years 1930 and 1931

DETERGENTS

CARBON BRUSHES FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS

SUPPLIES FURNISHED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

three years.

1930 1931

Mimeograph ink, black

Printing inks, black and colored (including multigraph) Addressograph ink, blue and black Writing ink, blue, black, and red Stamp pad and numbering machine inks Molded glue, including canceling stamp composition for the Post OflBce DepartmentPaste

Pounds

29, 581

4, 649 Pounds

46, 097

4, 751 209

1 12, 747

2, 084

2,745

12, 492

256

1 12, 482

1, 158 2,843

16, 201

Quarts.
Report of the Technical Director 127

As in past years, the Division of Tests and Technical Control

has upon request rendered assistance to the Navy Department, Treas- ury Department, Post Office Department, and other Government

agencies on problems pertaining to paper, ink, glues, tabulating

cards, etc. NEW LABORATORY AND EQUIPMENT

The laboratory, ink section, and roller and glue section were moved to their new location on the fifth floor of the G Street extension during the last few months of the fiscal year. As stated in last year's report, the new laboratory provides separate rooms for microscopical work, chemical paper analysis, physical

paper testing, textile testing, photomicrographic work, metal analysis, ink analysis, general research, and also ample office space, as well as library, conference, and file rooms. A room has been fitted for experimental electrotyping where

research on electrotyping can be conducted without interfering with

production.

Considerable new apparatus and equipment was purchased for the

laboratory to meet the requirements for chemical analysis and test- ing. The new laboratory is without a doubt the most modem and

completely equipped laboratory in th^ world devoted solely to

• research and technical control in the printing and binding industry.

In order to increase production and efficiency in the ink section new equipment was purchased, among which are the following:

One high-speed 4-roll ink mill, one 6-head filling machine, one semiautomatic labeling machine, one 1,200-gallon tank for rewashing cans and tubs, seven steel varnish storage tanks, two portable glass-lined

tanks, one single-shell glass-lined mixer, one jacketed glass-lined

mixer, and two 350-gallon blending tanks.

The humidifier formerly used in the book section of the main

pressroom has been installed in the roller storage room to increase

the relative humidity during the winter months. Since the roller- storage room requires but a part of the capacity of this machine,

arrangements are being made to also connect it to the map section

of the bindery, which adjoins the roller-storage room. A new agitator has been purchased for use in the glue cooker and

will be installed in the near future.

An additional roller gun has been ordered from the Navy Department.

PUBLICATIONS

During the year the following articles prepared by this division

have been published by the office as technical bulletins and reprinted

in various trade journals

Progress Report on the Determination of pH Values and Total

Acidity in Papers, Teclmical Bulletin No. 11. A Study of Methods of Evaluation of Kraft Paper, Technical

Bulletin 12. Second Progress Report on Study of News Ink and Newsprint,

Technical Bulletin No. 13. The Research and Standardization Work of the Government Print- ing Office. 82246—32 9
128 Annual Report of the Public Printer

The Technical Director delivered an address on paper standardization at the meeting of the Printing House Craftsmen of York and

York Count}^, Pa. One of the chemists also delivered an address on

the same subject at the annual meeting of the National Association

of Purchasing Agents at Toronto, Canada. The latter has been

reprinted in various trade journals,

CORRESPONDENCE

Inquiries for technical information have been more numerous than

in past years. The policy adopted last year of issuing technical bulletins on the different phases of the work has simplified our corre- spondence somewhat, since in many cases a bulletin can be sent in- stead of a long letter. Requests for bulletins and other information

have been received from many foreign countries as well as from all parts of the United States. TECHNICAL CONFERENCES

The following technical conferences were held in Harding Hall of

the Government Printing Office:

Second Technical Conference of the Printing Industry sponsored by the Print- ing Industries Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, March

16 and 17, 1931. Mechanical Department of the American Newspaper Publishers Association, June 1, 2, and 3, 1931. The members of the Division of Tests and Technical Control staff aided in both conferences, and attended many of the group meetings.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

The Technical Director is a member of the paper specifications committee of the Joint Committee on Printing, Federal Specifications

Board, the pulp and paper committee of the Printing Industries Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the paper

testing committee and chairman of the subcommittee on ink resist- ance of printing papers of the Technical Association of the Pulp and

Paper Industry, the Standards Council of the American Standards

Association, the advisory committee on lithograph papers for the

Lithographic Technical Foundation, and the advisory committee on permanent papers for the National Research Council.

Respectfully submitted.

B. L. Wehmhoff,

Technical Director.

o
INDEX

I

INDEX

A

A. L. A. See American Library Association. Absence: Page Employees excused on account of illness 91 Leave with pay 27 Nonproductive time 27

Accidents. See Claims; Hospital.

Accounting Division. See Superintendent of Accounts and Budget Officer. Accounts:

Deposit of miscellaneous receipts in Treasury 1 Expenditures 8 Moneys received, the source, and Treasury deposit, table 106 Operating expenses for fiscal year, table 108

See also Finances; Statistical tables; Superintendent of Accounts and

Budget Officer; Unexpended balances. Accounts Division. See Superintendent of Accounts and Budget Officer. Accounts, Superintendent of. See Superintendent of Accounts and Budget

Officer. Acidity. See Paper.

Addresses. See Apprentices; Employees.

Advertising:

Of Government publications

Methods of 44 No funds for 44

Agents. See Government publications.

Agriculture Department, printing for 32

See also Agriculture Yearbook; Farmers' bulletins. Agriculture Yearbook, printing, number of copies, cost, etc 32

Air conditions. See Atmospheric conditions; Ventilating installations. Allotments. See Appropriations.

