The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-04-16
NM pRINrING nusINrss.

THE fKlN MING hi>hNE>r.
Few people realize what an immense
industry tho printing business is. In
fact, good macy men who ought to
know better consider it merely an INCL
dental factor IN the worlds Affairs
never dreaming that in about nine in
stances out OF ten it FAR outranks their
own particular vocation In point Of inn
pcrtance financially, not TO mention the
tremendous effect 10 has had In the de-
velopment Of the greatest countries OF
the civilized world. But the purpose OF
this article is TO set forth the material
aspeots Of the printing business in the
United States. 10 which effort we have
recourse 20 the recent bulletin OF the
census office relating 70 manufactures.
That very useful publication reveals the
fact that in the matter OF wages paid
during the census year 1890 the print
ing business was third in importance IN
the United States. the gross sum dis
bursed among breadwinners being slOi,-
9o447J Workmen in establishments
that manufacture mems clothing made
little more an together, but individu-
ally they made a good deal less. The
same Is true Of workmen IN machine
shops and foundries. In point Of
the number Of employees the print
Ing business is fourth, IN CAPT
tai invested it is seventh. in value
Of product seventh, in number
OF establishments eighth. The number
Of establishments is 1859, representing
sl95,232535 IN capital, employing lG4,-
$50 people, and turning out finished
product Of value Of 1J,0S3,94.
About two-thirds Of the expenses OF
the printing business are for wages, and
this is true Of only one other industry
Of any consequence. that OF the making
OF gas for illuminating and heating pur-
poses Not less than two-thirds Of the
people ana capital employed in the
printing business are engaged in the
making Of newspapers and periodicals,
the other one-third being in the job
printing and book printing lines. The
estimated value Of the product Of news
paper aud periodical publishing houses
is S179,8j9,7JO. Add to this the very
large sums spent for books in this coun-
try and an approximate idea can be had
OF the money it requires annually 20
supply the demand Of the American
people for current news and other men
tai pabulum. Omitting the expense Of
books, the figures show that about 81
is spent annually by each family for
newspapers and magaz mes.
The making OF neNal apers and peri
odicals is the most important manufac-
turing ndu.t-y in Montana. Tho cen
sus bulletin does not pretend 10 be- en-
tirely complete, but gives the figures q
the establishments reporting. Only
forty-one ara reported from th.s state.
when there are about eighty uewsp papers
published 10 n5 many different offices un
Montana So tine figures given are FAR
below the actual facts The forty-one
publishing houses reporting pay unnu-
ally in wages 53J, SD, and the forty not
included viii swell that sum very ma
terlally. The next most important
manufacturing industry ln this state is
the production % lumber and other mill
products from logs or bolts, 10 paying 10
wages u 1890 the sum % s335 400
IHE statement OF Dr. MIGUEL, the
Pruss.an minister Of finance, that ho
approves tie plan ~ the Dutch finance
minister. DR. Person, fo- issuing silver
oerihcates against silver deposits, such
certificates % 10 tll,en at par in pay
ment Of customs aud internal taxes. is
significant y the great change % senu-
mcnt toward silver in Europe. Count
BosadoNs6y. secretary ~ tho imperial
treasury, is authority for the opluton
that the German government probably
viii favor some plan ike that of DR.
Person FOR q fuller recognition % silver
a. first stcu toward b.metallsm.
France America and Germany ura
ready for tho dual standard and Eng
iaud 81 more than half Inclined AUtue
more agitation lu that country uIl
bring forth successful international
conference.