The Washington times., 1907-01-03
WANTS TO RAE
OLD PRINTERY,,
NOW A MENACE

That the old Government Printing Of
fee building. which is still used as an
annex for the bindery and storehouse.
is unsafe and ought 10 be condemned is
made clear in the annual report OF Public
Printer Charles a. Stilllngs. just issued,
In his report, which gives the opera
tons of the Printing Ofhce under his ad-
ministration for the seven months OF the
fiscal year ending June 80. 1896. Public
Printer SJillings pertinenuy says:
THE condition of the old Government
Printing Once building. situate tmme-
diately adjacent to the new building,
is a matter OF some concern, not only
because of its nOn-nreprO0f construction,
bat from the fact that It's strength VIII
not permit OF the storage OF the I'M
mense number or Government documents
now on hand with that degree Of safety
or efficiency which Is required for ma
Jerial OF that nature.
Menace 10 Safety.
while the use OF this building may be
continued for a limited period for the
purposes Of storage alone. IL is never
theless a menace 10 the safety OF the
new building and 70 the surrounding
property. In case OF IRE. especially with
a strong north wind. it would be most
difficult 70 save the new building from
serious injury. with always the pOssl-
bllity Of its being Quilted by nre de-
strOying the contents, II not very mate
rally injuring the new building itself
1T is only question OF time when
the increase IN the demand Tor Govefn-
ment documents Will require an auul-
tional new building 70 replace the pres
ent old building. 10 enable the dlsJrlDu-
ton and sale OF public documents TO be
handled in proper manner.
The old building should be RACED 10
the ground and the material sold 10 the
highest bidder a new building should
be erected, thoroughly modern and nre-
proof in its construction. should this
be accomplished, there could very read
fly be established an improved method
OF delivering the product OF the Office
by preparing II wholly at this Office for
tons, instead Of delivering at depart
ments and bureaus with the necessity
FOR further handling and consequent ad-
ditioaal expense
Employees Protected.
Just as few employees as can do the
work are housed in the old building,
and as fast as the work OF reorganiz-
ing the bindery can be completed the
employees ia the old building win be
brought over into the new building. The
transfer OF the mechanical forces now
IN the old building will soon leave the
old building for the storage or docu-
llFnts anu Quiet mater A4l4
Speaking Of the employees, Public
Printer Stillings SAYS he found them. in
the main. 10 be efficient but, owing 10
lax discipline and the absence Of intel
ligent and cooperative systematiZing,
the product per capita was not what II
should have been.
Hits Incompetent.
This statement. says the Public Print
er. does not apply 70 the employees as a
whole, but rather 70 that undesirable
portion OF the force which was being
carried by the competent employees.
He recommends 10 Congress that pro-
vision should be made whereby the pur-
chases OF equipment. material and sup
plies by the Public Printer may be SUI
pervised and restricted within reason
able financial limit by methods as care
fully safeguarded as those now exist
ing in relation 10 the purchase Of pa
pers. etc.
Mr.. Stillings says such action is neees- /
sary not only as a protection 10 the
Government. but in justice 10 the Print
ing Office and the Public Printer.