The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-21
NEW BANK BILLS SMALLER

Secretary MacVeag1l in Springfield Re- publican.
 l I am sure it is possible to make cur -ency which will not be confusing. It
 was suggested that the various denomina- 1 tions be of different color Many experi- ments were made with this idea in view,
 but thus far there has been devised no scale of colors that will withstand the clever manipulation of the chemist. It would be an easy matter, for instance, to raise d s1 bill which might be green to BIO bill winch would be purple or blue.
 The only practical method of making all denominations individual is in the design aud printing.
 The present currency is tco diverse ir design I believe that each denomination should be characterized by but one DOT trait-that is, that a dollar, for example should have but one likeness printed thereon, no matter whether 1t be silver certificate or treasury note.
 Another undesirable feature of the pres ent paper currency is the great amount of
 unnecessary engraving which suspends the numeral Tn the corner of the note. This is not only confusing, but gives the bill an overdone appearance. The new currency should have plain figures. so placod within a white space that they may be read at a glance.
 The new plates which I will be able to have completed within short time will be one-ffth less in size than the present
 notes. This advantage, together with uniformity of design, will be a great sav- | ing in expense to the department. am able to guarantee that the expense of the new currency will be more than S1,000,- 900 year less than at present. Aside from the economic reasons for the change there are others equally important. Fla cility of handling both by tellers of banks and officials In sub-treasuries is another important gain.
 Not until recently did I learn definitely that I have authority to determine just what shall be the size and design of the currency issued by individual national banks. This matter having been decided am ready to issue a new currency as soon as the mechanical work of engrav- Ing and printing is completed. It has been suggested that the national bank note be liidut run d SciiSS Ol SAbHhdid pioeSS, one for each denomination. If this is done, and it seems entirely plausible, we can save the banks a great expense. In case this method is adopted the name of the bank issuing a given series of notes would be printed into the design on a different color, and by much the same process as is now used in the stamping of the series and number.
 Another feature of the new currency will be it's artistic improvement. We have been in consultation with the most noted artists in the country, and their united opinion is that there is ever more possi- bllity of artistic excellence in the bank note than in the new coins. The new design will not be as much filled with detail as at present is the case
 Another feature of the small bill that will appeal to every one is it's long life. The new note will go into any ordinary purse with but one fold. Each time bill
 is folded it becomes less durable. It will be possible to lay these notes flat in any ordinary bill wallet so that folding and the wearing of the edges will be no longer necessary. When you take into consider ation the fact that the life of a s1 bill is but six months, 1t will be readily seen that anything that tends to save the note from wear is a distinct saving of ex- pense.