Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-03
BIG FIGURES AT G. P. O.
QUANTITY OF SUPPLIES USED
AND THE COST.

AS ordinarily understood, the statement
that the expenses of the government print
ing office approximate 100000 a year
would appear to indicate that Uncle Sam
is large publisher, but the multitude and
quantity Of supplies entering into the MAX
ing OF the largest printing business in the
world Is not generally comprehended. The
two items Of coal and gas will take the
best part. Of $4,000. The use saf gas is
being superseded by the installation Of
alternating current dynamos for heating
various mechanisms, while the increased
cost Of anthracite coal will make the pro-
duction Of heat, light and power an I'M
portant matter.
About 10000 pounds Of common book
Ink are required for the regular runs.
while special makes are used on tho
many fne Jobs turned out to order for
the various government Offices. Ultra.
marfne poster red and label red inks are
used in large quantities. while consider
abie enclosing varnish is purchased for
the battery OF modern machines in tbs
JOB press room Several thousand pounds
or JOB Ink are spread over tons Of paper
in the Job press room; some of the runs
amounting to millions of Impressions.
the use OF inks naturally brings IN the
printers towel, and nearly 100000 OF these
necessary adjuncts to cleanliness are used
yearly. The twelve tons Of soap supplied
each year and the laundering Of towels
costs the office nearly 500 Ice is small
Item, the drinking water Of the new struc-
ture being kept at a moderate temperature
Dy refrfgerating system in the basement
Sawdust would not apparently have a direct
bearing on the printing business. yet the
Office purchases nearly 5000 barrels yearly
which is used largely in keeping the spit
toons in sanitary condition.
Other Items Of Expense.
Fifty thousand pounds of glue. 200 barrels
of flour, 5000 worth Of thread, $4,000
pounds Of various twines, $4,000 worth Of
gold leaf, $4,000 for bindery machinery
tools and implements: these are some Of
the items and the approximate cost for
turning out printed paper for the edincation
OF the world. Cotton and book cloth to the
amount of fully $b0000-the product Of q
smau mills used in the bindery in a year,
and the supply of binders boards would
cost about as much for a similar period.
Among the smaller incidentals may be
mentioned 5000 gross Of rubber bands Of
various sizes, about 400 gross Of pencils ana
large Quantities OF pens and penholders
Employees whose duties require the use of
pen or pencil are furnished with material
by the head Of the division. under proper
regulations to prevent misuse. The engi-
neering and electrical departments and the
machine and carpenter shops are large
users OF raw materials, repair work and al
terations being made by the skilled arti-
sans connected with the printing service.
Employees connected with the supply di-
vision believe that the ordinary require
ments Of small village could be furnished
from the materials purchased for the Office
yearly.
Cited as an Example.
The materials required to issue the
famous Year Book Of the Department Of
Agriculture will give idea Of the i'm
mensity of the operations of the office Over
four tons of glue and thirty barrels of -four
made into paste are used to secure the
10000 yards of cloth to five carloads Of
binders boards for covers. The sewing
machines require one ton of thread of diff
ferent kinds and sizes and 5000 yards of
tape. About 5000 worth of gold leaf Is
applied as ornamentation In the stamping
room. though the design is very simple.
Other publications passing through the
mill use the same materials in proper
ton to the number issued, and at the end
of the fiscal year trainload after trainload
of material has been converted into ma
terialized brain energy for the enlighten-
ment of the world,