Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-01

all-important work for the government
Today all this is changed. Even the post
age stamps used annually by the thou
sands of millions in the United States are
made in Washington. and at the present
time the bureau of engraving and printing
is the most active beehive of industry in
the whole country. The regular demands
of the public business upon its facilities
even in the days of placid peace are enor-
nous, but the emergencies of war have in
creased them to prodigious degree. A
reporter for The Star spent an interesting
hour at the bureau yesterday morning in
company with Mr.. Claude NJ johnson. the
capable and energetic director of the great
institution.
Director JOhnsOn's Work.
1t was not only an interesting but an in
structive hour, Director johnson did not
pause a moment when his attention was re-
quired by the demands of his Office. Super
intendents of the various branches came
and went; messengers laid letters and doc
uments before him to be signed, and signed
| they were at once. The conversation with
the reporter was carried on in the inter-
walls, and when Mr.. johnson was otherwise
engaged as described a good opportunity
was given to study the man who has
proven completely by the record he has
made since he assumed his present posi-
ton that The government can do its own
work better and cheaper and more Sat It's
any OF IN
existence. He accomplished this in the
face of the most powerful influences. Bank
rote companies and stamp manu- featuring
corporations have welded potent power
heretofore, and IL is easily remembered
what tremendous effort was made to pre-
vent the bureau from securing the contract
To print the postage stamps of the coun-
try. Director johnson was victorious how
ever. and the 5000, 900. 600 ma rvelous is
that number-and more postage stamps
produced by the bureau every year abund-
antly proved that his confidence was not
misplaced. When the war revenue bill was
passed and the demand for adhesive inter-
nal revenue stamps was imminent, every
corporation in the country doing such
work ciamored for contracts and backed
up its demands with great influence.
Even the officials of the Treasury Depart
ment were inclined to think that the bureau
of engraving and printing would not be
adequate in facilities for the purpose but
Director Johnson declared that such was
not the case, and the results prove that he
was right.
Activity at the Bureau.
The conversation this morning, fragment
airy as it necessarily was. began by the re-
porter inquiring as to the number Of en-
ployes engaged and the hours Of work.
I'VE have LIB employees today" replied
Director johnson, land we work every
minute of the twenty-four hours. 1 cannot
TOO highly commend the zeal and willing
ness of the force in this emergency. All
are capable and all are experienced To
show you what we can accomplish, / need
only state that from am. yesterday to
s am. today we printed from new plates
y 10000 internal revenue stamps. No
other establishment on the face Of the
earth could have cone this. In addition we
imprinted millions of postage stamps
the letters I.R.' Our cumming capacity
does not equal our printing at present;
doesn't exceed 100000 stamps per day,
but this difference will not exist in a day
or two.
Nearly Two Hundred Millions.
I'VE will deliver up to tonight" he con-
tinued Ito the commissioner of internal
revenue lTOOo0,G0o stamps available for
issue under the new act, although the law
was not passed until June b. Our own
people have done this work. Green hands
are not productive. The employees have to
be instructed here.
How about the other work Oh the pu-
reau?'
1.-The demands unusual. We are
printing something over 3,ooOOO0,Ooo post
age stamps a year. In addition, the ma
tional currency orders are unusually large.
For the last forty days they have averaged
80 600, when the customary average is but
5000.
THE plates from which the internal reve-
nue. stamps are printed" continued Direct
Johnson, ARE made as rapidly as pos
Stble, and when one is competed II Is sent
to a hand press. When four have been fin
ished they are placed i'm steam press
Every plate has been producing stamps
every minute since its completion.
Number of Stamps Needed.
'In addition to these stamps he contin-
ued, I'VE have imprinted the letters L r.
on 5000 200 postage stamps. 1 am inclin-
ed to the belief that we will be required to
print as many adhesive internal revenue
stamps as we do postage stamps, or 3,O00,-
600, 600. These stamps are Of various de-
nominations, from an eighth of q cent to
fifty dollars. Mr.. Sullivan"-the assistant
director who had just come into the d.
rector's room-''does not agree with me In
this, but when we come to consider the
railroad tickets, Pullman car tickets tele-
grams, bottles of wine. bank checks, prom
issory notes, drafts. deeds. mortgages and
proprietary medicines that will require
these stamps am pretty certain my hg-
rres will be found nearly right"
MY impression is" said Director john
son In conclusion, that the use of imprint-
ed stamps will be unnecessary after today"
Looking Out for Their Comfort.
During the reporters visit he had an ad-
mirable opportunity to witness the regard
which Director johnson has for the COM
fcrt Of his employees. He directed mes