The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-27
MIR, John q Rives.

We mistake much if we have not shown to The people
ba, degree of reliance be placed on the oahs and
,emeDs of this individual. The materials we have
d in this task were gathered from evidence furnished
his own lips He may, perhaps. try to explain; and if
does, we must say of him. as the chairman OF the
ommtee on Printing {Co McWillie) of the las, Con-
es said we cannot permit man TO explain his oath
verbal statement.
We have shown from Mr. Rives's oath, made in 1870
hen bis own compensation at stake, the eager de-
Re be manifested prove that no invention had been
sde between the years 1919 and 1910 which materially
s,ened the expense of printing for the government
As TO composition. he showed that ii more costly
!, IS per cent in 1910 than in 1912
As 10 paper he endeavoei to impress the committee
nib the belief tina, Improvement had been made in it's
Manufacture which cheapened it to the printer
ht pressuok by mos, cunningly devised staeme nts,
endeavored to make IT appear that the invention of
be powepress mol an invention which enabled the
nnter to work much, if any. cheaper.
As TO the otos cost Of printing, he endeavored 10 prove
bis oath that the rates established in 1919 did not give
bore than proper compensation in 1870
As TO The quantity Of printing ordered, he proved that
J. expenses kept pace with the quantity ordered and
lths larger anoun ordered in 1910 gave the printer no
vantage over the printer of 1919.
Lest we may be charged with injustice we give ex-
Eis from Mr. Rivess statement, made under oath, sus
lnlng each Of the points made above.
A, TO composition he says, Rep No 29s, 26th Con-
rs, LIST session:)
"hwill be from what have said, that the prices
paid to ourneymen printers for congressional print.
least Is per than those paid in 1919
I'd for "a series of years AFTER"
q As to paper, he says. (sans document, page AZ: y
A.irn. am unacquainted with the prices of paper
ed for Congress work farther back than 1927 believe
printers paid about the last year that they
1877. Wepay less for paper, believe Than other
dnes for Congress have paid, because pay cash for
and take it such times is convenient for the
apermsker 10 make IT, We generally lay up enough in
Summer fall to last US during the winter The pa.
deaefs North often ship TO us largs quantities at re-
weed plce.-say or 10 per cent. below the usual selling
ees-when they are hard run Tor money. i believe that
shird Of what we have made at the printing business
been by purchasing paper for less than been paid
IL by other persons in this city.
2afaion. Have not many Improvements been m AIDE in
manufacture OF paper, and in The Of mate al there
which have greatly reduced the price Of paper for
Ennung stree 1919
AssTu. have but linle knowledge OF the paper
fafng business. know that paper is now made with
ach greater facility rapdity than il twenty years
10 but do not know whether it be made m uch
seaper The machines which make IL with the greatest
nPdy are, as have been iod, very costly The prnc.
a item Of cost in making paper il rags. 10 no, know
sher they cost more or less now than they aid in 1919
paper now used for congressional printing is better
Ian that used for the purpose in 1879 the bouwd
sumenu IN the library Of Congress win show. Whether
pnaeS pay more or lass for 1t now than paid In
49, DO not know"
| 4 a IN Drcss,ro,L ha $40. f-ox,o lau..... - =
A~~er. There has been no improvement sde so far
know. exceptin the pre.vork. The power-pre.s has
een greatly improved since 1919. la 1872 believe all
congress printing was done with Expresses. The
"rworf, when there 10 large quantry be done and
comes 10 regularly can be executed much chea per- in
Ophion on power press tina 1t can a hand press
depeuds altogether upon the quantity OF work and the
slU WIN which II comes to the printer hch Is the
sPe'l Congress work, iregusrly comes in, can.
no Doubt be done cheaper with power than IL can
| 10 hAhdprssses. Whether It cannot they mna
De used to execute H. as handpiesses cannot do 1t In
ume II IS necessary that it should be done Some OF
printing Establishments in the United States still
he hand presses In New York, where the best power
"e are made, The owners Of the largest printing office.
handpresses. We have three times as many poyve,
'es swoud be necessary TO do the Congress work IL IL
ne in regularly keep them all m AIMED during tho
@d Congress, work or no work and uill believe IL
rs rs less to do the presswork with them than /, onld
Or
ares miuue. All the printing executed 10, bo,h
Congress does not, IN my opinion average 300 mage.
NIUE. Dot we md all our pressp power necessary -,
e' TO execute the work within the time Il Is reopi,ed ~
done J viii conclude my answer TO this aue.tioo bv
'ihg an extract from the book on printing which I 49,
D,e quoted twin be found in page ia concluding an
oeie on presses and prcssswork
Alter all in the great variety Of form. and on.Ii,io
60 passing hfoseh any printing Office RECOURSE pus,
pc Rad U the aid OF good manual presse. and exn.ri
- Pir'smrn ibe serious expense Of printing ma.
he can only be repaid by executing an errrao,d,n.tv
sanity OF work in much less portion OF time than th,t
go occupied Tor the same work done by ordinary
k,s ~ therefore, The time consumed Ia wing on or
.hs ready form. must be valuable in proportoo 10 The
noe o. sheets which might be struck OIL in that t,m.
ehl reeton OF the previous process for short mn M.
Voud counter all gain. arising fon he need
81 10 anne printing viii therefore be only app
'' 10 The rhois coa Of printing, he says. (.ame
cunent, page 4s j
| I"'tom Considering the redostion In the price OF
ksois ana Of paper, by reason OF the Improvements.
"a former in,euogstory, AT what per cent
nsn he prices of 1873 the printing Of the House
R'cot -" Wv w"
a""" 10 my snswer TO The 9Th int rrosaiory. gave
w oPlnon that the prices now paid by Congress would
more than fair recompense the printer, II he
Ia Printing viii the necessary despatch. sod gave
=" 'oppoh Of that opinion"
!" ne ""nounf Of printing ordpsd, he states,
VIZ 'oeament, pagc ~ ,
&nt, comparative cost Of printing would be affected
-, NY ny t.kng IN coasideIs'ifn the ou,o~~f
- "Ae"u-e The amonaf required does change
Sr, PH'd 70 the Jurpsymen There ore, little pubic
y a. rc"e' more prrtug at The present time than
-. ms y. te has my e m. sssGy-y' more the
''"'n ior doing a.
:" MAJ be borne il min that 40 i"IT9sfment
t"V I" Tie mechanical execution Of The presawork
WI MA sioce isAo (whsn Mr.. Rves t stuffed