The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-03-04
EXAZlZNzYE RIWssI0N

I'm no other form of printing can the beautiful
soft and yet strong effects in black and white be
obtained as in steel engraving The introduc
ton OF cheap mechanical process work has super
seeded the beautiful creations of master
graver commercially, and find the art
limited TO the engraving of securities applied
in the governments bureau of engraving and
printing"
In the engraving division of the big shop the
work is so divided and classified that the engrav
individually become skilled in some particular
branch of the art. Therefore, it is that they
classified portrait, script, square letter and
ornamental engravers. When the classification
and division have been made each workman is
made to confne himself to his speciality. and
it is that he becomes extraordinarily expert
The result of this system is that not only better
execution is secured but much greater amount
is turned out in given time, and what, of course,
is of much greater Importance, increased safety
for Uncle Sans belongings is obtained.
Everything which is issued from the engraving
department of Uncle Sans bureau combines evil
dences of the individual skill and characteristics of
a number of Inasmuch the handiwork
of several men appears upon each plate, it readily
be understood how difficult a thing it is for
any engraver to make perfect reproduction
of of these plates. The combination Of differ
ent styles of workmanship, all excellent, on
single plate makes counterfeiting one of the most
difficult things possible.
In the halls of the bureau specimens of the
work are to be seen and examples of the money
are shown in different stages OF the progress Of
the work. No is allowed to the engravers at
their work. is absolutely necessary that the
plates should be guarded against theft, and so it
is that they are under watch all through daylight
hours and at night they safely placed within
great vaults. One curious thing is be noted,
the government never prints from the original
plate. duplicate of it is made and this is used
for the printing. If this were not done and
thing should happen to the plate first made. its
place would have to be taken by a one, and
even if the skill of the engraver should produce
one almost exactly like the original, it would at
best be only a copy of it, and anything that
printed from the plate would in a way be
counterfeit provided, of course, the original plate
had been used for printing purposes.
Visitors to the bureau shown the printing Of
the notes There are six seven hundred
pIoyees engaged in this work. The paper is a silk
fbered material and the process OF it's
facture is safeguarded, because it must be kept
a trade secret. Anyone who is found with paper
kind in his possession, imitation Of it,
is a yolater of the law
All of the printing is done on hand presses A
with a assistant at each press.
There are four notes to each sheet and each
pressman turns cut about five hundred sheets
day printed side only A most careful
count is kept of the sheets. The counting is done
by several persons. and after it is done the notes
are sent to numbering machines, where blue ink
is used to mark the series letter and each notes
number.
Every day in the year except Sunday a steel
conveyance goes from the bureau Of engraving and
printing to tn treasury department, carrying its
come to the rescue of the harassed blonde. Pity
has softened the heart OF the war Office They
have raised the ban the export of peroxide of
hydrogen to America and the antiseptic viii here