Alterations, buildings 78

Alterations on proofs. See Corrections. Alumni Association. See Government Printing Office Alumni Association. American Library Association, resolution, study of depositories for public documents 40

American National Red Cross. See Contributions. American Newspaper Boys' Association, appreciation of courtesies ex- tended to boys during 2d Annual Patriotic Pilgrimage 89 American Newspaper Publishers Association, cooperation with Tests and Technical Control Division 50, 52, 125

See aZso_ Mechanical Conference of American Newspaper Publishers

Association. American Newspaper Publishers Association Mechanical Conference.

See Mechanical Conference of American Newspaper Publishers Association. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Printing Industries Division,

second conference, Harding Hall, March 16 and 17, 1931 56-62, 128

Analysis of metal 48 Annex. See Rest and recreation rooms.

Anniversaries

10th anniversary of incumbency of George H. Carter as Public

Printer 97

70th celebration of establishment of Government Printing Office 94 Annual leave. See Absence. Annual reports. See Reports.

Annuities. See Retirement.

Appointments. See Employees, Number.

Appreciation. See Apprentices; Commendation; Printing Division; Public Printer; Washington Club of Printing House Craftsmen.

102136—32 1 129
Index

Apprentices: Page Alumni banquet 69 Appointments average about 50 a year 67

Classbook of 1931 68

Classes

Addresses, etc 68 Educational courses 71 Graduation exercises 68

High honors in essay contest 70 Number, limited to 200 (Kiess Act) 67 Number, qualifying for appointment as apprentices 67

Number, women qualifying for appointment as apprentices 67

Productive work of apprentices 71 Commendation

Appreciation of apprentices expressed in their 1931 classbook 68

Apprentices' 1931 classbook highly praised 68

Essays submitted by apprentices 70

Public Printer Carter's interest in apprentices 68

Work of Apprentice School 68

Eligibles on civil service rolls as result of examination of 1930 67

Establishment of Apprentice School 87 Graduates continued on rolls of Government Printing Office 67

See also Government Printing Office Alumni Association; Physical

examination.

Appropriations

For fiscal years, table 104

Recapitulation 105 Resources and liabilities 103

See also Unexpended balances. Assemblies. See Harding Hall. Associations. See Organizations; also name of association. Athletics

Baseball teams 86, 87

Golf club 88

See also Rest and recreation rooms, Bowling alleys. Atmospheric conditions, studies 47 Auditorium. See Harding Hall. Authors, cost of alterations of proofs 23

Automobile Repair Shop, location 74

Automobiles. See Motor vehicles. B

Bank checks. See Checks.

Baseball teams. See Athletics.

Bells. See Work bells. Benefit associations, voluntary relief associations in Government Printing

Office 93

Bibliographies. See Catalogues of Government publications; Indexes;

Price Lists. Bicentennial Commission. See Washington Bicentennial Commission.

Bills (publications). See Congress.

Binder's board. See Bookbinding materials. Bindery. See Bookbinding materials. Bindery Division, new equipment 75

Bindery glue. See Glues. Binding. See Bookbinding materials; Commercial printing and binding;

Public printing and binding.

Bismuth. See Metal. Blacksmith Shop, location 74

Blank books 34, 35

Blank forms. See Forms. Blank paper. See Paper.

Book dealers. See Government pubMcations.

Bookbinders of America, Employing. See Employing Bookbinders of America.
Index 131

Bookbinding materials : Page Binder's board 116 Bronze stamping leaf 118 Cooperative work 51

See also Glues; Tests and Technical Control Division. Books. See Blank books; Bookbinding materials; Government publicacations; Type Book.

Bookstacks. See Library stacks. Bookstore. See Government bookstore. Bovling alleys. See Rest and recreation rooms. Branch bindery. See Library of Congress.

Branch printing plant. See Librar}'- of Congress. Bronze leaf. See Bookbinding materials. Brushes, carbon brushes for electric motors 126 Budget Bureau, pledges to Director of the Budget fulfilled 1 Budget Oflacer for Government Printing Office. See Superintendent of Accounts and Budget Officer. Buildings, See Buildings Section; Construction and Maintenance Division; Government Printing Office. Buildings Section, work of 78

Bulletins. See Farmers' bulletins. Bureau. See name of bureau.

Business. See Government Printing Office. C

Cafeteria

Equipment ' 85 Improvements 83 Meals served, total number during year and daily average 85, 87

Modern and up-to-date cafeteria installed 87 Number of emplo3^ees 85

Refrigerating equipment replaced 78, 79, 83

Sanitation under supervision of Medical and Sanitary Director 87, 90

Seats approximately 800 patrons at one time 83, 87

See also G. P. O. Cafeteria and Recreation Association. Calendar of events in Harding Hall, 1931 88

Candy and tobacco stand in Cafeteria, new 83

Capitol, power plant, connection with Government Printing Office 78 Carbon brushes. See Brushes. Cards. See Catalogue cards; Index cards; Tabulating cards. Carpenter and Paint Section: New machines 74 Work of 74

Carter, George H. See Public Printer. Casting machines. See Type-casting machines.

Catalogue cards, printing of 33

Catalogues of Government publications:

Compiled in Office of Superintendent of Documents 45

Issued in last 8 years 46

Status of Document Catalogues 46 Changes m personnel. See Employees, Number.

Changes on proofs. See Corrections. Charges. See Criticism. Charges (cost). See Cost. Checks, clearance of 37

Chemistr}' and Soils Bureau, cooperation with Tests and Technical Control Division 50, 115

Chorus, number of members and leader 86, 87

Christmas entertainments, etc., for employees 85, 88 Chromium electrotyping. See 'ElectTotyping.

Civil service pensions. See Retirement.

