Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-14
MACHINES FOR TYPOS
May Soon Be Adopted by Uncle Sam
for His Printing Office.
PRACTICAL TRIAL TO BE MADE
The Views of Congressman Richardson, an
0ld-Time Printer.
CONGRESS WILL ACT ON THE MATTER
- HtYRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.

1FROM A STAFF tCORRESPONDENT.1
WASHINGTON, July bit is only ques-
tion of a few months when the type-setting
machine will be given trial in the Govern.
ment printing office, and If the machine can
do all that is claimed for it, it will unques-
tionably be adopted by Uncle Sam. Several
weeks ago Public Printer Palmer and Cap
tain Brian, Foreman of Printing, went over
to New York for the purpose of inspecting
the workings of the MoTganthaler and the
Thorn type-setting machines. They re-
manned in New York almost a week, wit
messed the work of the machine and were
surprised at the perfection attained.
Neither Public Printer Palmer nor Fore
man Brian have committed themselves on
the subject. They speak in high terms of
the Morganthaler and the Thorn machines.
They did not see the Roger typograph ma
chine, which has been adopted by the lead
ing papers of New York, and therefore were
unable to make a comparison of its work
with the other machines.
In speaking of his visit to New York. Pub
lie Printer Palmer said to THE DISPATCH cor
the type-setting machines gave us all the IN
formation in their possession on the subject.
They did not seem surprised at our visit.
but intimated that the time was soon at hand
to give the type-setting machine trial. The
machine is truly wonderful, and sets type
with almost human intelligence"
Opinion of an Old Printer.
Representative James D. Richardson, of
Tennessee, an old printer and member of
the House Committee on Printing, has given
considerable thought to the subject. He said
to your correspondent that he was aware
that while Public Printer Palmer and Cap
tain Brian were in New York they had
examined the type-setting machines and
nh, k1,1,.,
Il cannot say at this time" said he, that
the type-setting machine will, be adopted by
the Government for use IN the printing
office. 1 have heard some talk, however,
that it was possible that the various type
setting machines would in the very near
future be given trial there. I think Con-
gress will consider the question next winter.
In my Judgment the Committee on Print
ing, in conjunction with the Printing Com
mittee of the Senate, or perhaps special
committee to act with us, will be appoint ted
to examine into the practicability and work
ings of the different type-setting machines.
Expert testimony would no doubt be taken
as to the durability of the machine and the
cost of operation.
The Claims Made for It.
"It has been stated that one type-setting
machine can do the work of three or four
men and at a very low cost. If the expert
ment proves successful and it can be demon
strated that the Government can save
considerable sum, then IN my Judgment
Uncle Sam will avail himself of the benefit
of the labor-saving machine. 1t may be that
the printers of the country will protest
against the adoption by the Government of
any type-setting machine, but if the printers
will stop to think one moment they will see
the type.setting machine will not interfere
with their craft.
1.-The typesetting machine will reduce the
cost of printing to such low figure that it
will put in the reach of everyone reading
matter that before was beyond their means
trary will increase it. The type-settIng
machine, like the sewing machine, has come
to stay. While yet not in perfect state it
has produced wonderful results.
Printing Will Be Cheaper.
II think that in few years the majority
of our newspapers will be set up by the type
setting machine. 1t will cheaper the cost of
production and the workingman and farmer
will receive the benefit The appropriation
for the printing Office has steadily been on
the increase, caused by the growth of the
and if it can be shown that the
type-setting machine will make great saw
ing for the Government in the cost of print-
ing, you may depend on 1t that Congress will
consider all the facts to be had on
the subject"
1t is said that Senator Hawley is largely
in the Thorn machine, and that
he regards that machine as coming nearer
to perfection than any other type-setting
the Senate Committee on Printing and will
no doubt have considerable influence in Sc
curing trial for the machine in the print
ing office. One authority estimates that the
of machine type setting at the
Government Print ting Office would effect