Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-14
THE DISTRICT PRINTING.
Mr.. Blake Proposes to Have the Gov
eminent Printer Do 1t.


eminent Printer Do 1t.
Mr.. E. NJ. Blake has prepared resolutions
to introduce at the meeting of the Columbia
Typographical Union tomorrow that will
undoubtedly provoke an earnest discussion.
At the last meeting Of the Federation of
Labor in this city Mr.. Blake presented the
draft of bill. which was approved by the
Federation, to abolish the contract system
under the District government.
At tomorrcws meeting Of the Columbia
Typographical Union he will Introduce
series Of resolutions, instructing the presi-
dent and secretary of the union ito draft
DILL directing that all printing and binding
done by or on behalf of the District of Co.
lumbia shall be done under the supervision
and control of the public printer. and that
no printing or binding for use of the District
of Columbia shall be done by contract" and
appointing the officers named committee
10 urge the passage of such a measure by
Congress.
Star reporter asked Mr. Blake today lis
reasons for desiring such a radical change
In the system of printing and binding for
the District government.
ASIDE from the direct benefit to my fell
low craftsmen which would result from the
proposed legislation" explained Mr.. Blake,
lis the possibility that it may also cause an
investigation, which would serve to DEM
onStr2te the commendable business meth
DDS of the government printing office as now
administered.
Our union" he continued. "has been al
ways able to uphold the government in do
ing its own work under the existing system
by showing that the work is done in a su-
perior manner and cheaper than it can be
done under the contract system. If Mr..
Benedict's administration is investigated, 1t
Will forever silence the advocates of the con-
tract system. Under his management of the
affairs OF the government printing office the
piece system has been entirely abandoned
and the drones have been discharged or put
to work. Now every man employed in that
great workshop more than earns his full
days pay.
AN investigation would prove that the
government not only secures a superior
quality Of work, but saves thousands Of dol
lars annually by the adoption of its present
system, when compared with similar opera
tons under the contract system. The en-
directly felt by our merchants. A greater
part OF the printing and binding for the use
of the District government is now done out
side of the District. The amount spent for
printing and binding runs into the thous-
ands. and under the proposed system would
be paid to an increased force in the govern
ment print shop. and from there it would
find its way into circulation among our mer-
chants.
ut would also be to the interest, indirect
ly, of our private printing offices, and. there
fore, ought not to be antagonized by them.
small mod!cum of the printing now goes
to the private printing establishments. If
the money paid for printing was put in cir
culation among our merchants in the man.
FER proposed it would necessitate an in
crease in the printing for their business
needs. which printing would naturally be
divided among our private Offices"