Claims, of Government Printing Office em.ploj^ees allowed by L^nited States Employees' Compensation Commission 91 Cleaning compounds. See Detergents; Solvents. Clocks, all offices, etc., equipped with electric seK-winding and self-regulating clocks 76

Cloth. See Bookbinding materials. Clubs. See Organizations.
132 Index

Collections. See Contributions.

Collective bargaining. See Wages.

Commendation : Page

Letter to Technical Director concerning ink 53

Letters, etc., to Public Printer

Letters and extracts from letters 5,

10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 33, 52, 62, 89, 90

Telegram, Saturday half holiday 5

Review, Government Printing Office Type Book 21

See also Resolutions; also references under Appreciation.

Commerce Department, printing for 28 Commercial printing and binding, costs compared with Government

Printing Office costs 24-28

Commission. See name of commission.

Committees

Of Congress

Printing for 10

Printing of hearings and cost 10" See also Congressional documents and reports; also names of committees or subject involved. Community Chest. See Contributions. Compensation. See references under Pay.

Complaints. See Criticism. Compliments. See Commendation.

Composition. See Type.

Compositors. See Printers. Concerts. See Chorus; Orchestra. Condemned stock, machinery and material sold 111 Conference. See name of conference. Confidential publications. See Executive Journals of Senate. Congress:

Bills and resolutions

Bill providing for replacing old Government Printing Office 82

Number printed and cost 11 Printed in record time 11 Charges for work executed for Congress 8

Table 107

Printing for 8

See also Committees; Congressional documents and reports; Congressional Globe; Congressional Record; Executive Journals of Senate. Congressional documents and reports, Document Indexes compiled in

Office of Superintendent of Documents 46

See also Government publications.

Congressional Globe:

Bound and unbound copies, disposition 81

Plates, disposition 80

Congressional Globe vault: History and location 80 Old records and files of Government Printing Office stored in vault__ 81, 82 Old records reveal printing prophecy 81 Ownership , 82

Transfer of property 81 Congressional Library. See Library of Congress.

Congressional Record:

Distribution and sale 9 Equipment for producing Record 10 Printed at Government Printing Office beginning with proceedings

of 43d Congress in 1873 80

Size, printing, binding, and cost 9 Construction and Maintenance Division: Moving 73 New equipment for Government Printing Office 72-77

Work of 72

Contracts. See subject involved. Contributions, of employees, to American Red Cross and other worthy

causes 3
Index . 133

Cooperation: . Page

Activities of Government Printing Office 50 Machine Section and Washington Navy Yard 74

Tests and Technical Control Division and

American Newspaper Publishers Association 50, 52, 125 Chemistry and Soils Bureau 50, 115 Employing Bookbinders of America 50, 51, 116

International Association of Electrotypers 50

Lithographic Technical Foundation 50 Standards Bureau 50, 115, 125 United Typothetse of America 50, 62

See also Research. Cooperative research work. See Cooperation.

Copper electrotj'ping. See Electrotyping.

Copy. See Authors.

Corrections, authors' corrections on proofs, cost 23 Correspondence. See Tests and Technical Control Division. Cost:Charges for work, table 107 Itemized cost of work, table 109

See aZso subject involved, e. g.. Public printing and binding.

Coupons. See Public Documents Division.

Criticism, of extravagance in Government publications 44

Cuts. See Photo-engraving.

D

Death, no cases occurred in office, number dying elsewhere 90

See also Benefit associations. Death benefit associations. See Benefit associations. Dedication of Green Room and Annex 84

Delivery Section, work of 35

Departments. See Executive Departments and independent establish- ments; also names of Departments.-

Deposit accounts. See Public Documents Division. Depository libraries. See Libraries. Designated depository libraries. See Libraries. Detergents, investigajtion 126 Dining room. See Cafeteria. Director of Bureau of the Budget. See Sudget Bureau.

Disability annuities. See Retirement.

Disbursements. See Accounts.

Distribution. See Government publications.

District of Columbia:

Municipal center, transfer of Congressional Globe vault property for use in development of 82

Printing for 3'4 See also Washington, D. C.

Divisions. See names of divisions. Document Catalogue. See Catalogues of Government publications.

Document Index. See Indexes. Documents. See Congressional documents and reports; Government

publications.

Documents, Superintendent of. See Public Docum^ents Division. "Dragon's blood" 124 Drawings, printing inventions 81

Dross. See Metal. E

Earnings. See references under Pay.

Economy. See Savings and economies.

Electric etching process. See Etching.

Electric lights. See Lighting system.

Electric motors, carbon brushes for 126

Electric refrigerators. See Refrigerating equipment.

Electrical Section: Location 75

Work of 76
Index

Page

Electricity, electric current used 78

See also Lighting system; Signal-board system.

Electrotype-backing metal. See Metal.

Electrotypers, International Association of. See International Association of Electrotypers.

Electrotyping:

Chromium electrotyping 122 Copper electrotyping 121 Experimental plant 48

Nickel electrotyping 122 Study of electrotyping problems 122

Elevators

Passenger and freight

New 76 Number 76 Embossed stationery. See Stationery.

Emergencies. See Rush work.

Emergency hospital. See Hospital.

Employees

Activities, radio address 86 Number

Average number 6

Increase in number 1, 2 Number, changes in personnel, etc 1, 87

Permanent force of 5,000 employees needed 6 Resolution congratulating Public Printer on his 10th anniversary of continuous service 98 Turnover. See, above, Number.

War veterans

Number employed 93

Organizations 88

See also Absence; Claims; Physical examination; Retirement; Salaries; Wages.

Employees' Compensation Commission. See United States Employees'

Compensation Commission.

Employing Bookbinders of America, cooperation with Tests and Technical

Control Division 50, 51, 116 Employment : ' Provided by Government Printing Office by— * Employing larger force 2 Purchases of machinery, paper, and materials 8

Reduction of overtime work 2 Endowments. See Lithographic Technical Foundation.

