New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-25
MADDEN CAUSES Il STIR
Interest Sho5cn by Congress IN
Carbon Paper.
rFnoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAu.I

washington June 24-The open letter of Third
Assistant Postmaster General Madden to the
Postmaster General which was printed in The
Tribune this morning contributed no little in
terest as well as amusement to the postal situa-
rion to-day. 1t also served to reveal some
what remarkable interest taken by Congress
in the duplicating paper used by the govern
ment
II appears that as far back as the first session
of the LyIIth Congress a provision was in
cluded in the Sundry Civil bill authorizing the
Public Printer to purchase the manifold books,
blanks forms ETC. made only by the General
Manufacturing Company of Franklin, Penn.
under patented process. II is further disclosed
that General Charles Miller, a brother-in-law
OF Representative Joseph c Sibley. of Pennsyl-
vania. is the president Of this company, and MI
Wilson. son-in-law of Mr. Sibley, is the mem
Der Of the company who represents it in Wash
ington. Il was said to-day by Mr.. Louis, super
intendent Of the division of postoffice supplies,
that the attention OF the department was first
called TO this process Of manfoldng by Rep
resentative Loud. former chairman Of the Com
mittee on Postofices and Postroads. Mr.. Louis
then brought the matter to the attention Of
Third Assistant Postmaster General Madden
and he directed that this style of duplicate paper
be used in the registry books of the department.
The somewhat ludicrous side of Mr.. Madden's
letter is in his apparent lack of familiarity with
the facts. and his evident resentment against
the First and Fourth Assistant Postmaster
Generals whom he holds responsible for furnish
ing the information already given to the press
The facts are that the information in possession
of the newspapers came from the Federation of
Labor. and more especially from John A Stock
man, Samuel A. Wakefield and Robert D. Bar
nett committee representing the Bookbinders
Union. Some time ago these filed a COM
plant against the further purchase of duplicat-
Ing paper from the General Manufacturing
Company on the ground that the company en-
ployed mont union binders. Later that cause of
dissatisfaction was reported TO have been cor
rected by 'unionizng'' the company's bndery
Now the subject of their complaint is that child
labor is employed there. When the union came
TO investigate the il found that Mr. Mad
den had stipulated that the kind Of duplicating
books manufactured only by this company be
used. a letter from Mr.. Madden to that effect
being file in the department
Later investigation has revealed the existence
Of the statute above referred to- which reads:
The Public Printer is authorized hereafter to
procure and supply. on the requsition of the
head of any executive department or other gov
eminent adjustment complete manifold
blanks. books and forms required in Duplicating
processes; also complete patented devices with
which to file money order statements or o+bar
uniform official papers and TO charge such s,,n
plies 10 the allotment for printing and binding
Of the department or government esta hlishnenf
requiring the same
This provision is contained in the Stndrv Civil
bin, approved July . 1902. and was drafted by
the subcommittee OF which Representative Can
non was chairman.
1t is maintained at the department that while