New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-24
THE PUBLIC PRINTERS PROTESTS.

A WOSDROUS TALE VI t''N''ii i NC'"r' T''Ai-''i
QUESTIONS.
WASHINGTON Fob % (Speciah. investiga-
tion of the Goverpue Printing Ofice, which was
becnn on Tuesday, was resumed today with Pub
lie Printer Benedict on the stand. Before the ex-
animation of sir Benedict began-for some
reason the Democrats are anxious to let Benedict
off very easily. and one or Two OIL
them appear 20 be aging ms ms counseiLMr. INN
mings moved that the stenographIc report be con-
fined strictly to thu testimony and that all feter,
ence to soeechrs and arguments be eliminated
from the report Mr. Gallinger did not OBJECT, ont
Inc did not want the resolution OF Mr.. Cummlngs
70 be retroactive and was wiling that "
should apply to the future examination. By
marty vote however, the resolution was agreed TO-
Mr. Richard son asked Mr.. Benedict to tell the
committee what the expenses OF the Printing
Office were at the present time ana what Iney MA
been. Mr.. Benedict thereu Don began to glority
himself by calling attention to inc . ate-
ments contained IN hls annual report, ana 10
imnress he committee with the idea that his late
predecessor was The most extrayagant OF public
printers As he was about to IN orm the committee
OF what he had saved, Mr.. Calm ter objected. saw
BrSSug dha' @s pFfsrr'% '0 that wcud
be uropounded further along in the
rescue of the pubic printer by suggesting that
time cou d be saved If Mr. Benedict would explain
TO the committe. how the savings alluded to In his
annual report had been effected. This vas the
opportunity desired by Nr. Benedict and for about
fiji cen minutes he ratified along at n fearful rate
hardly taking time to answer question put TO
of the past year amounted to more than
1892, 900, and nOtwIt hsta ndin2 that great saw
ing more and better work had been executed and
the men were earning higher wages lhe increase
liz wages. under his management. TO the men was
between So aud So per month he force
had been reduced, and the employees, there
fore were working to better advantage. lie LAID
great stress on the point that his employees lost less
time than formerly VIII they drew their pay.
Instead OF having line formed. the employees on
pay day would come one az tms 10 the cashier
and receive their pay in envelope, return 10
their bench OF case without Interrupting the work
OF the office.
MIR Gibson inquired what that had to do with the
savings effected. Mr.. Benedict replied that It was
the saving of valuable time to the employees and
the Office The Office he SAID, was using better
materials and the prices paid were uniformly lower
than previously known in the history of the
office. lie went to the stable for an illus-
traton OF his economy. when L took
charge" said he, IL found we were using
horses: we now do more work wth'htteen horses.
He stated that saving of $500 mad been etfec ted
III the construction of al ice Oh st, and that the
gas bill had been reduced $1,000 during hIs adj;
tn toe @S 9: GsG are "ad o
little things said he, little details twenty-five
on whIc1 the savings, while small. amount 10 con-
asked him to explain how it was that he bought
the best materials at such low prices. Mr.. Bene-
dict replied that he bought as private individual;
but upon being pressed 70 explain he evaded the
question and Mr.. Richardson came to his
Mr.. Benedict having made a great noise md
hurrah about the extravagance OF his late prcde
cesSOT in he purchase OF ink, Dir. GallInGer began
TO ask some pertinent quo ,tions Oh that subject.
"Mr Benedict said he, "you say you
have bought printing ink at IL cents
per pound that was q better ink than that
purchased by he late Mr. Rounds for forty cents
per pound. Are you expert in the matter of
ipkf Mr.. Benedict hesitated and said he was an
expert IN the light that every printer was an ex-
pert. =, =,
Mr. Galnger asked If he could tell the
grade and value of the various printing inks.
Mr. Benedict said he could. In response to
other question he said that his judgment was
governed by tae Judgment OF the foreman of the
press.room and the foreman of printing