Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-06
Chief Machinist in G. P. 0.
Appointed in 1863.
THE BIG PRINT SHOP
REMOVAL TO NEW BUILDING AC-
coMPLIsHED WITHOUT ACCIDENT
Universal Regret Over Death of Popu-
lar Cashier Civil Service
for Watchmen.

the machine shops of the government print
ing office is the record of James w. Hughes.
who is in charge of that important branch
of the big printery. When Mr.. Hughes was
appointed machinist In 1863 the shop was a
scant affair. The total machinery therein
consisted of two ancient lathes and an old
planer. Now there are six modern i'm
proved lathes. four up-to-date planners. five
grinding machines. three drilling machines
and other necessary equipments.
The government printing Office itself was
| not much of a concern in those days of
excitement and warfare In 1863 when Mr..
Hughes, youthful machinist from New
Jersey. after service in the army, received
| his appointment to doctor it's broken
presses and other machinery. Wonderful
strides have been made by the institution
since that time and now it is a modern es-
Enlistment in every respect and said to
be the finest and most complete i'm the
world.
came here said Chief Machinist Hughes
| to Star reporter. and had to resort
| to all sorts of expedents to have our smith
| ing done. Now we have wel-appointed
blacksmith shop in charge of Samuel Bax-
| ter. veteran blacksmith and a veteran
| Union soldier too. who spent a dreary term
| in Libby prison
Another of Mr.. Hughes trusted and ex-
| has been in the machine shop many years.
| and who is so familiar with his duties that
| 1t is saying he could perform them blind
folded.
machine shop force the removal from
| the old government printing office building
| 10 the new of all the massive machinery
| that was employed there. and that. too.
| without a single mishap or accident to any
machine. The pieces moved included sixty
three presses, all of which had TO be taken
| to pieces. except two Webb presses. which
| were moved into the new building intac.
on rollers.
| Without Outside Aid.
| In the bindery there were cutting ma
chnes. stitching machines. enclosing
press and other machinery galore. The
| removal was accomplished with the com
paratively small force of seventeen ma
chinists. helpers, blacksmiths, knife-grind-
| ers and others who comprise Mr.. Hughes
| working force
| In addition to the work of the printing
| office proper the machine shop is required
| to do that of the seven branch offices at
| the War Navy, State. Treasury. Interior
| and Agricultural Departments ana the LII
| bfary of Congress.
One of Mr.. Hughes achievements OF
| which he is justly proud is grinding ma
| chine of his own origination and construc-
| ton for grinding the knives on the Hoe
| card presses. 1t was necessary heretofore
| to do this work by hand and imperfectly,
| until the chief machinist brought his inven-
| tive faculty into play and evolved a ma
| chine which does the work automatically.
| The delicately edged blades can now be
made perfectly sharp without being re-
moved from the cores and at a great saw
| ing of labor. An average of 100 knives
| day are ground for the printing ONCE ano
| every department of the government III
| Washington where mechanical labor is en-
| ployed. -
| James w Hughes. the chief machinist,
was born in the busting manufacturing
| city of Newark. n. J. At the outbreak OF
| the civil war he entered the famous lst
| New Jersey Volunteer Infantry regiment,
and rendered faithful service under the
| flag. When asked what rank he held vet
| eran Hughes answers that he was
| private soldier and Is proud of II. He has
| been in charge of the machine shops at
| the government printing office about fifteen
| years of his forty-one years service there.
Death Of Major Clifford.
The news of the death of Major Edwin
A. Clifford who died Wednesday, was re-
| ceived with genuine regret at the govern
| ment printing office, where he had been
| an official for a number of years. His
| popularity with the employees was attested
| on all sides. and incidents of his generosity
| and good nature related by those who knew
| him best. One of these incidents was told
| by a veteran typo to group of companions
| in front of the printing office during the
| dinner half-hour Thursday.
The major was proceeding to his car
| riage in front of the main entrance one
rainy day. several months ago. when he
| was attracted by the crying of little
''Extry" Billy, diminutiye newSboy, from
whom he in the habit of purchasing
| papers. The boy was weeping bitterly.
What's the matter. Billy" asked Major
Clifford kindly.
"A big boy done swiped all me papers
| an / won't have no money to take home
| to me poor mudder,' replied the boy. IAN
| dis is her rent day. too
,s,,l
here is some money for your mother"
| handing the newsboy crisp dollar bill.
Gee! Is dis mine?' exclaimed Billy. the
storm clouds vanishing from his tear-stain-
| ed face. Gee. major, you Is good. You is
| better than George Washington
All the divisions in the big printing office
| remembered the kind-hearted cashier and
sent handsome floral tributes to his home
| on Thursday when the funeral was held
Favor Civil Service.
The printing Office watchmen are said to
favor the effort being made by Commander
Abraham Hart of the Department of .he
Potomac. G. A R., to have them placed
| within the folds of the civil service COM
mission. The watchmen are almost to a
man veterans of the civil war and members
OF the several local Grand Army posts.
Commander Hart says their positions
should be placed under the protection of
the civil service and has called the matter
to the attention of President Roosevelt
Sdpt f1ofner j. Locking OF the hfntcry.
who was vice president of the American
History Club last winter WILL Ii is said
soon take steps to reorganize that associa-
ton Capt Locking is commander OF tho
Fourth Immune Camp, United Spanish War
Taking Vacations
The list of leave-takers at the c. p. o. is
lengthenfng. THE following are reported
to be enjoying their summer vacations:
First division, w. NJ. Leavitt. Daniel j.
Hegarty. ]. L. Getman, A. w. Bentz f. NJ
Penn W. L. Pierce, Benjamin C. Wright,
N. III. Lytle. who recently lost his interest
ing little child: also G. G. Wilson, w. H.
Chase. Edward Coleman, Frank o. Jones
and r. H. Mayors. who are with the Dis
trict National Guard in camp at Harper's
Ferry. Second division, Oliver c. McCardeiI
and Foreman Shanks. Third division A j.
Campbell. w. II. Davis. G.. d. Ellis Clay
ULger, r. l.. S. Halpenny, j. w. Belcher,
r. L. Townsend and H. III. Brayton OH
cial Gazette. Miss Margaret A. Evans. III
mer +. Shott, j. c. Morgan and Miss Laura
b. Gordon. who has gone to St. Louis with
Miss Anna c. Wilson to attend the sessions
of the international union. &.
Messrs. Fred A. Collins, secretary to Pub
lie Printer Palmer, and Charles McEnarey
Of the bindery are billed to start today for