Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-25
REDUCTIONS IN 6. P. 0. FORCE
INTRODUCTION OF MACHINES
THE POTENT FACTOR.
Desire to Reduce Expenses Another
Cause-Advantage Of the
Machine Men.

The most potent factor in the recent
reduction in the working force at the
government printing office. it is explained,
is the introduction and perfection of ma
chine composition methods. A secondary
consideration is the economic attitude Of
the thousands of large and small govern
ment officials in their endeavor to cut
expenses. IT is the unanimous opinion
of master printers that the business world
begins to curtail expenses by reducing
the printing bill. Again, the printing
craftsmen know that when copy" runs
short they will be laid off
The Introduction of typesetting ma
chimes in the government printing office
was brought about only after the iron
printers had demonstrated their efficiency
in the commercial world. The immediate
result was that new appointments were
few and far between. 1t was believed
that the reduction of the regular force
from natural causes would balance the
increased production of machine COM
position, and for time this was the
case.
Given Chance to Learn.
Lists were frequently sent around among
the printers holding permanent situations,
asking for volunteers to operate the ma
chance to learn practically new trade,
but some, either through physical inabil-
ity love for the traditions of the
craft. refused the offer. Prompted bv a
desire tor new blood" the civil service
commission has been called on s.veral
times within recent years for experienced
operators.
with large force of competent machine
operators and an exceptionally large
force of hand compositors. This works
an involuntary hardship on the hand
compositors, for the reason that they
are limited in their capabilities. The
operator, on the other hand. can go to
the case and perform the work of a
hand printer when work is slack i'm the
machine division
In the days of handwork it was neces-
SarE 10 appoint several hundred extra
printers to handle the rush incident to
session of Congress. Before the naugu-
ration of civil service a reduction of the
force in the spring meant that any en-
pioye was liable to receive his walking
papers Later, however a call was usu-
ally sent in for temporary workers, and
at the end of the session these people
were dropped from the rolls
Within recent years about 2Ol expert
machine operators have been added to the
force at the big printery, and no general
reduction has taken place except in the
bindery 1t is practically the unanimous
opinion among officials at the office that
employees of the composing division
should be capable of ''hOlding down
case" during slack time. The result has
been that indefinite furlcughs have been
principally among the hand compositors.
Increase in Output.
The output of machine comps sition has
become greater from year to year. Care
full selection OF operators has resulted in
corps of swift. careful workers The
directive forces of the big workshop have
learned also many lessons in the proper
utilization of machine product. In the
jobroom the exit of the famous audit
system has largely reduced the amount
of work.
But there will be an increase in tine
amount of work sent to the public printer
within the next few years. 1t is believed.
unless history refuses to repeat. When
President Roosevelt first assumed the
reins of government there was a hue and
cry about extravaganza in public print
ing, and many minor officials culled their
manuscripts with zeal.
4 word from the heads OF the different
departments last spring regarding econ
omy sent these same mi2or officials sour
rying for the blue pencil. Several thou
sand individuals consulted dictionaries to
find one word which would displace two,
and as result a large number OF printers
are idle.
sympathy for the skilled workers thus
displaced is universally accorded in Wa.h-
ington. but the responsibility for this re-
suit is cumulative from many sources.
Authors and editors cannot be expected
to add few pages to each publication
for the sake of the printers. particularly
with the injunction of economy ringing
In their ears. Neither can the big print
cry run full force when copy Is scarce.