Engraving. See Photo-engraving.

Entertainments. See Christmas entertainments.

Envelopes. See Stationery.

Equipment. See Construction and Maintenance Division; Machines and

machinery; also special subject.

Etching, electric and ferric chloride etching processes 125 Europe, visit of Public Printer to, 1931 63-67

Ex-service men. See Employees, War veterans. Examination. See Physical examiaation.

Exchange of documents. See Government publications. Distribution. Excursions, for employees 85, 87

Executive Departments and independent establishments: Charges for work executed for Departments, etc., table 107

Printing and binding for Executive Departments

Agriculture 32

Commerce (including Patent Office) 28

Interior 33

Justice 33 Labor 33 Navy 33

Post Office (Postal Service) 31

State 33 Treasury 33 War ^ 33
Index 135

Executive Departments and independent establishments—Continued.

Printing and binding for independent establishments— Page

District of Columbia 34

Federal Farm Board 39

Interstate Commerce Commission 34

Library of Congress 33

Veterans' Administration 34

See also Government publications; Paper; Pt-eports; Rush work;

Supplies.

Executive Journals of Senate, 57th-71st Congresses 12 Expenditures. See Accounts; Finances; also names of divisions, offices,

etc., and subjects for which expenditures are made.

Extension to Government Printing Office. See Government Printing

Office, Buildings. Extra time. See Overtime.

Extravagance. See Government publications.

F

Farm Board. See Federal Farm Board. Farmers' bulletins, number printed 32

Federal Farm Board, printing for 39

Ferric chloride etching process. See Etching.

Finances

TablesCharges for work 107

Financial statement, 3-year period 104 Itemized cost of work 109 Moneys received 106 Operating expense, productive only 108

Receipts from sales of wastes 111 Resources and liabilities 103

Sec also Accounts.

Fire, old building a fire menace 82

Fire alarm and guard control system 76 Five-day week. See Hours of labor. Floor space. See Government Printing Office, Buildings.

Food. See Cafeteria. Force. See Employees.

Foreign countries. See Research. Forms, blank forms, standard forms for Government use, etc 34

Foundations. See Lithographic Technical Foundation.

Franked envelopes. See Stationery.

Franklin Essay Contest, high honors won by Government Printing Office apprentices 70

Free distribution. See Government publications.

Freight elevators. See Elevators. Funds. See Appropriations; Contributions; Finance; Reserved funds; Retirement fund. G

G Street extension. See Government Printing Office, Buildings. G. P. O. Cafeteria and Recreation Association:

Activities 85 Organized 87 Radio address of president of association 86

Receipts and expenses 85

Resolution of appreciation for Public Printer Carter's work in behalf

of employees of Government Printing Office 84 Games, rooms for 84, 88

Garage, location 74

Gas, consumption 78

Gazette. See Patent Office. George Washington Bicentennial Commission. See Washington Bicentennial Commission.

Globe. See Congressional Globe.

Glucose-glycol paste. See Glues. 102136—32 2
136 Index

Glue and Press-Roller Section. See Roller and Glue Section. Glues : Page

Cooperative work 51 Furnished to the various Departments 50

Glucose-glycol paste 118 Manufacture of 50, 125

See also Roller and Glue Section.

Golf. See Athletics. Government bookstore: Location 37, 45

New salesroom for publications 45 Government employees. See Employees.

Government establishments. See Executive Departments and independent establishments. Government printing. See Public printing and binding.

Government Printing Office: 70th anniversary celebration 94

Appropriations. See Appropriations.

Area, floor and ground 80

Buildings, alterations 78

Buildings (G Street extension)

Floor space 6 Occupation 6, 72

Preparation and equipping 72-76

Buildings (old building)

Bill providing for replacing 82 Estimates for replacing 75-year-old structure postponed 82

Fire menace 82 Should be replaced with an adequate fireproof building 83

Business

Original copies of reports kept for public inspection 99

Printing of reports discontinued 99

Statistical tables 103 Yearly business of about $14,500,000 87

See also Accounts.

Cooperation. See Cooperation.

Expenditures. See Accounts.

History, 1861-1931 95 Hygienic conditions 90

Largest printing plant in the world 86

Power plant

Connection with Capitol power plant 78 Improved equipment 79 Production

Comparison of fiscal years 1931 and 1921 2 Output 2 Value 1 Sanitation 90

Ventilating installations 78 Work of 87

See also Commendation; Employees; Employment; Library of Congress; Officials; Public Printer; also subject involved, e. g., Public printing and binding.

Government Printing Office Alumni Association (apprentices) 69 Honorary membership certificates awarded to Public Printer Carter and others 69 Government Printing Office Cafeteria and Recreation Association. See G. P. O. Cafeteria and Recreation Association. Government Printing Office Type Book. See Type Book.

Government publications

Advertising

Methods of 44 No funds for 44 Book dealers and other agents for sale of 43

Distribution 36, 38, 41 Exchange of documents 42

" Valuation plan " 41 Distribution (free) 36
Index 137

Government publications—Continued.

Distribution to libraries. See Libraries. Page

Extravagance in printing, criticism of 44 Number issued 2, 87

Increase in number issued 2 Number on hand, etc., for Departments and establishments of Government 37

Printed for Congress, Departments, and independent establishments,

number printed upon requisition, table 111

Sales - 36, 38

Extension of sales in lieu of free distribution 43

Increased by recent criticisms, 44

Legislation needed to promote 43 WasteIn distribution by Members of Congress 41 In distribution to libraries 39

In printing 41 Plans to stop waste 41-43

See also Catalogues of Government publications; Congressional docu- ments and reports; Indexes; Libraries; Price Lists; Public Documents Division; Public Documents Library; Weekly List of Government Publications. Green Room. See Rest and recreation rooms. Group Life Insurance Association: Chartered Mav 1, 1931 92 Information 88, 92 Guard control system. See Fire alarm and guard control system.

