Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-30
PLATE PRINTING PRESSES
Hand Work Claimed to Be Superior Il
That Done by Steam. -
The Central Labor Union Addresses
priatiOns Committee.

mon, WITCH was nSiQ MONDAY evening, was
largely devoted to the consideration Of the
subject of the proposed substitution OF
steam presses for these run by hand at TIL,
bureau of engraving and printing. Presi-
dent N. c. Sprague was in the chair ami
Mr.. j. NJ. Kreiter was secretary.
A communication was read from the Sec
rotary of the business committee Of the
Plate Printers Union, which stated that
the interests of the members of that organi-
zation employed in the bureau of engrav-
ing and printing would be seriously affected
by tine introduction of power plate printing
presses for the printing of government
securities, and the Central Labor Union
was requested to formally protest against
the Introduction of these machines and the
consequent displacement of a number of
plate printers now employed at the bureau.
Hand and Steam Presses.
1t was stated that 326 hand roller presses
are now required for the work done at the
bureau. and that 1t is the intention of the
director to substitute steam power presses
capable Of doing the work Of five men, thus
reducing the force in that proportion. It
was also stated that there would be a pro-
Dortio1ate reduction OF the number, of
female employees.
The delegate further stated that 1t was
probable that the plate printers would have
for considerable time during the period
that Mr.. Graves was at the head Of the
bureau, under previous administration;
the conditions have. however, he SAID
somewhat changed since thea, and that
when the previous attempt was made to
introduce machines in the bureau the own
ers OF the machines exacted n royalty Of
II per 1000 Impressions, but the committee
on banking and currency in Congress- after
an exhaustive hearing, reduced the sum to
be paid to 1 cent per 1000, which the own
ers refused to accept. Under the new ar
range7nent it is proposed to have the gov
1t is stated that four presses have already
been delivered at the bureau and are being
made ready for use.
A Question Of Good Work.
1t was further said that If it could be
demonstrated that the machines will turn
cut work equal in quality to that produced
by the hand process, the Plate Printers
Union will not object, but that the fact is
the work of the machine is inferior to that
OF the hand press, and 1t was regarded as
unwise and false economy to use the ma
CHIMES upon government securities He
also denied statement published in q
morning pepper made by Mr.. Claude john
son that steam presses were secured be-
cause the force is rot large enough to do
ed. thirty plate printers were furloughel
from the bureau because there was rot
enough employment for them, and that
since then 1t became necessary for those
in authority to reduce the amount of work
done previously Per diem.
A Protest to the Senate.
In compliance with the request of the
plate printers, the following protest was
adopted, ard the legislative committee was
directed to forward copy of the same
to the Senate committee on appropriations:
nj hot
of the bureau of engraving and printing are
ahOut to reintrOduce pOwer.'plate printing
presses, which will work great injury to
those employed in the craft, and that 1t
mas been shown in former contest that
they did not fulfill their requirements, and
In consequence, by an act of Congress,
their use was discontinued" 1t further
recftes that it is the contention of the plate
printers that, owing to the peculiar nature
or the art, no method other than the hanli
process can or does produce results of suf-
hcient excellence to guard against counter
letting and give that protection which is SC
essential to the government securities. 1t
was therefore resolved by the Central La
Dor Union to earnestly protest against their
introduction and pray Congress to enact
such law as will permanently secure the
printing of bonds, notes and other securi-
ties of the government in the highest STYLE
or the art of plate printing"
Other business Transncted,
Sheridan Webster. secretary of the COM
mittee on call of the united labor and re-
form convention to be held at st. Louis
Mo-, May next. requesting the C. l.. u to
send delegate to the convention. The re-
quest was laid on the table.
The firm of Bcbirger Bros, which has
been on the unfair list for some months,
was removed therefrom.
a special committee was appointed to call
on the Secretary of the Navy in reference
to the alleged action of the leader of the
Marine Band in excusing certain members
of that organization from service. In ex-
PLANTATION of this movement it was stated
that Secretary Long last week ordered the
Marine Band to proceed to Newport News
to take part in the ceremonies incident to
the launching of the Kentucky and the
kearsarge. and that Leader Santleman ex-
cused four members, SO that they could re-
main in the city to fill private engage
mectG-
"A protest from the Building Trades Coun-
Gil against the employment of non-union
men on the Center Market building was
adopted, and a committee of three was ap-
pointed to act with a similar committee
from the Building Trades Council 20 pro-
cure tie signatures of the stall owners,
after which it will be presented to the mar
ket company.