Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-11-15
WALLS OF
CAPITOL
SHAKEN
Steady Roll of Machinery in
stare Printing Office I'M
dermining Foundation +

but surely getting in its work on the
walls and foundations of the State
House. But II is true.
One of the most important ques-
tions that will confront the legisla-
ture at the coming session will be the
disposition of the state printing Of
fee. For a number of years the
tplant has been located in the base
ment floor of the capitol. and while
the machinery and presses are not
very heavy, and the work of destruc-
tion their continual running has
wrought on the walls of the building,
has not been very rapid or marked,
IL 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
bratlons of the building caused by
the running machinery in the print
ing office, can be felt.
It will be up to the legislature
while IL is considering the affairs of
the printing office, to take the entire
business out of the State House be-
fore any more damage is done to
Oregon's splendid Capitol building.
Just at present the difference of
opinion between Willis s. Duniway,
the State Printer-elect, and Frank
Baker, a former State Printer, and
the owner of the plant in the State
printing Office, is causing some talk.
For years Mr.. Baker has been leas-
ing his outfit to the State Printer.
and is said to have waxed fat and
hourished on the proceeds. II was
given out that Mr.. Baker and Mr..
Duniway had reached an amicable
agreement on the sale of the plant,
and Mr.. Duniway had purchased It
outright.
Yesterday 1t developed that no
agreement had been reached, and
that Duniway had given out the state
ment that he has purchased two new
Meihle presses, and will be prepared
to put in plant Independent of Mr..
Baker.
II is said that the two men prae-
tically agreed on the price of the
plant, but other details in the trade
caused the disagreement. The valu-
alton placed on the Office was $500.
Senator Kay went to Hon. ]. r..
Whitney, the present State Printer,
and asked his advice on the subject
Mr.. Whitney said that IL would be
good business for the State TO pur-
chase Mr.. Bakers plant, provided
the price was right. Mr.. Whitney
believes that $500 is a reasonable
price. and, that while the material
cost a great deal more than that
some OF II Is not in good shape. Mr..
Whitney advised Senator Kay that
II the State should purchase Mr..
Bakers plant at that price, and then
expend a similar amount in new
presses and some other material. II
would be a valuable and up-to-date
outfit.
The trend of public opinion
throughout the State Is that this leg
islature will be compelled by the
force of public opinion TO buy and
a printing plant. and also
put the State Printer on a fiat sal
ary' II is known that Mr.. Duniway
Is opposed to both propositions. and
during his campaign he never for a
moment pledged himself to bring
about either OF these reforms.
The story has gone out that Mr.
Baker and Jack Matthews will at
tempt TO organize the legislature for
the purpose OF compelling the State
TO buy the Baker plant at a fancy
price.
On the other hand there is another
story to the effect that those men,
oers OF the legislature known as the
stand-patters" have agreed TO fight
any proposition 10 put the ofHce ON
a nat salary, for a short while al
least In order to allow Mr.. Duniway
TO reimburse himself at State ex-
pense for the large amount of money
ne Is said to have spent during the |
campaign to insure his nomination
and election.
The 'stand-pat" wing OF the mar
ty, which is said to believe In paving
political debts out Of the public crib
regards Mr. Duniway as a very pa
triotic young man. who has alwavs