The Washington times., 1902-06-16
MANY 4YPBSBT4BRS
BECOMING UNEASY
Fear Too Great an E.ncroach-
ment of Machinery.
Opposing Modern Equipments in the
Forthcoming Office of Public Printer
as Against Their Welfare.

More than a year viii elapse before
the date set for the completion of the
new Government Printing Office Build
ing will have come. but that date is
regarded as most important one by the
members OF the art preservative
throughout the land. and as it ap-
proaches. interest born of solicitude.
fills every individual connected with
that fraternity.
The equipment of that establishment
is what is giving concern. 1t has been
predicted time and time again by per-
sons who pretend to know whereof they
speak, since soil was broken for the
erection of the mammoth office, the
greatest of its kind in all the world. that
every approved modern implement for
turning out printed matter-the limo
type. automatic press and ruling ma
chine feeders. folders and counters. and
the many other inventions that have in
recent years been gradually displacing
hand labor-would be introduced there,
and that hundreds of old. tried and
true employees would be turned adrift
to gain livelihood elsewhere.
with the possibility If not probabil-
ity that these prophecies viii prove true.
there was particular care taken. it is
said. at the recent election OF the local
union. in the selection of representa-
tives to the coming annual convention of
the International Typographical Union,
which meets in Cincinnati in August.
1t is asserted that these delegates were
chosen with special attention to their
ability to argue fcrcibly against the
encroachment of labor saving machin-
cry in the Government service and that
they will make this burning question
before the convention II it lies in them
to do so.
The delegates to the international
convention are as a rule picked from
the cream of the printing trade in the va
rious localities in which they are
chosen. and are nearly always men of
long experience in the calling and excep-
tional intelligence. and ability. They are
men OF good standing as well, and usual
ly more or less prominent and weighty
in politics and business affairs. 1t is
therefore hoped and believed that with a !
united effort on the part OF the inter |
national body the representatives, of all 7.
political factions in Congress can be /!
arrayed against the invasion dreaded |.
and the alleged purpose to substitute
machinery for hand labor in the great |
printing shop thwarted.
I,,.
by many thoughtful. observing members
Of the craft, that the International /
Union as a body can be brought into /
line to fight this much-fe feared cncroach- |
ment The convention will be composed |
Of more than POO delegates. Intelli- |
gent and able. they are fearless and in /
dependent. All, il Is admitted. may be- |
lieve that what is good for a private
concern ought not be bad for a public .
one. and It is to be expected that many
will refuse to 20 into a movement de-
signed to promote and protect the in
terests of the Government employe
while they are pCwerless 10 bring about
similar supposed benefits for the thou
sands of their brethren of the craft who
are not under the wing of the General
II is also said that the national bodies
Of pressmen and press feeders viii join
he printers in the struggle In opposi-
ton to machinery OF the kind mentioned
being put into the new Office Of the Pub
lie Printer. and that the next year
promises many lively developments to
the members OF all wings of the print
ing trade.