East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-11-17


The Salem Capital Journal dis
cusses state printing problem in new
phases and unexpected developments
as follows:
Very few people are aware that the
state printing office in the basement
of the state capital is slowly but sure
ly getting in its work on the walls
and foundations of the state house.
But it Is true.
One of the most important questions
that will confront the legislature at
the coming session will be the disposi-
tion of the state printing office. For
a number of years the plant has been
located in the basement floor Of the
capitol and while the machinery and
presses are not very heavy, and the
work of destruction their continual
running has wrought on the walls of
the building. has not been very rapid
or marked. it has been a continual
grind and strain.
Everybody in the state house, from
the head janitor all the way down to
the governor of the state, is aware
that at all hours of the day the vi
brations Of the building caused by the
running of machinery in the printing
office, can be felt.
1t will be up to the legislature while
It is considering the affairs of the
printing office, to take the entire bus
mess out of the state house before
any more damage is done to Oregon's
splendid capitol building.
Duniway and Whitney Disagree.
Just at present the difference of
opinion between Willis 5. Duniway
the state printer-elect, and Frank
Baker. a former state printer. and the
owner of the plant in the state print
| ing office, is causing some talk. Fol
years Mr.. Baker has been leasing his
outfit to the. state printer, and is said
| to have waxed fat and flourished or
the proceeds. It was given out tina
| Mr.. Baker and Mr.. Duniway haC
reached an amicable agreement oil
the sale Of the plant, and Mr.. Duni
way had purchased it outright.
Yesterday it developed that NJ
agreement had been reached, an'
that Duniway had given out the state
ment that he has purchased two nev
Meihle presses, and will be prepare
to put in n plant Independent of MI
Baker.
It is said that the two men practi
cally agreed on the price of the plant
but other details in the trade cause
the disagreement. The valuation
placed on the office was $500.
Senator Kay went to Hon. j. F
Whitney. the present state printer
and asked his advice on the subjec
Mr.. Whitney said that it would b
good business for the state to pur
chase Mr.. Bakers plant, provided tn
price was right. Mr.. Whitney believe
that $500 is a reasonable price anC
that while the material cost gre5
deal more than that, some Of 1t Is M
in good shape. Mr.. Whitney advise
Senator Kay that If the state shoul
, purchase Mr.. Bakers plant at thf
price, and then expend a simila
amount in new presses and some otht
material. it would be a valuable an
up-to-date outfit.
state Plant and Flat Salary.
The trend of public opinic
throughout the state is that this LEI
islature will be compelled by the fore
Of public opinion to buy and establis
a printing plant, and also put II
I 10 Ia
known that Mr.. Duniway is oppose
to both propositions, and during h
campaign he never for a momel
pledged to bring about either of the'
reforms.
The story has gone out that NJ
Baker and Jack Matthews will a
tempt to organize the legislature fC
the purpose Of compelling the stat
to buy the Baker plant at a fame
price.
on the other hand there is anotht
story to the effect that those member
. Of the legislature known as tn
stand -patters," have agreed to figf
any proposition to put the office on
flat salary, for short while at leas
lin order TO allow Mr.. Duniway to re
, imburse himself at state expense fc
the large amount Of money he Is sal
to have spent during the campaign
insure his nomination and election.
The "stand-pat' wing Of the pa
which is said to believe in payir q n
litical debts out Of the public crib +
CARDS Mr.. Duniway as a ve.rv natrio
Young man, who has a cnys "due u
, when the party was. In need Of fun
J and there has ZEN kind Of tacit u
derstanding nat ne should be allow
to have he office on its present pl
for two years at least.
= the profits Of the office are said
t,e about $50. 900 a year, or the sal
fas the president Of the United sta
- gets and It is believed that II
Duniway is allowed two years OF tf
he will be satisfied, and then the
flee can be placed on fiat salary
time to clear the records Of the pa
before another general election.
These are interesting questions II
the legislature will be called on to
eide. and they will enter somewhat
the fight for president Of the Sent