New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-25
PRINTING Reform PLANS.
Joint Resolutions to Curb ErtraUa-
gance and Fla Expense.

! Washington March 24-Two joint resolutions
designed TO correct some Of the most glazing
abuses and inequalities in the present system
| OF public printing and binding were introduced
/ to-day by Representative lands. Of Indiana,
! and were accompanied by a preliminary report
OF the Printing Investigation Commission eX-
| planning the need Of immediate reform.
! one resolution provides that public documents
and reports printed for Congress may be issued
in numerous editions instead Of in edition,
as is the case at present, and authorizes the
joint commission on printing to establish rules
and regulations from time to time for the
guidance Of the Public Printer in the issuance
of documents This resolution the report ex
plains, is necessary to cure the extravagant
printing of documents which never distrib-
uted The government has in storage more
than 9,53S tons OF documents. most of which
are said by the commission TO be obsolete. This
accumulation is said to be due to defects in the
law which make possible the issuance immedi-
ateIy Of all documents up TO the full limit
thorized, and the distribution Of all documents
to Senators and Representatives on a pro rata
basis, regardless Of the demands Of their con-
situencies.
The second resolution introduced by Mr.. Ian
dis provides complete change in the allotment
Of the expenditures for printing and binding,
with view TO making heads of departments
and chiefs Of bureaus responsible for the
amounts expended with their authorization. In
the last fiscal year the appropriation for print
ing and binding for Congress and the executive
departments was S6,OS1 .395. OF this sum,
S2.745.150 was allotted to the departments and
.645 10 Congress.
Under this statement Congress stands charged
with more money for printing than ex-
pended in all government departments and indie
pendent offices. The report says that this show
ing is absolutely erroneous, and conceaIs one Of
the chief causes Of department extravaganza in
printing. Under the present system all reports
TO Congress by the executive departments and
bureaus are printed as Congressional documents
and charged 10 the allotment Of printing and
binding for Congress. Lack Of restraint on the
department officials IS said by the report to be
responsible for much extravaganza.
To cure this Mr. Landis's resolution provides
that the Congressional allotment for printing
and binding shall only be charged with its pro
rata share Of the expense Of department pub
LEGATIONS based on the number Of copies actu-
ally furnished TO Congress for distribution. The
heads shall get estimate from the public
printer each year Of the probable cost Of the
documents they will require and that the
amount NEEDED shall be specifically set aside.
In addition TO the S6081,395 appropriated for
printing last year by the annual and deficiency
bills for printing and binding for Congress and
the departments the commission found that
Sl061S6O was specifically appropriated for print
ing in connection with other items. The COM
mission recommends that in far as is prac-
licable, all appropriations for printing hereafter
be made collectively.
The report suggests that the public printer be
placed in the same relation to Congress and the
departments that the commercial printer is TO
his customers. The report advocates putting q
large sum Of money at the disposal Of the puI-
money 10 the specific purposes for which it was
appropriated