Guides take visitors through Government Printing Office 88

H

Half holidays. See Holidays.

Halftones. See Photo-engraving.

Hand work. See Printers. Harding Hall: Calendar of events in, 1931 88

Description, etc 87

Special assemblies

2d Annual Patriotic Pilgrimage of American newspaper boys_- 89

' Christmas entertainments 85, 88 Graduating class of apprentices 68

Technical conferences 53, 56, 128 Washington Club of Printing House Craftsmen 90

Health. See Hygiene.

Hearings. See Committees.

Heating. See Steam.

History of Government Printing Office 95

Holidays:

Holidays with pay 27 Nonproductive time 27 Saturdav half holidays, appreciation of 5 Work_.l 2 Hospital: Cases treated, etc 90 Modern and up-to-date 88

See also Claims; Medical and Sanitary Director. Hours of labor, 5-day week, recommendation 4

See also Holidays; Overtime; Sunday work; Work.

House of Representatives. See Congress.

Humidity. /See Atmospheric conditions. Hygiene, conditions in Government Printing Office 90

See also Physical examination. I

Ice-making equipment discarded 79

Illness. See Absence; Benefit associations; Hospital.

Illustrations, pictures of laboratories and testing rooms p. 2 and 3 of cover

See also Photo-engraving.
138 Index

Page

Impressions, number 2 Independent establishments. See Executive Departments and inde- pendent establishments. Index cards, an active inventory of stores kept on cards 73

Indexes, Document Indexes compiled in Office of Superintendent of Documents . 46

Indorsements. See Resolutions. Injured employee. See Hospital.

Ink Section, work of 49

Inks:Furnished to the various Departments 50 Manufacture, investigations, etc 48, 49, 52, 53, 125

Standardization 125

Insects. See Silverfish. Installation of equipment. See Construction and Maintenance Division. Insurance. See Life insurance.

Interior Department, printing for 33

International Association of Electrotypers, cooperation with Tests and

Technical Control Division 50

International Typographical Union, resolution, Saturday half holiday

and 5-day week 4

Interstate Commerce Commission, printing for 34

Inventions. See Printing inventions. i Inventory:

An active inventory of stores kept on index cards 73

Quantity and cost of paper, envelopes, material, and machinery on hand 110

Investigations. See Tests and Technical Control Division; also subject

involved, e. g., Paper.

J

Jackets, number written, etc 2 Job specifications. See Jackets.

Jobs. See Large jobs. Joint Committee on Printing:

Approved transfer of Congressional Globe vault property 82

Authorized disposition of Congressional Globe plates 81 Right to revoke contracts for paper in certain cases * 7

Journals of Senate. See Executive Journals of Senate. Journeymen, apprentices receiving certificates entitling them to continue

work in their respective trades in Government Printing Office 68

Justice Department, printing for 33

K

Kiess Act, Public No. 276, 68th Congress, approved June 7, 1924. See

Salaries; Wages.

Kitchen. See Cafeteria. Kraft paper. See Paper.

Li Labor. See Hours of labor. Labor Department, printing for 33

Labor legislation. See Wages.

Labor turnover. See Employees, number.

Laboratory work. See Tests and Technical Control Division. Large jobs, of Departments, etc.. Agriculture 32

Law Observance and Enforcement Commission. See Wickersham Commission. Laws. See subject, e. g., Wages.

Leather. See Bookbinding materials. Leave of absence. See Absence. Leave pay. See Absence.

Legislation. See Congress, Bills and resolutions; also subject, e. g., Government publications. Letterheads. See Stationery.

Letters. See Commendation.
Index 139

Libraries

Depository libraries— P^s^ Distribution of Government publications to 36, 39

Publications returned to Superintendent of Documents 39

Questions by Superintendent of Documents 40

See also Catalogue cards; Library of Congress; Public Documents

Library.

Library Association, American. See American Library Association. Library of Congress, printing for 33

See also Catalogue cards. Library printing branch. See Library of Congress.

Library stacks, new 45, 73

Life insurance, Group Life Insurance Association 88, 92

Life Insurance Association. See Group Life Insurance Association. Lighting system, all offices, etc., equipped with new system 76

Line cuts. See Photo-engraving.

Linotype machinists. See Machinists. Linotype metal. See Metal. Lithographic Technical Foundation, cooperation with Tests and Technical Control Division 50 M

Machine Section: New equipment 74 Work of 74 Machines and machinery:

Condemned machinery sold 111 Machine work requiring large or seldom-needed equipment ordered from Washington Navy Yard 74 Machinerv and equipment, inventorv, cost of machinery, etc., on

hand__^ 1 110

See also Construction and Maintenance Division; Type-casting machines; T3^pesetting machines.

Machinists, linotype, signal-board system for. 77 Mail orders. See Public Documents Division. Maintenance Division. See Construction and Maintenance Division. Manual of Style. See Style Manual.

Manuscript. See Authors.

Materials. See Supplies. Meals. See Cafeteria. Mechanical Conference of American Newspaper Publishers Association, June 1-3, 1931 53-55, 128 Medical and Sanitarv Director: Duties of 90 Report in regard to sanitation 90

See also Hospital.

Medical cases. See Hospital.

