Evening star., 1909-03-07

gress, snatching an hours sleep now and
then on couch in his Office and sub
SiSting on "SnackS sent IN from a
neighboring restaurant
But the captain "shivered" once, ac-
cording to a confidential confession.
During the rush and confusion of the
closing days Of Congress which has
passed into history the public printer
escorted a group of Quaker friends
through the Office at a late hour in the
evening. He was elOquently commenting
on the fact that everybody was busy
working with incredible speed and accu-
racy. An inquisitive old Quaker caught
sight Of a machinist specially detailed
to care for the enrolled bill presses in
case of a breakdown. and who, like
Capt Brian, was expected to catch his
rest between adjustments of machinery.
This man was tilted back in a chair and
sleeping as soundly as a baby regardless
Of the noise and confusion.
will thee tell me If that man is
working with incredible speed" in
quired the visitor. pointing to the idle
worker.
Capt Brian acknowledges that he
"shivered" What would the public
printer say?
THAT man." snorted the executive
head OF the office. why. he IS the most
valuable man in the office. If anything
went wrong with the machinery not a
wheel could turn until he had found and
adjusted the difficulty. We would not
dare rush as we are doing If he were
not asleep. for then we know that every
thing is all right" (Here Capt. Brian
resumed his nonchalant attitude. and 1t
rs said on excellent authority that never
since has he lost his nerve" for an in
stant)
!;
" public printer, was born in Clark
very young his parents removed to Kan
sas, and it was in his fathers office.
while still boy. that Mr. Dow secured
his early training in the art preservative
of arts. At one time he was associated
with his father in publishing newspaper.
In 1895 he assumed charge of the me-
chanical department of Missouri news
paper and in November 1897. after sue
cessfully passing the competitive exam
ination of the civil service commission,
he secured a position In the government
printin Office as compositor.
His thorough knowledge Of all the de-
tails of the art Of printing and his execu-
tive ability were soon recognized and he
was promoted successfully to the posi-
tions of maker-up. chief of day Record
force assistant foreman of the fifth dl-
vision and assistant foreman of the Con-
gressional Record force. which last named
position he resigned August 26. 1908, in
order to assume the editorial and business
management of another Missouri news
paper.
In June, 1908, when Mr.. Leech assumed
the duties of public printer. he appointed
Mr. Dow to the position he now holds.
The secretary to the public printer has
direct charge OF all matters relating to
the personnel Of the Office, including ap-
pointments, transfers. promotions. reduc-
tions and separations. He also attends
to the general correspondence of the Of
flee and is responsible for the keeping of
the records or files
He is the general ONCE secretary and
saves the time of the public printer from
being taken up unnecessarily by details
leaving him free to give to more impor-
tant matters the time and consideration
they require.
nEE Of the most important positions in
~ the government printing service is
that of Congressional Record clerk, whose
Office is at the CAPITOL. This Office is pre-
sided over by w. A. (Andy) Smith. who il