Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-05-16
THE EVENING STAR.
ih'RSDAf..... I6. Is1s.
Treasury Bureau Of Eo-raxt,p a,s
Hrinfir,,r -
THURSDAY

DEBATE IN THE SENATE ON THE Rrr IN
PROVIDE FIRE PROOF BUILDING ron rHs
BUREAU.
In the Senate yesterday. while the hm q,
provide fire proof building for the use NJ the
Bureau OF Engraving and Printing. was under
consideration,
MIR. Conkling said he thought the hill ShouIs
not be passed until the plans had been per
iected, and the exact cost known. Ii had been
the practice 10 start public buildings on eSu-
mates, and make repeated calls for additional
appropriations 10 complete the structures
ms. thurman asked If the building was
Mr.. Conkling said he had often heard IL said
!hat the work could be done by private con
tlact cheaper. He had even heard that the
n pos y STEM could he better maintained. aud
me ~ork done more satisfactorily, and at less
COST, by private parties under contract That
perhaps, was, however, an extreme illustra-
tion. be believed if the bureau was nut in
competition with the private establishments
he work could be done cheaper nv thosc
establishments which are already fitted for the
business. He did not believe il best TO eNpand
the bureau and put il in opposition TO those
ALREADY engaged in the business.
Mr.. Thurman inquired when the bureau was
created and how the work was done prior to
that time. The government had its bonds and
notes before that time. How were they exc
Cuied.
Mr.. Conkling said before the creation of tn.
bureau the work was done 10y the bank note
companies. When the war came il was
1rnonght there must be q paper mill in the
treasury department, and all kinds of paper
was issued. The bureau had gradually for
titled and strengthened itself until il had be-
Come petrifed in the Treasury department as
permanent institution of the government
Ii seemed TO him best that the mans he per
iecfed and the bill be based on these plans and
the estimate of cost.
Mr.. Morrill, said he did not think that he or
The committee could perfect plan that would
not be open TO the criticism 10y the Senator
The committee had a sketch and an estimate
OF The cost Of the materials, labor, etc. with
the cost of each item. The building was to be
built by contract, which could not exceed the
amount appropriated. As Ia the economy of
the bureau, he had no doubt that from - To %
per cent. was saved by il. 1t was not expected
10 eXalt and expand the bureau, hut To enable
1t TO perform its functions with greater econ
omy and with better facilities, and Ia prevent
further damage 10 the present building and
at the same time make room for branches OF
the Treasury now occupying buildings outside.
Mr.. Blaine said he had been struck 10y the
question 81 the Senator from Ohio. Prior to
the var, the demand for this class of work
wJuld not give employment To a small bank
company. We did not even use postage stamps
up to lSG0. There was no great monetary in
SiitutIon in the world that trusted this work
beyond their reach. The bank OF England
made its own paper; the bank of France dis
the same. Would the senator thinF d
put the plates and dies 80 safe To
bonds heyoud a. pod. al the notes and
al,i;ir--- control and giving others the
! 20 not only counterfeit its own notes
but TO issue them? Such course might lead
10 the bankruptcy of the government or de-
SToy The value OF its notes. Not even the
bureau OF engraving aud printing was en-
trusted with the whole process. but one half
was done by the bank note companies. aud the
EIlerlng and numbering was done i'm ths
Treasury department.
Mr.. salisbury said as a member NJ H.
committee he had favored the bill. r.r;notpSS
OF the probable costs were submitted. While
.oI pubic buildings generally the approprIa
o oiSi was made first, and then the plans and
AT this point the morning hour pxpirad and
the bill wentOyer. ~" "'''