Men, number emploved 93 Metal:

Analysis 48 Bismuth in type metal 120

Electrotype-backing metal 50, 119, 121

Investigation of type metals 52

Linotype, monotype, and stereotype metal 50, 119

Standardization 119 Type-metal dross 50, 119 Metal Section: Location 50

W^ork of 50 Milk service in Cafeteria 83 Mimeograph ink. See Inks. Money-order work. See Postal Service. Monotype metal. See Metal. Monthly Catalogue of United States Public Documents. See Catalogues

of Government publications.
140 Index

Page

Motor vehicles, motor-truck deliveries 35

See also Automobile Repair Shop; Garage. Motors. See Electric motors. Music. See Chorus; Orchestra. N

National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement. See Wickersham Commission.

National Red Cross. See Contributions. Navy Department, printing for 33 Navy Yard. See Washington Navy Yard.

News ink. See Inks. Newspaper Mechanical Conference. See Mechanical Conference of American Newspaper Publishers Association. Newspapers. See American Newspaper Boys' Association; American

Newspaper Publishers Association. Newsprint paper. See Paper.

Nickel electrotyping. See Electrotyping.

Night work 11 Nonproductive time. See Absence; Holidays.

Noteheads. See Stationerv. O

Officers. See Officials.

Offi.cial Gazette. See Patent Office. Officials

Of Government Printing Office, list ii Resolution congratulating Public Printer on his 10th anniversary of continuous service 98 Old age. See Retirement.

Orchestra, number of members and director 86, 87

Orders. See Jackets. Organizations: In Government Printing Office

Baseball 1__ 86, 87 Bowling 86, 87

Cafeteria 84, 85 Chorus 86, 87

Golf 88 Group insurance 88, 92 Orchestra 86, 87

Veterans 88 Voluntary relief associations 93

See also Benefit associations; also name of organization.

Outstanding printing and binding work. See Public printing and binding.

Overtime, reduction 2 P

Paint Section. See Carpenter and Paint Section. Paper

Acidity 115 Annual requirements 8 Blank paper supplied to Executive Departments, etc 34

Contracts, right of Joint Committee on Printing to revoke, in certain cases 7 Expenditures for 8 Inventory, quantity and cost of paper on hand 110

Investigation 52, 125 Newsprint paper 53, 125 Kraft wrapping paper 116 Received 35

Rejections 115

Standardization 60

Sulphite papers 116 Work of Tests and Technical Control Division 47, 115

See also Atmospheric conditions; Stationery.

Passenger elevators. See Elevators.
Index 141

Patent Gazette. See Patent Office. I*ag€ Patent Office, printing of Gazette, specifications, etc 30 Patent specifications. See Patent Office. Pay. See Absence; Claims; Holidays; Retirement; Salaries; Wages.

Pensions. See Retirement. Permanent Conference on Printing, statement in regard to supplies fur- nished by Government Printing Office 35

Personnel. See Officials. Photo-engraving

Copper sheets used in making halftones 124 Equipment moved from Cafeteria to other quarters 83 Work on photo-engraving supplies 123

Zinc sheets used in line work 124

Phvsical examination

" Of—

Apprentices 90 Employees entering the Government service 90 Employees of Government Printing Office 90

Picnics. See Excursions.

Pictures. See Illustrations. Pipe and Sheet-Metal Section, work of 78 Platemaking Division:

Electric refrigerators installed 79 New equipment 75

Plates. See Printing plates.

Pledges. See Budget Bureau. Plumbing. See Pipe and Sheet-Metal Section. Post Office Department. See Postal Service. Postal cards. See Postal Service. Postal Service, printing of postal cards, money-order work, etc., and cost__ 31, 87 Power plants. See Capitol; Government Printing Office; Power Section. Power Section: Extension 79

Services rendered 78

Preparation of copy. See Authors.

Press rollers. See Printing presses. Presses. See Printing presses. Presswork. See Impressions; Presswork Division. Presswork Division: New equipment 75 Work of 75

Price Lists, compiled in Office of Superintendent of Documents 44

Prices. See Cost.

Printers: Hand work v. typesetting machines 81 Women employed as 67

Printing and binding. See Commercial printing and binding; Public

printing and binding.

Printing Committee. See Joint Committee on Printing.

Printing Division:

Felicitations conveyed to Public Printer on his 10th anniversary of continuous service 97 New equipment 75

Printing Education Conference. See United Typothetse of America.

Printing House Craftsmen, Washington Club of. See Washington Club

of Printing House Craftsmen.

Printing Industries Conference. See American Society of Mechanical

Engineers.

Printing ink. See Inks. Printing inventions, original drawings 81

Printing machines. See Typesetting machines.

Printing materials. See Tests and Technical Control Division. Printing Office. See Government Printing Office. Printing, Permanent Conference on. See Permanent Conference on

Printing.
142 Index

Printing plates: Page Congressional Globe, disposition 80

Storage 27

Printing presses: Manufacture of rollers 49, 125 New equipment ' 10 See also Roller and Glue Section. Proceedings of Congress. See Congressional Globe; Congressional Record.

Proceedings of Senate. See Executive Journals of Senate. Production. See Government Printing Office. Proofs. See Corrections. Property

Congressional Globe vault property transferred to government of District of Columbia 81 Purchase of property for storage purposes 80

Public documents. See Government publications.

