Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-28

will increase the expenditures from s1,570,
59S.46 during the years to follow, we may
say enormously; and it is the duty or the
officers of the Treasury Department having
control of this work as matter of econ
omy to endeavor, by the use of improved
machinery to save as much of this great
expenditure as possible
An Electric Plant Advised.
Another means of reducing the cost of
the work by the use of machinery is the
establishment of an electric plant. OPP
Grated by the steam plant already estab-
lished in the bureau. The present limited
use of electricity for the direct operation
of presses and for light, together with the
amount of gas used for heating printing
plates and for lighting. causes an annual ex-
penditure of from S12,Ooo to Slo,oo, Whlch
can be reduced at least 80 per cent by the
establishment of an electric plant IN this
bureau to produce all the power and light
needed. For the purpose of showing the
increase of work being done by the bureau.
it may not be out of place to make refer
ence to the current fiscal year, four months
of which have passed. The deliveries dur
ing these four months have exceeded an
average of 100000 sheets per month, or
equivalent to an annual delivery of 100000,
600 sheets. which indicates an increase in
the number of sheets to be produced over
the year 1896. when the deliveries amount
ed to SO 600 900 sheets, or 40 per cent The
average number of employees on the rolls
of this bureau during the year 1896 was
151p. The number of regular employees on
the rolls November 1, 1898, was 1857 or
an increase of y per cent.
Additions to the Building Needed.
There has been no addition to the build
ing since 1896 1t is obvious, therefore.
that the repeated recommendation for en-
appropriation to build store rooms. an ink
mill q laundry and stables Is more essen
tial at this time than ever before. In fact,
it is imperative. The condition of this
building crowded as 1t is with operatives,
Is not in accordance with good business
methods or proper sanitation. 1t is with
great concern that l call attention to the
immense amounts of combuStible matter
stored therein. which make the POSSIBLE
tiles of fire so great as to be alarming, i'll
the hope that Congress may be moved to
furnish the necessary relief by author Iii g
the cons ruction of proper storage build
ing separate from the ma n bu lding. This
material includes millinets. oils, turpentine.
benzine, colcrs, chemicals, blanketing,
paper &c. In the of oils and rags in
printing and waste about machinery, fire
by spontaneous combustion is quite pcs
sible in this building. We are, therefore.
dependent upon the vigilance of our en-
ployes and watchmen to prevent damage to
the building and the securities 1t contains
in this way. When suitable outbui dings
are provided, much of the space now oc-
cupied as storage rooms will be available
for the expansion of some of the branches
that are overcrowded, and much of the
infiammable material In the main blu lding
will be removed from 1t to more suitable
quarters. l cannot urge too strongly unitet.
effort on the part OF the Treasury Depart
ment to help secure appropriation from
Congress for the building SO often request
ed in past reports.