Evening star., 1915-02-14
Postmaster General Opposes.

Postmaster General Burleson is among
those who are opposing any change in the
method by which this business is done.
He outlined his views on the subject in
his annual report Secretary McAdoo,
whose authority would be circumscribed
by the proposed legislation, is not pub
ncly on record on the subject, but he is
supposed to have set forth opinions ad-
verse to the proposed legislation in per-
both houses of Congress. 1t is said that
not one member of the cabinet, all of
whose departments would be affected, sup
ports the proposed law.
It is contended that the fixing of
standards of printing and binding of
departmental publications is an execu-
tive function. The general supply
committee-created by act of Congress
Of representatives of each of the gov
ernment departments. is charged with
the duty of preparing, under the di-
rection of the Secretary of the Treas
ury. an annual schedule of miscellane-
Gus supplies for the use of all the
government departments. 1t is said
that since the committee was created
substantial economy has been ef-
fected in the purchase of blank books,
duplicating and filing devices and other
stationery, and that general Standard
zation has been accomplished Nothing
would be gained. it is claimed. by TAX
ing the development of standardiza-
tion out of the hands of the general
supply committee and turning it over
to the public printer
Jurisdiction to Committee.
Under the proposed legislation the
joint congressional committee on print
ing would be given Jurisdiction to fix
upon standards of paper of every de-
scription which. in its judgment, will
be required by the government print
ing office. The proposed legislation
would also require that manifold blank
books and forms used in duplicating
processes. complete binding and filing
devices. 1oose-leaf books of every de-
scription. index. catalogue and file
cards. shipping tags, etc, shall be OBJ
tanned from the public printer.
Even il the matter of printing might
be regarded as within the proper
sphere of service of the public printer,
as. Of course, 1t is. there Is a disposi-
ton to dispute the special concern of
the public printer as to such general
supplies as those mentioned.
Some features of the printing bill
now pending before Congress as re-
CARDS the proposed authority to be
vested in the joint committee on print
Burleson IN his annual report. ARE be-
iieved to be incompatible with the ef-
ficient and economic administration of
the purchase Of supplies.
Demonstrated by Experience.
Experience has demonstrated that
printed blanks and forms may fire.
quently be procured cheaper and more
expeditiously through commercial chan
nels than from the government printing
Office. To be compelled to obtain such
supplies through the joint committee
on printing would eliminate competi-
ton and result, in many cases. in higher
prices. would give the public printer
arbitrary power in the superintendent
of departmental work and tend to fur
ther increase attendant delays in de-
1iveries.
In these circumstances it Is believed
unwise from an administrative and
economic point of view for the joint
printing committee, a legislative body
TO make contracts for all printing for
the executive departments"