Public Documents Division (Superintendent of Documents)

Appropriations for. See Statistical tables. Coupons, sale of 38

Deposit accounts 37

Location 44 Mail orders 37

Printing for Superintendent of Documents 36

Publications issued, catalogues, indexes, Price Lists, and Weekly List

of Government Publications 44-46 Statement by Superintendent of Documents, showing number of publications for Departments, etc 37 Stock of Government publications on hand 36

See also Catalogues of Government publications; Government

publications; Indexes; Price Lists; Weekly List of Government

Publications. Public Documents Library:

Information 45, 73

Location 45, 73

Size 45,73

Public Printer (George H. Carter):

Advisory associate of executive committee of Printing Industries

Division, American Society of Mechanical Engineers 51 10th anniversary of incumbency of George H. Carter as Public

Printer 97

Appreciation of expressions of good will extended to him on his 10th anniversary of continuous service 99 Member

Standardization committee of United Typothetse of America 51 Survey and research committee of Printing Industries Division,

American Society of Mechanical Engineers 51 Member (honora.ry)

Government Printing Office Alumni Association (apprentices) _. _ 69

Printing Industry Research Association of Great Britain 51 Opposed to wage and salary reductions 7 Recommendations

5-day week 4 New building project 83

Right of Joint Committee on Printing to revoke contracts for paper in certain cases 7 Wages, approval by Congress 6 Reports 1 Visit to Europe, 1931 63-67

See also Commendation; Government Printing Office. Public Printers, list, service records 96

Public printing and binding:

Classified statement, table 109 CostCharges include all expenditures 28 Government charges compared with commercial prices 24-28
Index 143

Public printing and binding—Continued.

Outstanding printing and binding work— '^^^^ Budget, 1933 12 Development of National Capital 15 Eulogies 15 Senate Executive Journals 12

Utility reports 15 Washington, the National Capital 15 Wickersham Commission (National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement), reports, etc 13 Writings of George Washington and books about Washington. __ 13-15

Production of principal items entering into printing and binding,

table 106 Purpose of Government printing 19

Style of Government printing 16 See also Bookbinding materials; Executive Departments and inde- pendent establishments; Government publications; Jackets; Library

of Congress; Permanent Conference on Printing; Rush work; Style

Manual; Tests and Technical Control Division; also names of de- partments, bureaus, etc. Publications. See Government publications; Tests and Technical Control

Division. Purchases, for the 3-ear 36 Q

Questions relating to depository libraries 40 R

Radio, for employees 84

Radio address on activities of Government Printing Office employees 86

Recommendations. See Public Printer. Record. See Congressional Record.

Recreation Association. See G. P. O. Cafeteria and Recreation Association. Recreation rooms. See Rest and recreation rooms. Red Cross. See Contributions.

Refrigerating equipment, in Cafeteria, etc 78, 79, 83

Rejection of materials. See Supplies.

Relief associations. See Benefit associations. Remodeling. See Alterations. Reports:

Annual reports

Business of Government Printing Office, printing discontinued.. 99

Size and number printed, and cost 34

Annual reports of

Public Printer 1 Technical Director 113

See also Congressional documents and reports; also subject.

Research, in foreign countries 63-67

See also Cooperation.

Research work. See Cooperation; Research. Reserved funds, saving of 1 Resolutions: Of—

American Library Association 40

G. P. O. Cafeteria and Recreation Association 84

International Typographical Union 4 Mechanical Conference of American Newspaper Publishers

Association 55 Wickersham Commission (National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement) 13 On behalf of officials and employees of Government Printing Office- _ 98

Resolutions (publications). See Congress. Rest and recreation rooms: Bowling alleys

Bowling leagues 86, 87 Number, etc 85, 86, 87

Dedication, etc., of Green Room and Annex 84

Established 88
Index

Page

Retirement, of employees 1, 91 Retirement fund, contributions of Government Printing Office employees

to 92

Reviews. See Commendation.

Roller and Glue Section, work of 49

See also Printing presses.

Rollers. See Printing presses. Ruling ink. See Inks. Rush work, cost of 23 S

Salaries

Average annual earnings decrease : 3 Increased under Kiess Act 6 Paid to employees 6 Reduction opposed by Public Printer 7

See also Wages.

Sales. See Government publications. Salesroom. See Government bookstore. Sanitary Director. See Medical and Sanitary Director. Sanitation. See Government Printing Office. Saturday half holidays. See Holidays.

Savings and economies, pledges to Director of the Budget fulffiled 1 See also Unexpended balances. Savings societies, voluntary relief associations serve as 93

Senate. See Congress. Senate Executive Journals. See Executive Journals of Senate. Separations from the service. See Employees, Number; Retirement.

Seventieth anniversary of establishment of Government Printing Office.- 94 Sheet-Metal Section. See Pipe and Sheet-Metal Section. Sick benefit associations. See Benefit associations. Sick employees. See Hospital.

Signal-board system, for calling type machinists 77

Silverfish, attacking of books by 51

Slicker. See Silverfish. Smoking, when and where permitted 88

Societies. See Organizations.

Solvents, investigation 126

Specifications of patents. See Patent Office. Speeches:

Paid for by Members of Congress out of their personal funds 8

Printing of speeches and amounts received 8

Stacks. See Library stacks. Stamping machines. See Time stamps.

Standard blank books. See Blank books. Standard forms. See Forms.

Standardization

InPrinting industry 50 Of—

Inks 125

Paper 60

Plates, bases, and cylinders 61 Type metal 119 Standards Bureau, cooperation with Tests and Technical Control Division 50, 115, 125

State Department, printing for 33

Stationery

Embossed letterheads and envelopes 2 Envelopes received and rejected __- 117

Franked envelopes for mailing speeches and publications, cost 8

Inventory, quantity and cost of paper and envelopes on hand 110

Letterheads, noteheads, and envelopes printed 2

Paper, envelopes, blank books, and forms for Departments, etc 34r
Index 145

statistical tables: Page

Charges for work 107

Financial statement, 3-year period, appropriations 104 Inventory 110 Itemized cost of work 109 Moneys received 106 Operating expense, productive onh- 108

Production, printing and binding 106 . Publications printed for Congress, Departments, etc 111 Receipts from sales of wastes 111 Resources and liabilities 103 Steam, consumption 78

Stereotj'pe metal. See Metal.

Storage, purchase of property for storage purposes 80

See also subject involved, e. g.. Type.

