Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-11-22
VERNMENT PAPER.
Facts Concerning tho Paper Used In
q. u. Bonds, Greenbacks and
Revenue Stamps.
fChicago Herald.1

All tho paper Issd in tho printing Of gov.
ernment bonds, greenbacks, national bank
notes, revenue stamps Cigar, beer aud
whisky, checks Of assistant treasurers and
disbursing officers, is manufactured at
Dalton, Mass, under the supervision and
control of trusted agents, employed by the
government. Every shset of paper there
made L. counted and record carefully kept
Of the number turned out each day. When
it is shipped to Washington it is again
counted and delivered to the chief Of the loan
division of the treasury department, who re-
ceipts for the same and keeps it in his cus-
tody until requisition is made npon him by
the superintendent Of the bureau of engrav-
ing and printing as occasion may arise.
Upon rs delivery at the bureau OF engrav-
ing and printing the paper is turned over to
the chief of the wotting division, who, after
counting 1t, receipts for it, and is for the
meantime responsible for its custody So
carefully is this division conducted that in
nine years, although almost countless bill
ions upon billions of sheets have been there
prepared for printing, there has been only
shortage of one single sheet. The Office Of
the wetting division |, to wet the paper and
keep 1t in moist condition until it is callel
for by the printers. This is done by cover
ing it with layers Of wet cloths, pressed down
by heavy weights.
Various qualities of paper are used, due
regard being had to the purpose for which
the paper is destined The paper used for
government bonds, national bank notes, and
checks of disbursing officers L. the v:ry best
quality of silk-fibere1, the texture Of which
counterfeiters find it very difficult to initiate
-as difficult as the engraving itself. The
paper, however, on which cigar and whisky
and beer stamps are printed is especially pre-
pared with view to inferiority. In fact, it
is made as rotten as is consistent with its
holding together. the object being to make it
tear easily when cancelled, 10 that tho sasne
stamp cannot be used twice. The size Of the
sheets used in printing money is about nine
by fourteen inches, each sheet being designed
to make four notes.
The plate printers-who, BY tho way, are
paid Ivy the piece-nake daily requisition
upon the chief of the wetting division for
such number Of sheets as they think they can
cover. Each printer has q female assistant,
who divides with him the responsibility for
the safe keeping Of the sheets delivered to tho
printer. These assistants are paid Sl.25
day, which amount is deducted from the
earnings of the printer by the government
and paid directly into the hands Of t le as
sistants The printers, however, have no
voice in the selection of their as is ants.
They are appointed by the superintendent of
the bureau and by him assigned to duty. The
usual method of obtaining sheets from the
wetting division is by the printer making a
written order for the number desired, and it
is handed to his assistant, who presents it,
with the printers pass. book, to the chief Of
the wctting division. The numher desircl is
delivered to her and her receipt counter
signed Ivy the printer, is taken for the SAME.
The number OF sheets thus delivered is also
entered upon the printers pass-book.
The responsibility Of the safe custody of tho
sheet thus passes from tho wetting division to
the printer and his assistant, who are account
nble for every sheet delivered to them, and
who are required, before leaving the building,
after the conclusion of their days labor, to
render a strict account of every sheet deliy-
cred to them on that day. II there is a short
age Of but a single sheet the doors are locked,
and not a soul is suffered to leave the build
ing until the missing sheet is found. Before
leaving the building every en,ploye is re-
quired to exhibit printed pass The printer,
being provided with paper, goes to the err
craving division and makes requisition for an
engraved plate, which is delivered to him,
and his receipt taken for the same. The
plates correspond in size to the paper, and
each contains engravings Of one sile of four
notes. The printers are divided into various
classes, some being assigned to the printing Of
faces of notes or bonds, and others to the
printing of their backs; some to printing
bonds, others again to cigar cnd whisky
stamps or beer stamps, as the case may be.
The backs are always printed first, after
which the sheets are returned to the wetting
division, to remain in a state of moisture un-
til called for by the face printers