Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-27
THE ENGRAVING BUREAU.
Preparing for the Change in the Head
of the ONCE.
THE COUNT OF NOTES AND STAMPS ABOUT COM
PLETEp-A TALK WITH THE NEW CHIEf-
HOW HE PROPOSES TO RUN THE BUREAU.

HOW HE PROPOSES TO RUN THE BUREAU.
The official count OF the notes, securities.
internal revenue stamps and other finished or
unfinished work at the bureau of engraving and
printing, which was commenced on Monday,
Will probably be completed to-day, and the
regular order of work OF the bureau be resumed
tomorrow. This counting has been performed
by the regular force Of counters in the various
divisions of the bureau. but their work has been
so arranged that no division has counted its
own work, that Is the work for which its count
was Responsible, and also Of the distinctive
paper in the bureau. Up TO the close OF work
yesterday the counting In the wetting. number
ing, surface and binding divisions had been
completed, leaving only the examining division
for to-day, although as this contains the largest
amount OF incomplete work II will occupy the
2ttentfon o the committee longest. The count
has been made under the supervision OF the
tary of the Treasury: Messrs II. \. Whitney,
Office; c. +. Lewis, OF the internal revenue
bureau: NJ. NJ Ogden. of the Office OF the con-
,roller OF the Treasury, and w. {. Joy, OF the
bureau OF engraving and printing.
when the count is entirely completed and
found to correspond with the reports OF the bu-
reau. the retiring chief, Capt. Burrill, viii he
successor. MIR. Edward o. Graves. viii assume
formal charge OF the bureau and its contents on
monday next y similar count has been made
with each change of the head OF the bureau, OF
which there have been five heretofore viz:
From Mr.. Clarke TO Mr.. McCartee from him TO
Mr.. Jewell, thence TO Mr. MCPHERSON, from him
to Cot Irish, and, at the iatters death. to Capt
Burriii. Mr.. Graves does not 60 TO the bureau
OF engraving ignorant, by any means. OF its
work, methods or management: on the con-
trary, he is probably better equipped In a
knowledge of the workings OF the establish
ment over which he IS 10 preside than any out
slider. His Information was gathered from an
extensive and exhaustive Investigation made
of the affairs OF the bureau and its management
q inn
lnent of Senator sherman as Secretary of the
Treasury, by committee OF which he was
chairman, his associates being Mr.. T.. f. Chap
man, at that time chief of the stamp division
OF the internal revenue bureau. and Mr.. Ed
ward Wolcott, of the office of the controller OF
Inc currency. The report OF that investigation.
which it is generally supposed was written by
MI Graves, was Il scathing denunciation OF the
loose, incompetent and eytravagant admins.
tTation of the affairs OF the bureau up To that
t!me and recommended a number of radical
reforms In It's management, the most OF which
were at once adopted by the Secretary
The most striking recommendation. however
was that the work of engraving and printing
the various notes aud securities should De dis
tributed among the different bank note com
panieS, leaving the bureau to simply afiX the
united states seal, to number and separate
them and deliver them to the treasurer. the
controller of the currency and the register as
required. This report and this especial recon-
mendation have been extensively quoted since
the bureau, and 1t has been asserted that he has
been placed at the head. OF the bureau simply
to destroy it and to distribute its vast work
among the bank note companies
TALK WITH THE new CHIEF
In relation to this charge Mr. Graves said TO a
STAR reporter: Il do not take back one thing l
said in that report for it represents my honest
belief at the time 1t was written There had
been no settled policy towards the bureau then
and its existence was matter of experiment
The eXtravagant management up To that date
In the reckless expenditure tor supplies and
material ll..ap f,f.
ployes: the incompetence OF It's officers in the
multiplication OF work simply TO give employ
mcnt to the surplus people who were borne
upon its rolls and the character of large num-
Der of the employees; the manifest disregard of
the interests of the government in the admin
fstration Of its affairs, and the lack of a def
mite policy by Congress in making appropri;-
tons for itssupport, all convinced me that the
further existence OF the bureau Dis an eyperi-
ment was not justified
"ThingS have, however changed considerably
since Them" said the reporter.
Certainly. After the adoption OF the most
important measures of reform suggested in our
report, a definite policy was adopted towards
the bureau, and it is now no longer an expert
ment but a fixed fact-a part OF the machinery
of the government. Its affairs Were reduced 10
business basis, and Congress has erected for its
use this large and handsome building. 1t hts
all the requisite machinery for effectively doing
Its work, and force OF trained employees, whose
skill and experience have been gained by long
years OF faithful service"
"Have you outlined any particular policy for
your own administration
my only object will be to administer the
affairs Of the bureau economically and eli
GENTLY. AT present, while i have q general
knowledge of the work, am of course unac-
quainted with its details. To thoroughly mas
ter those will be my first object"
"There are rumors that you contemplate
making some sweeping changes. Is there any
foundation for thein?'
''None whatever. 1t IS not likely that with a
desire to give an economic and efficient admin
iStratiOn l should commence by a sweeping re-
moval of those whose skill and experience
would cOntribufa a that end 7 a.,
want understood, and that is that this bureau
is not an eleemosynary institution. Not q place
in which persons can obtain work simply on
account of their personal misfortunes. When
appointments are made they win be because OF
a vacancy existing in the bureau and not be-
cause some one wants place. My whole
record in regard to appointments in the civil
service is well known, and it is not likely that
VIII weld any Of the opinions have hereto
How about the change in the backs of the
national currency?'
Nothing has been determined in that direc-
ton yet, although the subject has been dis
cuSsed. l think myself that the old picture
backs and the green tint were much superior
TO the present mud-colored backs which are
really the worst work yet put out. In fact
hardly any Of our notes and securities are de-
signed with a view to artistic effect. The en-
craving and lettering are OF superior work
ship, but their utilization is not skillfui or ar
tistic. Here" continued M. Graves producing
the design of which is thoroughly artistic,
though the Workmanship does not compare
with that upon our notes. The modelling OF
bank notes is an art in itself. and its highest
attainment is only after years of experience
and practice, coupled with u true artistic in
stinct and education"
'As long as the government does its work of
engraving and printing should 1t not do it for
all departments without competing with private
corporations"
al think there should be sufficient confidence
in the ability OF the bureau 10 do the best class
Of work at the lowest possible figure so thas
when any department desires work Of this kind
it would send its order here with perfect AS
surance that every condition of excellent work
manshtp and minimum of cost will be fulfilled.
1t will be my aim TO inspire such confidence"
allow about the distinctive paper: is there
anything in the report TO the effect that a
water-mark paper, similar to that used by the
Bank OF England. Is to be adopted?"
"The committee has made its report upon the
bids for distinctive paper, and the decision rests
with the Secretary. In regard to the water
mark paper it may be said that, while the Bank
ton for its notes, the engraving upon those
notes is of the most ordinary character. We, on
the contrary, have multiplied the engraving
upon our notes, both face and back being SD
distinguished. In fact, it is difficult to perceive
even the distinctive silk thread. The decision
as TO the paper, however, rests with the Secre-
tary, and his orders will be carried out In
to the bureau, shall simply endeavor TO give
an honest, economical and efficient administra-
ton Of its affairs. What changes, ii any, may
be necessary in its personnel will only take
place after a thorough investigation of the de-
tails of the work, and solely with that object in
view."
The statement published In many papers that
the failure OF the bureau OF engraving and print
ing to secure the contract for the postage stamps
would necesSitate large reduction in the force
which had been employed upon that work, is
wholly without foundation, as the bureau has
never printed any OF the postage stamps, all
ffov uOrk NM fIaYl a