The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-24

The Great Work which DevoIves Upon
Mr. Benedirt.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23-The magni-
tudc OF the work devolving upon the
Public Printer. Thomas +. Benedict. Is
not generally appreciated. Ills annual
report for the year ended June SOth Is
short, but 1t is onlightening. one brief
sentence shows not only the great
amount OF work done, but how II Is IN
crcasing.
MIR. Benedict was Public Printer in
1857. In that year he found much DIM
Guilty IN meeting the demands or the ser
vice II was a long-sossion congressional
year. but he managed TO use up 2hh
tons of papor and finished 1921 2s2 bound
volumes and 2s6.49l pamphlets. During
the year ended June 80 1885, the once
used 4d7 tons Of paper and nnished y
| 7813 bound volumes and l,le2,soo painph-
lets. The output would have been more,
but for the neglect of paper contractors
and interruption Of work caused by bulld-
ing repairs.
The report calls attention TO one sub
ioct which has been laid before Con-
gress so many times-the unsafe condi-
ton of some Of the quarters occupied
that constantly imperil the lives of
faithful employees. Mr.. Benedict suggests
that land near the present site be bought
and buildings erected having capacity
sufficient not only 20 permit the demoi-
ton OF the dangerous III. street wing,
but 10 provide for the greatly increased
work OF the office. Not only IS there
the natural increase Of the work, but
the law passed January Y, 1898, threw
many more duties upon the office.
Mr.. Benedict takes pride In the fact
that. through the Introduction OF mod
orn methods and new machinery. he has
not only been able 10 meet the olien
hurried demands upon the office, but ne
has secured a higher standard OF work
manship. Many Of the publications, he
SAYS. are now admirable In composition.
press work. proof reading. illustrating,
and binding. and are scarcely 70 be
! excelled by the product Of the best pr
vate houses Of the country. lie asks
that a change be made In the awarding
of contracts for paper Contractors have
endeavored TO supply inferior qualities.
He thinks lowest bids" should not be
accented unless the bidders are known
10 Ice reliable and that they should
| submit samples OF what they can lui-
| nlsh. instead Of the Government showing
samples Of what it requires. The pres
ent plan has done much to lower the
standard OF public printing. The life or
most Of the books produced by the Office
! during recent years viii Mr.. Benedlct
savs. be OF short duration, owing 10
! The perishable character OF the paper
| used.
/ Mr. Benedict rescnts the lmputatlon
| that the office has fallen under the "bane-
full influence of the spokesman. lie says
the employees have reason 10 nope that
the order OF the President putting them
I'm the classified service-an order winch
the majority OF them asked for-will
protect the force from an oVercro"olhs
of tho office lie does not see, however
how this can remove the cause Tor large
reductions I'm force after each short con-
gressional session TO show the tenure
Of office IN his force. he shows that OF
the 2. 736 employees on August j, 10 had
been employed twenty-five years or over
! g02. twenty years or over, bli, ten years OF
| over. and T. go five years or over.
one of the new duties of the Public
| Printer under the act of January Y, 1872.
was the appointment of a Superintendent
| of Documents 10 receive all surplus
nublic documents from The various de-
nartments. TO assert and catalogue them
| and supervise their distribution and sale.
+. 4. Crandall, of Buffalo. was given
this work. and his report on the DIM
| entities he encountered and his suggestions
make a very interesting addition TO MI
Bencndict's report-New YORK Times.