Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-11
BUREAU WORKERS
i, WANT. OVERTIME
Several Petitions Addressed by
Engraving and Printing En-
ployes to Mr.. McAdoo.
MAY MODIFY 8-HOuR PLAN

In addition to the petition for per-
mission to perform overtime labors
adopted at the mass meeting of en-
ployes of the bureau of engraving and
printing last night, score or more of
other petitions from employees of the
bureau have been addressed to the Sec
rotary of the Treasury, all in similar
strain.
These petitions represent the senti-
ments of the various sections and diyi-
eions OF the bureau. Among them are
petitions from the engravers, wetters,
laundry workers, examiners, stamp per-
forators, rag laundry worker mocha
nicians, engineers and another general
petition signed by 500 employees.
There is no doubt left that the gen
eral sentiment of the workers IN the
bureau of engraving and printing is 10
be allowed to perform overtime labors
There is little doubt. however, that the
eight-hour order will stand, perhaps
slightly modified in respect to certain
conditions of work where overtime ls
an imperative condition, such as would
affect the repair shop, for instance.
Committee at Bureau.
The members of the committee of in
estigation-Assistant Secretary oscar
T. Crosby, Oscar a. Price. auditor Tor
the Interior Department, and James L.
Wilmeth. chief clerk of the Treasury
Department were at the bureau of
engraving and printing this afternoon
They ate a ffteen-cent luncheon, as
served to the employees, in the general
lunchroom of the bureau. Beef tender
loin was the principal item.
Afterward, the committee inspected
various activities of the bureau to de-
termine in just what respects any modl-
fications of the eight-hour law would
tfx-a No ont n% a
committee is positive, in favor of the
application of the eight-hour day ex-
cept where physically and economically
impossible.
Director Ralph at Treasury.
Director Joseph f. Ralph was at the
Treasury Department earlier in the
day. 1t Is to be assumed that he laid
before Assistant Secretary Crosby the
situation as regards work to be done.
seeking instructions how to proceed
to get out the work with his labor IA
cilities curtailed by application of the
eisht-hour order. beginning today.
The application of the order would
seem to mean that part of the work
Of the bureau will necessarily be
farmed out. What class of work would
be set aside for performance by private
concerns would have to be decided.
The bureau is under contract with the
Post Office Department to print its
dmbureahle account with the federal
reserve board for the printing of fed
eral reserve notes and federal reserve
bank notes.
May Sublet Stamp Contract.
The stamp contract might possibly
have to be subIet. as of q. nature of
work that could most easily be per-
formed by private concerns Should
this be done much machinery Of the
bureau would lie idle. 1t is doubtful II
the Post Office Department would be
pleased with the arrangement, espe-
cially as the bureau has given great
satisfaction ever since it took the con-
tract out of private hands. and has
greatly lowered the cost of production.
Making paper currency for the fed
eral reserve board is as important as
the production of United States notes
1t is doubtful If any private concern
would be allowed to undertake this job
or that the Treasury Department would
be willing that the plates in the Gus
tody of the bureau should be intrusted
to other hands.