Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-06
PRETTILY DECORATED
PLEASING EFFECT OF BUREAU
CHARACTERIZATION.
Chief Meredith ofsthe Engraving and
Printing Establishment, Elk
tends Welcome.

Imagine the artistic effect of 10000 Amer.
lean flags. moving in Rhythmic harmony or
the presses which print Uncle Sans green.
backs and postage stamps. and you will ge,
an idea Of the interior appearance of the
bureau Of engraving and printing at 1t has
been decorated by Its employees for the re.
ception of the veterans of 81 to '65.
The men with &c. A. R." on their hats
are approaching their welcome to the b,,-
reau, and today an extra force of thirty-
five additional guides was barely sufficient
to conduct the parties Of sightseers who
thronged the building through the intricate
operations OF money making
Captain William M Meredith, director of
the bureau, was a member of the second
division Of the 18th Army Corps, and the
blue star as a pendant to the stars and
stripes forms the keystone supported by
two immense nags at the outer door. In
Captain Meredith's office the decorations
are conferred directly over his desk. where
hang on an immense chandelier the ma
tfona1 coIors In artistic profusion, making
q centerpiece which Is at once the attrac-
ton Of the room.
The Office Of Captain N. King, captain of
the watch, whose Office Is first seen by the
visitors. is tastefully decorated by an arch
Of flag drapery, over which Is placed a
splendid likeness of President Mckinley.
Eject very Pleasing.
The main press room upstairs, however,
is where the veteran will begin to realize
the effect Of the flag. In this immense
room the effect Is most inspiring. 1t is over
100 feet in length. and filled with presses
in full operation. requiring the services Of
over 500 workmen. each one Of whom has
furnished his quota of decoration. Each
press, with its big wheel, like the steering
nf Ia wit Aor
which 1utter as the money is made. Eight
rows Of presses, the full length of this
room, each decorated in a similar manner
makes the panorama most dazzling.
In the engraving division in the large
room below the main press room, the trans
fer presses, which are made of polished
steel and have the appearance of a modern
rapid-ffre gun. the flag has been made to
increase this appearance, and the long row
Of these presses pointed at the visitor as
he proceeds along the rallied portion of the
room Is somewhat warlike.
Still below this Is another room, where
the stamps are printed which presents a
most handsome appearance. The flags used
in this room are all small Ones and their
number is legion. Adding to the effect is
the inclosing Of the electric lights in red.
white and blue lanterns and the winding Of
the columns supporting the ceiling with
bunting. Pictures of Mckinley and Roose-
welt occupy conspicuous places in this room.
Takes Form Of Fans.
On the top floor, In press room No. 1, is
another evidence OF patriotism and artistic
endeavor. Huge fans of red. white and
blue festoon the walls. while flags float
from the presses. columns are wound with
bunting and pictures OF Presidents and
army generals are set throughout the room
In frames of shields. the centerpiece of the
whole being a huge q. A. r. badge sus-
pended from the ceiling. The drinking
fountain in this as we'll as In the main
press room has been labeled "Our Can
teen" ! taJ,
The decorations In the room devoted to
the cumming of postage stamps consist
principally of pictures yof Presidents and
war heroes. In the room where bills are
| numbered, and where hundreds of young
ladies attend machines which as they
stamp these numbers on the money, have E
| rising and falling motion, the appearance
| is like a billowy sea of flags
Then there Is press room No. 6, and thu
| dampening room, the stamp book room
| where the young woman workers have dec
| Grated themselves with the badge of thei
| chiefs division, P. C. Balm of the LIST Divi
| sion of the I'd Army Corps. Entrances tt
| every room aad through the long corridor:
| have been festooned and draped until the
| whole interior presents rivalry Of decora
| ton most artistic and pleasing.