Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-09
MAY ADOPT LlNOTYPEs.
Their Use IN the Government Printing
Office Seems Probable.


Washington. Jan. SIT is Mt con
Ni'''fra Improbable that linotype
hlarhli.tS VIII De Introduced in til.
Government Printing Office in The not
HlSiaHt futu are. This would complete
the perfection of mechanical euuip-
ment for that huge printing plant. fo,,
Ill all its other branches labor slvin.
machinery has been installed. Th~
subject will be thoroughly investigated
, next month by Il Subcommittee of TN.
HOUSE Committee on Appropriations il;
connection VITA the consideration OF
the Sunday civil Appropriation bill
Nehibc1a q this sub committee have.
hetil Git Ing the subject serious con-
%lGci1 tiJn. with Il view to detcrminin.s
whether the Introduction OF the limo
tNi'" machine would facilitate the
enormous work of the GoVernmen,
PRINTING oiiice. which increases at the
ft'c at 10 per cent Il year. The act ION
81 Tue committee Will. of course, bt.
haSrd on the Investigations already
made and the arguments to be sub
mltted At the hearing
The Washington Typoeraphical
Union is outsnoken against any pro
position locking to the installation oc
machines in the Government Printing
Office. bat III lis opposition it stands
aloH" among the Typographical unions
"I the country. Its antagonism took
practical form when. at Il meeting
HELD on December -, Il secret COM
nlittec OF twenty-five was appointed
20 right the proposition in Congress-
Ihc p!:tn of campaign. it is understood
mas been m1pped cut and will consist
~ 4 personal appeal 10 Representa-
tivcN in Congress by the members 81
TINS committee. pointing out to them
me political risks they would run
Snorl1 tEey favor. the propositions
ihe% Will urge that to vote for the
Mroducti0n Of So great q Labor saving
device rs the linotype machine in thu,
Government Printing Office would b"
POLITICAL suicide. for it would
"ntagori:e the labor clement and
result in the Subsequent defeat for
denomination Or reelection Of Til.
rIrm5rr:, 50 voting.
Little capital can, he manufactured
out of 4 campaign Of intimidation. for
the fallacy' OF the argument is so APP
parent that it will hardly have the
effect desired. Representatives are at
all times thoroughly in touch with the
"oMditIous existing in their districts;
ana are aware t:fHt linotype mucllinrS
cot only are used i'll the offices Of every
daily newspaper published in the
nit"d states With one exception. but
th"' III" various typographical unions.
having net The machine question az
Tnm"thil@ Inevitable, have made |
nIrhillr scales ana entered into con-
tiart' with publishers using linotypes !
This has resulted in the unoniZing Of |
r"Ws,hr"r printing offices in various |
TattS Of the country, ana members of |
'oE"le.S feel that under these cond- |
: IONS Il vet" for the Installation of ma !
chimes that would promote efficiency !
ana decrease cost in the great printing !
plant could not ALLEVIATE the labor
".Nlnt unless that element should re-
iufiHtr it.i own records.
Tie local Typographical union will also
in;a2"!liZc til" proposition on the ground /
,Ht t'ln linotype machines are not capa-
III Of Predicting the high standard Of |
work II, iiirrd in the Government Print |
~ Office. The absurdty of this conton- !
ION * apparent whom comparison is !
mad" between the style of work now |
turned ont in that establishment and that !
me hy 4 number Of printers in the !
nit,.i States whose reputation for pro |
'ii.ci:% I'll" highest class Of work is world !
widc. and whose printing is largely done
IN tn" linotype machine They are in use
IN various offices throughout the country
where Only the best and most artistic |
work possible to he done in H. printing eS |
t"1lisnm2nt is turned out. fine linotype
ma chimes have been installed and are do ,
f.lt.tt IN r1eS NOR
Printing Office at Ottawa iCanada. the ,
ihSuia' printing office at Manila. the Aus ,
t!liian government printing offices and
hr state printing Offices of a ma jority OF !
tile States of the Union.
IN addition to this. and indicative Of the /.
Isolated stand taken by the Washington
T.rograrhicaal Union. II is pointed out
ti!lt the official organ Of the International |
Typographical Union is machine produc !
ton. rs are many other publications OF
liz Dor organizations. The linotype has
come into general use. its economy is ac-
liltOWlp dged and. according to those Ia
miiiar with the needs of the Government
Printing Office. its Introduction would
largely promote the efficiency Of the piant,
decrease the cast of the work, and At the
sam" time be OF no material injury to
the personnel of the establishment.
II is assumed that should the introduce
ton Of the machines tie determined nnon
the process Of installation would De sidd~
nal. which, taken with the ~ per cent.
annual increase III ne grown VI ttt
work. would not result in terra re
Guctio0 in the force now employed. 1t is
also We'll understood that in the event
of their installation in the Government
Printing Office there would he a vast
amount of work which which could not
he done with the machines. and 20 this
WORT; the force could be shifted. that
comraratively little hardship would fol
lew This etfectualiy diSposes Of :; large
part OF tic opposition of the local typo
graphical union. for its members fear,
ami 70 state that the Introduction of the
machines wculu make wholesale dispos-
ais necessary.
1t Il also probable that hand comrositors