New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-19
LINOTYPES ADOPTED.
Machines Ordered for the Big
Government Printing Office.
IsRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

WASHINGTON, June 1S-AIr Palmer, the Public
Printer, announced to-day that forty-six Mer
genthaler and twenty-eght Lanston typesettlng
machines would be added TO the equipment OF
the great government printing establishment
within a comparatively short time The work
of installation will be begun soon as the
necessary arrangements with the companies can
be completed and it is authoritatively said that
these notable labor saving machines. so long
debarred from the national Srinting establish
ment will be in full operation long before Con-
gress meets again. The price quoted on the
MergenthaIer machine is $500 each. and that
OF the LanstOn $3.50 each
This important innovation. which was pre-
dtcted in these dispatches OF January o. is en-
tirely within the discretion Of the Public Printer
he having informed the House Committee on
Appropriations that he was authorized TO install
such improved equipment as in his Judgment
seemed necessary properly to execute the work
of the establishment. AS the Public Printer. al
though appointed by the President. is response
BILE TO Congress alone. his Interpretation OF the
law governing his office evidently met with the
anproyaI OF his official superiors Mr.. Palmer
consequently went ahead with his negotiations
for the typesetting machines, and their intro
duction at an early date is warmly commended
here II is generally conceded that the installa
ton of the linotype machines will materially
facilitate the enormous work of the Government
Printing Office which increases at the rate OF
10 per cent a year. 1t is also believed that the
typesettiug machines will not only promote eff
Cheney and decrease cost in the great printing
plant but that they will unquestionably be
canable OF producing the high standard Of work
required by the government. and at the same
time be of no material injury 10 the personnel of
the establishment
The Public Printer and his subordtnates have
been investigating the subject OF typesettins
machines for a long time. and only within the
last wear Mr. Palmer became convinced that
thew had reached such a condition approach
ing perfection as to warrant their introduction
into the pri=ting Office OF the government. Last
winter he went before the Committee APP
rronrlations of the House made comprehen-
sfve statement on the subject and announced
his decision to try the machines. He said, how
ever that no additional appropriation &C
count of this decision would be necessary. as
the current appropriation would suffice. II is
along the line of the statement ne made before
the committee last winter that Mr. Palmer has
recently been proceeding, although his mind
was at that time fully made UP To give the ma
chimes a trial.
II is the purpose of the Public Printer TO In
troduce the machines gradually and If they
nrove 10 be the success which is expected
others will be installed. a majority of the
man IN the Office are not able to operate them
nitbo,,gb there are more than enough employed
there now 10 handle those which viii be set up
this summer. 1t is probable that hand com
positors will have an opportunity 70 learn TO
uses the machines when they are installed. and
In rhis they will be assisted by the higher otti-
ciaIs II must be remembered, however. that
there would be no disposition on the part OF the