Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-10
HAND PRESS MAY GO.
Fear Expressed by the Gov
eminent Plate Printers.
RENEWAL OF THE CONTEST
Statement Imputed to Secretary Mac.
veagh Gives Concentrated on
Controllers Decision.

The plate printers Of the bureau of en-
craving and printing express alarm be-
cause of the announcement that Secre-
tary Macveagh of the Treasury, as a re-
suit Of recent decision of Controller
Tracewell, may install power presses in
the bureau for the printing Of Philippine
currency. 1t is supposed this will be the
opening step to the installation of power
presses for the printing of all currency.
For years the plate printers have success
fully fought all efforts to have power
presses put into the bureau for the print
less continue the fight in the coming Con-
gress
Controllers Decision.
The agitation is acute among the plate
printers now as a result of the decision
rendered by Controller Tracewel, and
printed in The Star. declaring that the
law of 1893, providing that all bonds.
notes and checks should be printed on
hand presses, does not apply to the cur
rency printed by the bureau for the Philip
pine government.
This decision is generally regarded as
the beginning of the steps toward the
installation of power presses. Secretary
attitude since the decision was rendered
is not known. 1t is pretty generally be-
lieved. however. that Mr. MacVeagh, AS
sistant Secretary Andrew and Director
Ralph will favor installing presses for
turning out paper money for the Philip
pines.
The matter was preached at the Gen.
trail Labor Union meeting last night, the
discussion being based on the report Of
committee. 1t was stated there that Sec
- yaV n@vI0 400 aAy1A
who is at the head of the insular bureau
of the government, will object to the use
Of power presses, which would prevent
their installation by the Treasury De-
partment.
Views of Editor Smith.
Discussing the subject. Charles r.
Smith. editor of the Plate Printer, said:
1.-THE decision Of the controller adds
nothing new to the former decision Of
that official. Two weeks ago practically
a similar dictum was issued by Mr..
Tracewell. AS I understand the situation
surrounding this mooted question, the
Secretary of War is the last resort In
insular affairs. and Is practically at the
head Of all affairs in the Philippines
While Controller Tracewel1 may inter-
pref the act of Congress in this case to
mean that the Philippine currency may
No
printed on power presses, as an economic
measure. the Secretary Of War can re-
verse the opinion of the controller and
order that all of the currency OF our
island possessions shall be printed on
hand presses as is the case with the cur
rency of the United States.
Secretary StimsoA's Position.
The Secretary OF War. who has made
careful study of the merits Of the con-
tentions Of the plate printers, has been
quoted semi-officially as ~favoring the
printing OF the Philippine currency. notes
and certificates on the old hand presses.
so that the currency Of the Philippines
may preserve that high state of excel
lence and unsurpassed workmanship in
engraving and printing that gives to the
currency of this country unquestioned SUI
periority and protection against counter
feiting.
This whole matter will be strongly
presented by the plate printers and or
ganized labor influences from all over
the country to the next Congress for
final adjudication. That the final result
will be in our favor We feel assured