Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-16
NEW DOLLAR BILL.
IT'S CAREER THROUGH ALL Gov
ERyMESTAL PROCESSES.
DESIGNS FOR SILVER CERTIFICATES.
what They Are and WheSce They
Arc Evoly ed-Cnrefui Counting
md Rccounting of Money in nil It's
Stages.
Stages.

WASHINGTON. d. C.. August 15.-(spe-
cial)-rhe new dollar bill just issued by
the Treasury Department has been
handled and subjected to more checks
and counted oftener than many
who use IL as medium Of
commercial exchange ever pause TO con-
slider. II 10 a beautiful piece Of work
fashioned with a view TO desirability and
usefulness. It's value dntrinsically) is but
little above that Of an ordinary sheet Of
pure linen paper; but it has the govern
ments guarantee that for the purchase OF
any commodity known TO the markets OF
the country, It is the equivalent of 100
cents.
The process Of manufacturing the paper
dollar IS one OF intricacy, and covers
a multitude Of details The first con-
slderation is the procuring Of a proper
quality and grade Of paper. 1t must be
distinctive paper" and made according
to specifications prescribed by the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury and the super
vision must be the most careful to pre-
vent any misuse or duplication. One
of the sources Of weakness Of the early
! output of paper money was the facility
| with which Ii could DO counterfeited, and
experience has taught the custodlans Of
that kind OF circulating medium the ne
| cessity Of observing the greatest precau-
ton. Hence the distinctive paper"
The material must be pure linen. II IS
composed OF scraps and cuttings purchased
from the great linen mills at Belfast,
Ireland, and no foreign substance is adj
mitted A firm at Dalton, Mass. has the
| contract for its manufacture, and enters
| into a new contract, under heavy bond.
each year. for the faithful observance Of
| all specincations and requirements. and
| for prompt delivery at the Treasury De-
partment The contract stipulates that
/ the paper shall be manufactured under
/ the supervision of an agent Of the govern
| ment, known upon the records as United
/ States superintendent; that IL shall be
under the care OF guards appointed by
ths Treasury Department; that 1t shall
/ be delivered IN iron-bound boxes OF
! certain description and size, and under
seal, each box to contain given number
of sheets Of stipulated size. Each ship
ment OF paper IL accompanied by two
reports. one made by the manufacturer.
/ and the other by the United States Super
| intendent, which must tally in a state
ment Of date, size of paper, number Of
| sheets forwarded, and for what IL is 10 be
USED.
PIECES OF SILK.
! In the manufacture Of this distinctive
| paper" short pieces OF red silk are mixed
with the pulp in an engine constructed
| for the purpose, and the finished material
| Is conducted TO a wire cloth without
passing through any screens, which might
| retain the threads. BY a device placed
| above the wire cloth a shower OF short
| pieces OF fine blue silk thread is dropped
carefully upon the paper, while II Is
| being formed, and thus the pretty delicate
| lines so much admired and the subject
OF so much wonder are produced. The
side on which the blue silk is deposited IS
used for the back Of the note. Each sheet
is registered as soon as manufactured.
and Immediately passes into the hands or
the superintendent
When a shipment arrives at the Urea
sury Department it is taken in charge by
the Division OF Loans and Currency
where Il IS counted and examined, the
imperfect sheets being rejected and re-
turned 10 the manufacturer, to be re-
placed a his expense. All along there
has been observed a complete system OF
checks to avoid loss, and prevent fraud
and duplication. This prevails all through
the various Offices and processes Of print
Ing 20 the issue of the note.
But the dollar IS not yet in circulation.
II has yet 70 De printed and to receive the
rcd seal and official signature which give
il the power of purchase. II you nave
ever been shown through that wonderful
house Of industry, the Bureau OF En-
craving and Printing, you viii have
better idea Of the details Of the journey
Of that small piece OF paper.
THE PROCESS.
A design-is first prepared by an artist
of skill who submits it for the approval
OF the Secretary Of the Treasury. THIS
design. when approved, Is engraved on
steel. the original die being placed in the
keeping Of the custodian Of dies, rolls, ana
plates. The Bureau is then ready 10 make
plates for actual printing The steel IS
hardened then given 20 the transferrer,
who. By pressure on cylinder or SOFT
steel takes up the entire design OF the
note. This cylinder. which is called roll
IS then hardened IN turn, and from this
roll the transferrer rcproduces four times
on q plate okla inches IN dimensions. The
design Of the note and the four notes are
respectively designated By the letters ~
y. c, and n. The plate is then hardened
as were the Others, and Is now ready Tor
printing.
=
for the back Of the note is required. This
Is obtained in exactly the same way and
by the same process that the face plate
was supplied. and f. also given into the
charge OF the official custodian. Neither
can be withdrawn from his keeping OK
cent upOn an order from the Secretary
OF the Treasury. The design for tho face
plate IS made by any skilled engrayer
whose work has obtained the sanction or
the Secretary OF the Treasury; while ire
back plate IS desicned by Mr.. Thomas +.
Morris. OF the Bureau. When an order Is
given for printing the dollar note. the
back plate is drawn first q.
In the mean time the quantity OF dis
tlnctlve paper required IS obtained by
requisitlon upon the Secretary OF the
Treasury. and u IS prepared for use In the
wetting branch. 1t requires from eight
to ten days 10 get the paper in proper
condition. and on the designated day
every stage being mapped out in advance
the plate IS sent 10 press and the backs
are executed.
THE PRINTING.
The sheets arc printed IN lots OF 200, ana
as fast as ready are sent TO the drying
room and entered on the records OF the
Office ana upon the pass-book OF the
PRINTER They remain in the drying-room
over night, and are then taken up by the
expert examiners 10 determine the per
feet impressions. All that pass are placed
in the security vaults, IN packages OF LOO |
sheets each. until the time arrives for |
printing the faces" All imperfect sheets |
are cancelled and forwarded 10 the Trea- |
sury Department TO be destroyed.
After the backs dry. they are again |
.passed 10 the wetting division where they |
ha 10