The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1898-09-10
MAKINGPAPERMONEY
HOW NOTES ARE TURNED OUT
FOR UNCLE SAM.
The B.nds and Stsmps-Paper Used
in the Issue Is Manufactured Under
Government Supervision and Carefully
Watched-The Process. v

- SOAAJ SAS SO1lPAANNNSN
than might be imagined from a casual
glance at their gracefully lined surface.
The lengthy process is most unique and
interesting, and a visit to the bureau of
engraving and printing in Washington,
where 1t may be seen, is a very enter
tanning one. The large red brick build
ing Is situated on an eminence between
the green lawns at the base of the tall,
chaste shaft of the Washington monu-
ment and the fragrant gardens that
surround the agricultural department.
The first floor, besides the offices of
the superintendent, ETC., is devoted to
the department of engraving, the Sec
ond to that of examining and the third
to the preparing and printing. There
is a great deal of work accomplished
here, as this bureau issues the govern
ment bonds, legal tenders, silver GER
t%ificates, bank notes, and internal reva
enue and postage stamps. All the
work that can be accomplished so is
done by manual labor, thus giving m
ployment to several hundred people.
The largest face value of any issue is
a registered bond of $50, 900, and the
smallest a one-cent stamp. All of the
e~ngravers are specialists in their par
ticular department, n the delicate
figures and intricate designs of their
work are often marvels of artistic skill.
Portraits of living persons are never
put on the notes, and all figures, vign-
cites, borders, ETC., are engraved sep
arately before they are put on the
plates. The e%ngravers sit, each one be-
low a window, with a screen of ground
glass around them, and another of
white linen above their heads. Their
work is SO fine and delicate that the
greatest precision and care is required,
and the room in which they work is
not open to visitors. First the en-
graver works out his design of face, or
figure, and after transferring it by hand
to a plate of soft steel the plate is
hardened and a soft steel roller takes
the impression from it. After this roll
is chilled another impression is taken
upon another steel plate, and after this
latter has been hardened it is ready
for use. The geometric lathe which
makes the border is so complete and
wonderful a piece of mechanism as to
seem almost alive. The graceful lines
for the borders, backs and other con-
ventional designs seen on the notes
are made by this machine, if, indeed,
it may be called one. After a calcu-
lation the machinery is set in motion
by steam power and steel points begin
their work, and the result of this math-
ematical calculation shows on the small
section of steel an intricate border or
the undulating, circular lines, with
their strange effect of light and shade.
This lathe work is one of the surest
guards against counterfeiting, for each
bit OF work represents an obtuse prob
lem. In the engraving room are two
large vaults, in which are kept all the
plates, rolls and other implements. the
position of head of the department be-
ing a very important and trustworthy
one, as it is n of the few offices
where great confidence Is placed in the
honesty of one a The paper for all
the issues is manufactured in Dalton,
Mass. under the supervision of govern
ment officials, and that Used for The
bank notes, silver certificates, etc. is
sent out in sheets large enough to con-
tain four notes. In appearance il is
like any other very heavy linen paper,
except that it has two perpendicular
lines of short, uneven silk threads run-
ming through it. On being received it
is taken with the blue and white pa
pers for the internal revenue and post
age stamps (both water marked) to the
"Wett1ng department" as it is called,
where 1t is counted and recounted. and
a receipt given for it. Then 1t is nut
between wet cloths and pressed, being
shifted about every six hours, to insure
each sheet a gradual amount OF mois-
ture. lhls process lasts about three
days, then, after another counting. it,
is delivered to the printer, who must
give a receipt for the sheets given him.
At the end of the day he returns an
other check, stating the quantity re-
celved, the number of notes he has
printed and the blank or spoiled sheets
to be returned. The printing room is a
scene OF great activity, with its many
presses and workers. Here the paper
is again moistened by applying it to a
wet board, then it is laid on a steel
plate that has been carefully prepared
with ink, which also is made on the
premises. There are two workers at
each press, usually a man and a wom-
an. The man fills the plate with ink
from a roller, then wipes it off, and
finally, after busting his hands with
chalk, he gives it a last polishing.
Then, after wetting the paper, the wom-
an lays it on the plate, the press is APP
piled, and behold, the clear, clean back
of the notes, which must be carefully
examined before they leave the prin-
ter's hands. This process is repeated
each time. The press is a self-regis-
tering one, and the employees are al
lowed to spoil a certain percentage of
their work, but if they exceed it, their
labor is deducted. Then the notes are
sent downstairs, and for twelve hours
are subject to great heat in an air
tight room. In the room adjoining
they are again examined, assorted, and
sent back to receive their face value"
from the plates prepared, showing the
denomination and the fac-similes Of
the signatures of the proper officers.
Then comes the wet count" as 1t is
called, and after being dried, the notes
are put in a solution of sizing, which
gives a greater durability to the paper.