Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-12
BLUE BOOK Is IN TYPE
LIST OF GOVERNMENT EN-
PLoYEs OCCUPIES 4,3oo PAGES.

The official register of the United States,
known as the BLUE Book" which is Is
sued every two years by the Interior De-
partment, IS in type and awaiting the In
dex TO the second volume and the return of
the departmental proofsheets TO the sovern-
ment printing office The volumes, in size,
will exceed previous issues by about 4oo
pages, the greatest increase being In the
Post Office Department, the railway mail
and rural free delivery services having ex-
banded. The blue Book is said to be
one of the most expensive publications by
the government outside of the Year Book
of the Department of Agriculture, approx
mately 1890 quarto pages Of tabular mat
ter, containing 1890 ems each, being re-
quired this year. At the rate charged by
the Office this amounts 10 nearly SO per
page. 1t IS understood that the big print
cry has saved thousands Of dollars on the
publication by having the composition done
on the LanStOn typesetting machines. The
Mergenthalers We're not tried out on this
work, being busy the Record and otner
congressional work.
The government printing office has a uni
form price per thousand ems for compost
ton. being sufficient to balance the print
ing account on the varied matter seat In
by the various departments and bureaus.
Some of the intricate tabular matter
turned out at the Office is said TO cost sew
the Of many foreign and extraneous
characters many of which are manuiac-
tured by the experts employed in the foun-
dry.
The appointment of Mr.. Charles S. Brown
of Grand Rapids Mich, TO be chief in
spector of the government printing office
creates a position the necessity for which
was pointed out IN The Star several months
ago. The public printer has q great
amount or detail TO look after. ard,
through Mr.. Brown lie will be enabled
to keep in touch with the workings of the
biggest printing Office in the world and
have better understanding OF she changes
necessary TO maintain the Office on q bust
ness basis. Mr.. Brown comes to mis- city
with n reputation for thoroughness and at
tention to detail.
The big printery has discontinued the
practice of selling TO employees the boxes
in which paper is received. The Baltimore
Box Company now takes the entire supply
OF boxes and wood, the price being some
what above the amount realized under the
former practice. Considerable inconvcni-
ence was caused In the office o. the super
intendent of the paper warehouse in Keep
ing list or orders. the tiIe being months
behind the supply.
Floors Able to Stand Alone.
The utilization for storage of the portions
of the old building vacated by the printing
deps rtments upon the erection of the new
structure is said not to have reduced the
load carried, the immense quantities OF
books and other material being as heavy as
the type and printing supplies. The old
printing office has been declared unsafe
several times, but the local authorities, 1t
is stated. have not the power to compel its
destruction. 1t is said on good authority
that although the building has been re-
peatedly condemned there need be no fear
on the part of those employed there the
pillars and supports being In good state
of preservation Building experts have de-
clared that II the walls did fall the workers
would not be injured, the floors being able
to stand alone.
The chess team from the big printery has
broken into the win column. the standing
at present being two games lost and one
won. The members OF the team, however
are not discouraged. for the majority of the
team have not had experience in tourna-
ment work, the playing of ''skittle" games
at the office during lunch hour being their
nearest approach to club play. Their OPP
ponents have been the three leading teams
In the departmental tourney. and 1t is ex-
pected that they will make a better show
Ing when the weaker teams are met. Much
interest Is displayed In the success OF The
printing Office teara by those having an I'M