The Washington times., 1905-07-20
MONOPOLY ALLEGED
IN c. P. OFFICE
Purchasing Methods Of Gov
ernment Critized.
ANOTHER INQUIRY LIKELY
Surprise Expressed That There Is Not
More Chance Given Others TO
Compete.
ANOTHER INQUIRY LIKELY

II is now reported that steps will be
taken to secure an inquiry into some
features of the supply purchasing
methods of the Government Printing Of
fee. involving general dealings in print
ing machinery
There have been rumors and intima-
tions that such an investigation would
prove interesting. While it is not known
that the Keep commission has any pres
ent plans for taking up the matter. it
continues To be talked about as one OF
the things certain to demand consldera-
tion before long. either at The hands of
the Keep o.' the Congressional commit
lee
1t is alleged that one small supply con-
Germ in New York enjoys most Ot the
printing office trade in machinery. run
ming uD into immense figures each year.
and that this condition has prevailed for
a number of years.
Created Much Surprise
Surprise was long ago expressed that
this company should enjoy almost a
monopoly of large lines of business for
the printing office The theory is ad-
Vanced that an investigation of the
olume of business this concern has
transacted with the big office would in
dtcate that prices have been paid to
the favored concern which would not
have been necessary in purchasing ac-
cCrding to recognized business methods
as is done In private establishments. 1t
l. further declared that the quality of
the goods bought has not been such as
u warrant these high prices.
1t is reported too, that one dealer in
printing office supplies was told by d
rc representative OF the company that III
he wanted TO get his materials into the
Government office. he would have 10 do
through that company
The special considerable which q
New York electric company enjoys in
the matter OF marketing its own line of
electric supplies in the Government of
hce Is also the subject of new comment
OF late. One tntinatiOu is that some OF
the other electric supply concerns are
watching the inVeSJi legations of the Lans-
ton deal with the hope that it may open
Il way 10 what they would consider fair
treatment IN the purchasing of Govern
ment Office supplies They are hoping
it is said. that the Lanston inquiry will
bring about a general change of business
methods that will break up the monop-
oily that favored concerns are said 10
enjoy.
Real Competition Needed.
The protest against these purchasing
methods is based on the allegation that
the Government pays more than 1t ought
to, aad that this could be remedsed If the
controlling Influences in the office were
willing 70 allow real competition.
Ine Keep commission has been taking
some supplemental testimony about the
practical workings OF the Lanston and
MergenthaIer machines. Foreman {, NJ
hobInSon, Of the proof reading division,
was examined = : 10 the relative expense
and practicabillJy OF correcting matter
with the two machines. He was one OF
the strong LanSton supporters, ana had
written letter which was incorporated
in Special Report No .. on this subject
Mr. Robinson : argument was that
LanSton type ia easier and cheaper 10
correct than Linotype product because
The 1@anston matter is cast letter by
letter and can be corrected q letter at q
Time. while Mergenthaler type is cast in
Slugs and an entire slug. al the least,
must be reset for each correction
That there will be new Public
Printer and a reorganization of the ex-
ecuuVe forces in the big Office is more
than probable. What significance NAV
attach 10 the supplemental inquiry by
The Keep Commission is unknown buI
II Is given special weight IN view of the
FACT that il was held in private and
not al the Printing Office.
Sent Lanston Stock Up.
IN local financial circles the inquiry
does not appear TO have affected Lanstou
stocks. On the other hand since the
taking OF testimony was concluded the
stock >has hrned up considera bly and
tlrfsrr seems 70 be a strong belief that
ne verdict IL Po1ng 10 be favorable t.
the LansJon people. Aside from finan-
seems 10 be entertained generally.