The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-08-01
HOW OUR PAPER MONEY Is MADE.
A Process Full of Reconsideration
Against Mistakes and Counterfeits.

Pittsburg Dispatch
On the wide-stretching plain over which
the Washington monument casts its slim
shadow when the sun is setting stands
tall brick building, made conspicuous by
a still taller tower and a waving flag All
day long q chimney belches forth black
smoke that drifts out upon the Potomac
and noisy steam pipe sends forth cloud
of white vapOr in regular aspirations. At
O'Clock in the morning nearly 1000 peo-
pie pass under its arched doorway, and at
o'clock they emerge again, like bees from
hive. In the meantime they make money
make it in purely matter-Of-fact way,
as a weaver weaves carpets or a cobbler
mends shoes for daily living. They exist
III an atmosphere of wealth. Great stacks
of money, that are a sight for poverty
stricken eyes, stand around them. The
poorest girl in the Bureau of Engraving
handles enough money every day to make
her rich for life.
1t is an interesting sight to see how the
government turns out day by day tons and
tons of crisp. new bank notes or silver GER
tificates--tO watch the silent engravers
etch the steel, the shirtsleeved plate print
ers take the impressions and the careful
messengers carry off the finished bills by
the cart load. So interesting. indeed, is
this work of money-making, says the
washington fOSt, tnat Inc bureau began
to be Overrun by visitors, who seriously in
terfered with its work. Now. visitors are
only admitted between 10 A. NJ. and 2 p. NJ.
on Saturdays, and during these hours
himself at the arched door, and, under the
leadership OF a pretty girl guide, sees how
Uncle Sam replensheS his cash.
When Congress has ordered the issue of
new series of notes the first step in the
bureau is the preparation of what's known
as the model This is generally hand
some pen-and-ink drawing of the proposed
bill, and Is submitted finally. to the Secre-
tary of the Treaasury for his s.. approval:
chance. The banker does not regard money
from purely artistic sand point. Hewants
the denomination TO be plain aud distinct
and he asks that the figure of the note be
facilitate counting. The fact that q note
must bear a certain title rather restricts
the artist in the preparation of the model,
new twenty ID ollar silver certificate. which
bears the portrait of the late Secretary
Manning, both utility and artistic beauty
are combined. In this particular bill the
| artist has made q striking innovation. The
| portrait, instead of being at one end Of the
note. Is In the center, and is supported on
| the sides by figures of Prosperity and La
Dor. The lettering is at the extremities of
the certlh cate and tn, the erect Produced by
| The model having been adopted, the next
| step is the engraving of the plate. The
| room in which this work is done is large,
| well-lighted apartment on the ground floor.
1t must not be supposed for a moment that
| the entire face of a note is engraved by one
man. The portrait goes to one, the vignette
| to another, the lettering, script and borders
| to others, and so on until no less than
| twelve men are at work. 1t is long and
| tedious task, requiring great care and &C
curate skill. No less than six weeks time
| is necessary for the engraving of portrait
| like that of Secretary Manning. The steel
used is all imported from England, and is
| remarkably line grade. Engravers all over
| the world use English steel, and have done
| so for a century.
Steel of equal quality could be made in
this country, but the demand would not be
| sufficient to recompense tor the cost of the
plant. Even the engraving tools are im-
! ported. being manufactured by a Partisan
firm which for many years has had q mo-
nopoly of the business.
When, at the end of many months Of care
| full engraving. the various portions of the
ton is taken upon solid plate of steel.
Each separate part is placed in the position
| it would occupy on the note. and when the
| transfer is finally accomplished, the face of
the new bill appears in perfect form. The
| plate is hardened, and across its engraved
| surface is passed soft steel roller, The de-
preston of the plate appears on the roller as
| a raised surface, and when the little cylinder
has been hardened it is perfect die. Ii in
| turn is rolled by tremendous pressure upon
plate of soft steel The power exerted TO
force the fine lines of the die into the steel