The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-17

I
vestment. therefore, represents at least
s6,OOOOOO.
The expenditure for plant was sSSs 25S.S1
Cor the fiscal year 1907. while for the frs.
half of the fiscal year 1905 it amounted
to s4sS.37Ss4 The expenditure for presses
amounted TO $2l. 106.O5 in 1907. and sl52 697.7 20
in the first six months OF the fiscal year
1908. while the purchases Of composing
machinery amounted TO S245,S02.S and
$1s2.772o5, respectively. for the two pc
RODS
Inspection OF the various classes Of
printing and binding machinery developed
little cause for criticism, except in con-
nection with the machines employed for
composition. There are now In the Office
20z machines of this character.
Nearly a million dollars 1856. 529) has
been spent by the Government Printing
Office in a little more than three and
half years for the installation OF such
machines. It would appear that suffi
cient time has not been taken for tests
and for properly accustoming the force
TO the most efficient use of this ma
chinery.
1t is generally agreed that there is no
economy unless the product equals or ex-
composition According 10 information
received. the product OF the machines in
the Government Printing Office does not
exceed that OF two men. The criticism
that has been so freely applied TO the
operation OF these machines should be
directed against such an enormous in
vestment in so short time.
The Office is now so fully supplied with
mechanical appliances that no more ma
chinery should be purchased until there
is genuine requirement occasioned by
the wearing out OF old machines or by
inveations representing great economy Of
production.
Attitude of Employees.
The newspaper statements of dissatis-
faction and irritation seem to have been
much exaggerated. Conferences with
persons representing workers in the
rious sections and rooms have resulted
in an impression that. with the possible
exception Of the electrotypers and stereo-
typers. the general condition of the en-
plOyes or the Office was creditable 20 the
Public Printer The more thoughtful OF
those consulted seem to fully appreciate
the burdens and difficulties he had 10 en-
counter during the period OF reorganiza-
ton.
A large majority Of the employees would
be pleased 10 see a change in the ad
ministTation. while many Of the older and
more conservative men would Ike 20 see
the Public Printer indicated Most OF
the minor employees never came in con
tact with him, and have no knowledge
OF him except from hearsay. but their
impression is decidedly unfavorable-
No one whom / have consulted. who Is
acquainted with the Public Printer, viii
admit the probability OF any intentional
wrongdoing on his part.
The consensus Of opinion OF the en-
ployes appears 20 be that the defects Of
organization and the mistakes Of judg
ment IN matters of policy counterhalance
the Improvements and reforms Instituted
by the Public Printer Many Of the older
employees and Official customers OF the Of
fee are anxious for a return 10 direct
and simple conditions.
My brief stay at the Government Print
ing Office has confirmed the impression,
1 long since formed that the employees pos
sess an average Of intelligence and con-
scientious performance of duty as they
understand il. much above that Of en-
ployes IN private industrial establish
ments OF similar size.
StIIlIngs' ADMINISTRATION
The employees agree in the statement
that few men are better acquainted than
Mr.. StiniSgs with the printing business
in its various branches. Having a strong
constitution and unbounded energy. he
appears 10 have spared neither strength
nor time In his devotion TO the work OF
the Office as ne saw Il
He introduced rigid discipline where lit
tie had existed. and endeavored 10 weed
out incompetent persons and to secure a
larger per capita product
He established a hospital in the build
ing and introduced a system OF rigid sani
tary supervision. both Of which require
ments have been or real and are likely 10
be of lasting benefit TO all the employees
Of the Office.
Government Printing Problem.
A very large and expensive printing es-
Enlistment must be maintained for the
exceptional legislative requirement Of the
government. The volume OF printing for
Congress is materially exceeded. how
ever. by that for the executive depart
ments
Congress is compelling these depart
ments TO expend annually much more
money for their printing than would be
necessary il they were permitted the al
tentative of sending orders TO the Public
Printer or opening certain classes Of
printing 10 commercial competition.
The result OF granting such an alter
native doubtless would be a decided
shrinkage Of printing Office business.
Since il is difficult 10 contract a large Of
fee without working great hsrdships
upon hundreds of employees. the business
aspect OF the question is not likely TO
prevail II is possible. however for Con-
gress TO effect one much-needed reform
by placing printing allotment under the
direct control of each department and in
dependent bureau.
Since no plant appropriation is made.
expenditure for that purpose must come
out OF the annual appropriations made
presumably for printing and binding. 1t
would be wise for Congress 10 make sep
arate appropriations or TO specify the
amount that may be expended for ma
chinery and plant requirement.
The maintenance Of the large new build
ing necessarily increased the cost OF the
office. The new building seems to have
been planned unwisely in some particu-
lars.
The most glaring faults should be rem
edied.
The Office Of the superintendent OF doc
uments is the custodian OF hundreds OF
tons of old reports and documents. most
of which are on hand now because they
were not in demand when published. Con-
gTess has legislated to prevent further ac-
emulation Of documents. but the dispo-
sition of stock on hand should be consid-
cred. The most practicable plan seems 10
be 20 dispose Of the entire collection ex-
cept a limited number of copies of each
document possessing any literary, scien-