Stores (supplies). See Supplies. Stores Division, new equipment 76

Style Manual, revised edition i . 22

Subscriptions. See Contributions. Sulphite paper. See Paper.

Sunday work 2 Superintendent of Accounts and Budget Officer, statistical tables, compilation 103 Superintendent of Documents. See Public Documents Division. Supervisory officers. See Officials. Supplies

Articles in stores can be located immediately 7S

Condemned materials sold 111 Delivered to Government Printing Office ^ 35

Inventor}'

Cost of material and supplies on hand 110 Index cards 73

Miscellaneous materials furnished to all Government agencies by

Government Printing Office 35, 126

Rejection of materials 49

See also Bookbinding materials; Photo-engraving.

Surgical cases. See Hospital.

Synchronous converter 80 T

Tables. See Finances; Statistical tables. Tabulating cards, printing of 24-26, 117 Technical conferences. See American Society of Mechanical Engineers;

Mechanical Conference of American Newspaper Publishers Association. Technical Control Division. See Tests and Technical Control Division. Technical Director. See Tests and Technical Control Division. Telegrams. See Commendation.

Temperature. See Atmospheric conditions. Tenth anniversary of incumbency of George H. Carter as Public Printer. 97

Testimonials. See Resolutions.

Tests. See Tests and Technical Control Division. Tests and Technical Control Division:

Articles prepared for publication, list 127 Committee memberships of Technical Director 50, 128 Cooperation -^ith

American Newspaper Publishers Association 50, 52, 125 Chemistry and Soils Bureau 50, 115 Employing Bookbinders of America 50, 51, 116

International Association of Electrotypers 50

Lithographic Technical Foundation 50 Standards Bureau 50, 115, 125 United Typothetse of America 50, 62 Correspondence simplified bv issuing of technical bulletins 128 Equipment 47, 76, 127 Establishment 87

Location 47, 127
146 ' Index

Tests and Technical Control Division—Continued. Page

New laboratory and equipment 127 Report of Technical Director 113 Work of . 47-50, 115

See also name of commodity tested or investigated, e. g., Paper.

Textiles. See Atmospheric conditions. Thanks. See references under Appreciation. Threads. See Bookbinding materials. Time stamps 76

Tisdel, Alton P., Superintendent of Documents. See Public Documents

Division. Tobacco and candy stand in Cafeteria, new 83

Trade-unions. See names of unions.

Training. See Apprentices.

Treasury:

Deposit of miscellaneous receipts 1 Moneys received, the source, and Treasury deposit, table 106 Unexpended balances 1 Treasury Department, printing for 33

Trucks. See Motor vehicles. Turnover. See Employees, Number.

Type:

Number of ems of type set during the year 2 Storage 27

See also Detergents; Metal; Solvents. Type Book, new 20-22

Type-casting machines, number of typesetting and casting machines in Government Printing Office 81 Type metal. See Metal. Typesetting machines:

Development prophesied 81 Number of typesetting and casting machines m Government Printing

Office 81 Typographical Union. See International Typographical Union.

Typography. See Public printing and binding.

Typothetse of America. See United Typothetae of America:

U

Unexpended balances: Funds for purchase and improvement of property for storage purposes 80

In Treasury 1 Unions. See names of unions- United States Employees' Compensation Commission, claims allowed to Government Printing Office employees 91 United Typothetae of America:

Annual Conference on Printing Education 71 Cooperation with Tests and Technical Control Division 50, 62 V

''Valuation plan." See Government publications, Distribution. Vault. See Congressional Globe vault. Vehicles. See Motor vehicles. Ventilating installations Veterans. See Employees.

Veterans' Administration, printing for

Visit of Public Printer to Europe, 1931

Visitors taken through Government Printing Office by guide force W

Wages:

Average annual earnings decrease 3 Comparison of average wage in 1922-1931 with 1912-1921 6 Increased under Kiess Act 6 No reduction in rates of wages 3 Of skilled and unskilled trades subject to collective bargaining 6

7834

63-67

88
Index 147

Wages—Continued. I'age Paid to employees 6 Reduction opposed by Public Printer 7 See also Salaries. War Department, printing for 33 War-service preference, women entitled to 93 War veterans. See Employees.

Washington, George:

Bicentennial celebration of birth

Books about Washington ' 14 Writings of Washington 13 Washington, D. C, city post office, electric light and power furnished by

Government Printing Office power plant 108

See also District of Columbia.

Washington Bicentennial Commission, publications issued by 15 Washington Club of Printing House Craftsmen, appreciation of privilege of holding meeting in Harding Hall and of the interest of the Public Printer. 90 Washington Community Chest See Contributions. Washington Conference of Printing Industries. See American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Washington Navy Yard, cooperation w^ith Machine Section 74

Waste. See Government publications.

Weekly List of Government Publications: Compiled in Office of Superintendent of Documents 46

Established by Public Printer in 1928 46 Of special interest to librarians 46 Promotes sale of publications 46 Weekly edition of 10,000 copies 46 Wehmhoff, Byron L. See Tests and Technical Control Division. WeKare of employees. See Cafeteria; Harding Hall; Hospital; Physical

examination; Rest and recreation rooms. Wickersham Commission (National Commission on Law Observance and

Enforcement), resolution, printing reports of Commission 13 Women

Employed as printers 67 Number employed 93 Number entitled to war-service preference 93

Qualifying for appointment as apprentices 67 Work, overtime, Sunday, and holiday work 2 See also Commendation; Night work; Rush work; Sunday work.

Work beUs 76

Work orders. See Jackets. World War veterans. See Employees.

Wrapping paper. See Paper.

Writing ink. See Inks. Y

Yearbooks. See Agriculture Yearbook.

o