The San Francisco call., 1897-03-15

appears on the general and legislative order
books, which would involve labor of an in
definite time. II this were done very close
estimate would be had Of the exact status OF
the department of State printing at the pres
ent time, and, even after the work was com.
pleted, there would still be large margin 10
dispute over, owing to the honest difference OF
opinion as to the labor entering such work,
which CT is clearly demonstrated every day
by the great discrepancies of diferent I printing
establishments when rendering bids for work
ufacturers.
1t being impossible for us to go into the sub
ject thoroughly and do it properly, We de.
cided it best 10 deal with the work intrusied
10 US in general manner and see II by our
recommend ndations we could improve the metn.
ods in vogue in some parts Of the establish.
ment, and thereby save unnecessary expendi-
ture existing under the present conditions.
We therefore submit for your consideration
this incomplete report, embodying the result
OF our investigation and recommendatlons as
TO changes considered by US necessary. The
com mposing-rooms were found 10 be clean. we'll
lighted and well kept. On the occasion OF our
visit March 8. we found all tine workmen 70
be in their places before O'Clock, and at the
blowing OF the Whistle all hands started work.
ing in the various branches.
great saving has been made the present
session by changing the flies and b histories
from the bulky, awkward size. formerly in
use, to the present convenient form.
Alter detailing number of impor ant
Improvements that have been made under
the administration of State Printer John.
ston, the report concludes as follows:
The pressroom at the time of our several Wis
its was found to be n good order The presses
were clear OF superhuous oil. The paint on
the frames appeared TO have been recently ap-
piled and the unpainted parts OF the ma
chlnery were bright and clean. The bindery
was found to be well arranged. clean and well
kept. The change from the third 10 second
floor has made gain of 1926 square feet.
All bindery work done con aimed the best
materials Strength and neatness were ap-
parent in the mechanical portion. especially
OF the textbooks, and the work will compare
favorably with books of similar character exc.
cuted in any part of the United States. In the
eiectrotype department. is located a complete
and wellkept plant for all electrotype and
stereotype work required in the Stale Printing
Office.
There is considerable waste in the engineers
department, not, however, through any fault
OF the engineer In charge. but the waste is ow.
Ing to the change from all steam power to part
the machinery, heating the building and the
heating OF some presses where heat is
CURED. The State is now paying for electric
power that should be utilized to operate every
thing inside and outside the building that re-
gu res power, including the elevator.
We think the price paid for electric poweris
excessive, and " ould suggest that when the
present contract expires q motor be purchased
and the lowest rate Tor power be procured.
The general orter-book at the printin. office
Is we'll Kept, showing in detail the items OF ex-
the State departments. The other books nec-
essary in an Institution of this character are
all that be desired. In addition system OF
time is kept upon every employe OF the COM
posing and press rooms.
On examin alton of the order-book we noticed
many items of Autographed and embossed
from outs ide firms. This work Is expensive,
and as 1t is impractica BILE for the State to put
in a lithographing and embossing plant we
recommend that, so far as possible, the heads
Of COnfiuH
for fancy stationery to work that can be per.
formed at the State Printing Office.
Several typewritten pages are devoted to
giving the prices paid for various supplies
used in the State Printing Office. Com
mentlng on these the report says:
All the foregoing rates we consider reason
able, and the quotations for paper and card
prices in the open market.
The more important of the recommen-
dations contained IN the report are as fol.
lows:
Grade the salaries of females employed in
tine bindsIy as as to a6iity; use time tags iof
in composition and press rooms; electrotype
all matter needed for future publica ton; in
troduce ,ype-casting machine; put in mod
ern elevator; obtain all power required by
elevator and plant from electric motor; use
smaller boiler to obtain steam for heating; at
tach meter to electric motor and getlower rate
tor electricity; induce heads OF State depart
ments to use stationery that can be executed
in State printing office. instead of expensive
HthogrBphing and stamping; induce the Sem
ate and Assembly to employ sufficient clerical
force at the Secretary's desk to transmit copy
to the printing office without loss OF time dis
contipue authors correction on proof. !.
In conclusion. the experts say:
If the foregoing Recommendations are
adopted and properly enforced. we estimate
that saving OF from $4,000 to $40, 900 per
year will accrue to the State.