National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-01-31

The Government Printing Office is tho prop.
erty of the Government. The Public Printer
is its superintendent, discussing officer
whose duty it is TO employ aud pay pcrson'
for doing the work. Tho prices paid are more
liberal than anywhere else in this country.
Compo5tors who arc employed by the piece
nre paid fifty cents per 1000 ems, aud such as
DO not work by the piece are paid forty cents
per hour. or S;I.20 for D day of eight hours en-
ployment. Roolsbinders arc paid the same
wages per hour aud day.
In answer to inquiries made rs TO the wagee
paid competitors and binders in other cities,
the following kilograms were received:
BALTIMORE, Jan 40 1880
Forty cents per 1000 ems.
G. W. AuELL Sun.
NEw YoGW, Jan. %, 1850.
We pay forty cents per 1000 ems.
JOnDAN l.. FoRD, n Y. Tribune.
CHICAGO. Jan. 10 1850.
We pay thirty eight cents per / OOl ems.
Tribune CJtnpany
CISCTSSArT. Jan. 80 1880
Weare paying thirty-llye cents per 900 UmS.
GdsGtic Company.
THE NATGoNAL REPUBLICAN, and Post OF
this city pay forty cents per 900 cans. Daily
papers in many Of the Western States pay but
twenty-five cents.
Nrw YoRK, Jan. 90 1880
Ayorose pay of bookbnder' from $3.50 to s. for
RosESQuEsr, UtGrFr & BROTHERS.
J. b. LippinGott e Co.. of Philadelphia,
say ut is so much question of skill and
ability that an average is impossible"
1t Will bo seen that the wages patd posi-
tors aud binders arc twenty-five per cent.
greater than paid by private establishments
in this city and elsewhere.
For labor done by compositor5 and binders
in December the sum Of Si0,0276J was paid,
being S12, 1870 more than IL paid for at tho
wages paid by private establishments.
Notwithstanding these exceedingly liberal
wag's, certain misunderstanding employees
have made themselves busy in stirring up
dissatisfaction because tho holidays kept by
the Executive Department are not observed
and paid for by this office.
Tho appropriations made for the Executive
Departments are for the payment oil fixed
salaries. Those for the public printing and
binding are for the payment for work to be
dono by the piece or hour, aud not to be
paid for work not done.
We're tho Executive Department holidays
observed aud pail for by this office, the sum
taken from the Treasury aud paid out with
out consideration would exceed $4,000 per
annum, as the daily payroll will average be.
tween 81 900 and 81, 200 per day
Now, because | will not thus sqnamder the
public money an indignation meeting, iusti-
gated by these men, was held in tho office oh
last Wednesday, during my absence at the
Capitol on business. Whether or not they will
again have an opportunity Of creating dis.
satisfaction among the employees is u matter
for further determ ination.
As an appeal has been made to Congress on
this subject, until q law shall he passed direct
ing the Public Printer to distribute the public
money to persons for net working, there will
be no holidays IN this office at the expense of
the Government.
This establishment will continue to be man.
n11 t,,,,
meetings, or commttceS of any sort, in accord
nnGe with my own Judgment as to what is best
and just for the Government, as well as fair
and just to those employed.
JoHS D. DEFREEs.
Public Printer.