The Labor enquirer., 1883-01-13
gratis. AS PUBLIC PRINTERS.
I ours, etc.,
HIRAM DURYEA.

In nearly all contracts let by the gov
ernment or the state quality of material
and excellence of workmanship are
essential parts of the bargain, and any
! imperfections submits the bidder to loss
and his work TO rejection. But in Colo
RADIO the state printing seems to be let
under different system. 1t is awarded
to the lowest bidder at price so small
that he must use some dishonest or dis
honorable method of extracting a living
profit Sometimes, as four years ago, the
margin is made by offsetting the half
price of composition by binding and
stitching at three or four prices. This
year the proprietors of the Times have
resorted to different tactics. They have
resolved to make the profits off their
employees. To do so, they have hired
cheap, incompetent hands and runaway
apprentices. Anyone noticing the legis-
lative proceedings from day to day can
mark the result. The senate has once
been compelled to adjourn on account Of
delay in the printing Of bills, and every
day complaints are heard in both
branches, Of errors and delay. In the
report of Thursdays session We find the
following:
Senator Eddy desired to know. why
the bills were not printed and presented
in the order in which they were sent to
the printer.
"Mr. Stanger made motion that Sena-
tor Eddy should be appointed commit
tee of one to investigate the subject
which motion was carried; whereupon
Senator Eddy desired to present his res
ignation as such committee, which was
accepted.
"The committee on printing, through
its chairman, Senator Stanger, made a
report as to the condition of the printing
of several bills"
Senator Eddy introduced a resolution
that the printing committee be instructed
hereafter to have bills printed in the
order of their introduction. Laid over
under the rules.
"The committee on printing made
another report, reciting slight errors in
printing of some of the bills, which re-
port was adopted"
"Mr Bergh inquired what had become
of the calendar of the house.
''The speaker said that the calendar
had been sent to the printer.
"Mr. Breen said the work was to have
been finished by 10 o'clock, but was not
done. 1t was the fault of the printer.
"Mr. Bergh said there was too much
fault somewhere. Not one-half the work
was done, and that incorrectly, and the
business of the house was being delayed.
"TAe speaker said if the gentleman
could suggest remedy the house would
be obliged
after some debate, participated in by
several members, it was decided not to
proceed with the further reading Of bills,
for the reason that printed copies had
not been furnished.
"On motion of Mr. .Bergh, special
committee of three was ordered to inves-
tigate the causes of the delay in the pub
lie printing. Messrs. Bergh, G. T. Clark
and Royal were appointed as the COM
mittee."
1t must be borne in mind that they
are now forced to give out some of the
printing to union offices, and in view of
what they botched in the past it is safe
to assume that they are still making the
blunderS.
Another point: Bill work is the
easiest, cheapest. and toughest kind of
printing What kind of work will the
Times turn out when it comes to the
book work-journals, reports, laws, etc.
work that requires skill and experience?
If that paper continues to hold the con-.
tract, the journals and session laws of
1888 will be monumental evidences of
cheapness and incompetence, and pre-
sent the usual earmarks of "rat" labor.
If the state is rich enough to pay for
good work, it should pay for it and ex-
act it.
+ GOVERNOR GRANT.