The Washington times., 1907-02-10

Officials in charge Of the work at the
Bureau OF Engraving and Printing are
ciated over what they consider the Ger
tainty that Congress will pass this ses-
sion n bill! directing the Secretary Of
the Treasury to prepare plans. esti-
mates, and specifications for a new
building for the bureau.
At the hearing given last Friday by
the House Committee on Public Build
ings and Grounds TO Director Sullivan,
OF the bureau, and officers Of the plate
printers union, members Of the com
mfttee were readily convinced that there
should be q new building Their con-
Viction was founded on these facts
brought out at the hearing:
That the present building is poorly
lighted, poorly ventilated, and unsani-
tary.
That wSrk is impeded and made moro
difficult by the crowded conditions
throughout the building.
That the crowdInE is so great I'm some
rooms that the employees are in dan
ger of being injured by the handles Of
the presses.
That the employees, in some rooms. are
so close together in their work that they
inhale each others breath.
That altogether, the place where this
Governments stamps and money are
made is in a condition which would not
be tolerated In n private enterprise.
Worse in Summer.
Assistant Director Joseph +. Ralph,
of the Bureau OF Engraving and Print
irg. is much encouraged By the showing
maze before the House Committee on
Public Buildings, and expressed the -
lief that Congress would make the ne
-cessaTy appropriations for the new
building. which he stated was Jun
doubtedly needed. Director Sullivan is
now also hopeful of the passage Of the
bill at this session. Il believe after
the Government becomes acquainted
with conditions IS they really exist"
le said. that they will remedy mat
tiers. Conditions US you see them now.
however, co not compare with tho sum-
mcr months, when the humidity Of the
atmosphere adds to general depression"
Secretary Shaw's reference TO the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing as
the worst sweatshop on earth" and
the description Of the appalling existing
conditions as pictured by Director Sui
Ivan and President Leissler, OF the
Plate Printers Union, before the House
committee Friday, are fully borne out
by Il visit 10 that plant
\ Times representative was shown
through tie building yesterday. With
the exception Of the two-story building
last erected. I'm which the postage and
revenue stamps arc manufactured. the
facilities are grossly inadequate. There
Is practically no ventilation and but
little light.
Conditions Unbelievable.
IN the main pressroom. spoken Of by
Mr.. Leissler and Director Sullivan. in
the petition for new building. the con-
dltions are about unbelievable. Every
rch Of space IS utilized, for over zoo
employees work IN this room. the plate
machines being so close together that
should an employee wish to leave his
stand for m nent. all his neighbors
must stop their machines momentarilv
IN order 10 allow him room 10 sducezc
Sy. There arc about $50 OF these ma
chimes. each having two operatives who
AFRO So close together that. In the
-alSCage OF Mr.. Le!ssler, they breathe
one llOther's breath"
ADDED "a all this &c the smell of inks
acids, ard hundreds OF gas stoves each
machine being fitted with a cas- h,lrner
The guides say that invariably a visl-
I2rs hrst remark is: What is that
awful odor2''
While the building Is irree7,iar G.,
shape having two j. shaped Additions
some idea OK the congestcd Conditions
may DC gained by the statement that
therc are pa Of these machines wifi, 20
yer LtAye6 IN the center section. only IS