Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-08
THE IsrRlcT PRINTING
MI. Blake Proposes the Establishment of a
District Printing Office :
The Objections to the Contract Sys-
Combining Bids to District Firms.

Columbia Typographical Union. No. 1O1,
is making an effort to have the printing for
the District government done in Washing
ton For several years the contract has been
awarded to firms in other cities. Members
Of the union think that local typos should
have the benefit of this work, by having the
bidding confined to Washing ton firms. Many.
however, go still further and believe the
District should have it's own printing office.
One of these Is Mr.. E. NJ. Blake. Speaking
to Star reporter, Mr.. Blake said:
'The question of the District printing was
brought by me to the attention of the union
in the introduction Of resolution to appoint
committee to urge the passage of bill
giving the public printer supervision and
control of all printing and binding for the
by contract.
THE union, looking to the interest Of the
DOWNTOWN printers, such as were debar-
red from appointment through the civil
service, thought it best to instruct its off,
GERS to wait on the District Commissioners
and request that the printing be awarded
to the District publishers. Being invited by
the president of the union. 1 was present at
hearing before the Commissioners The
Commissioners claimed that they were con-
trolled in awarding contracts for printing
by the so-callsd organic law of the District.
which requires bids Of the amount of 81 600
ii
adelphia and New York. and requires the
acceptance of the lowest responsible bid
They stated that this act had been con-
strued by the attorneys to cover printing.
Inc law, they admitted, often resulted in
serious delay and annoyance, and they
said they would approve a bill providing
that the printing be confined to the District
publishers. Because of the fact that our
union has great many idle men, the COM
mlttee decided to act as suggested, and
urge that the printing contract be arded
to District firms. In my opinion, however
such course would bring but temporary
reiie1. II work becomes better in the Dis
trlct, idle printers elsewhere will gravitate
mere and Columbia Union will always have
them to aid and care for.
Opposed to Contract Work.
Il would much rather" said Mr.. Blake
that the union should take the stand II
has heretofore taken in opposition to the
contract system for government work
The union has shown that it results in q
saving of s1.OOo.Oc year to the govern.
ment to have its printing and binding done
by day labor. With such an object lesson
before the eyes of Congress, l cannot un.
derstard how that body can approve the
contract system as applied to District print
ing In my opinion 1t would best serve the
resident printers If a law could be passed
establishing District printing office, under
the supervision and control of the District
commissioners. This would bring the EN-
the work would be furnished to residents
OF the District only, SO there would be nc
inducemeEt offered to UNEMPLOYED printers
els ewhero to flock to Washington. Tho
public printer could furnish material ard
plant, thus saving hundreds OF dollars in
the establishment of the Office, and as sup
plies rs needed could readily be furnis he'd
by the public printer at large contract
rates, better prices could be paid for labor
and yet large sums saved to the govern
ment. The Commissioners could have their
office close at hand, with their own fore
man or printing ard binding, and q better
quality of work could be furnished them
without the annoyance of delay and the
general inconvenience attached to the
awarding of bids under the contract system
Printing School Books.
"All work for the District would be print
ed at the District office, including the
books used by the public schools If this
were done, an annual appropriation amount
ing probably to 100000 would be required
Such an appropriation expended in this
Kramer would result in a great saving
1t Is moderate estimate that the same
work dore by contract would cost 1925 GOO
The Senate committee on printing will
doubtless have their attention called tc
this question. While examining it l trust
they will consider the advisatility of the
establishment of District printing office
under the supervision and control of the
Commissioners, or of a branch office TO,
District work, under the supervision and
control Of the public printer"