Evening star., 1924-11-23
KIRBY RETENTION
AT BUREAU SOUGHT
Congress to Be Asked to Ex-
tend Leave, Which Expires
on December 16.

In order that plans for reorganiza-
ton and improvement of the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing may be
completed by the newly organized
board of directors of seven men,
Congress will be asked to extend the
time of Maj. Wallace W. Kirby, U. S.
A, as director"
The special act under which Ma j.
Kirby has been serving as director
OF the bureau provides that he shall
return to the Army on or before De-
cember 1e. According to present
prospects, Maj. Kirby will not be able
TO complete by that time the program
which, together with the six other
men now comprising the board, he
has been developing.
Mai. Kirby has had large part in
the change that has taken place at
the bureau. Morale has been strength
ened, processes improved, and the
whole system of operation has been
revised, resulting in greater efficien-
cy. This is attested to not only by
Treasury officials, but by spokesmen
for the workers themselves.
While 1t is not known exactly what
new improvements may be under
consideration, II was understood last
night that they would not be radical
In the least, but would be a contin-
uance OF working out the general
scheme which has already been
placed in operation with what is
agreed to be pronounced success.
Not only has the responsibility at
the bureau been divided among seven
men, comprising the board of dircc-
tors, but the system of organization
Of the plant has been simplified. In
doing this 81 major units and 1f2
submits have been reduced to 23
major units and 95 submits.
The load thrown upon the bureau
has been gradually increasing within
the past few years, with the growing
business of the nation, until 1t has
been realized that new methods
would be necessary to cope with the
problems Of production in the future.
The dollar bill, alone, for instance,
has greatly increased in general use.
causing a growth in work for the bu-
|reau. For instance, Treasury figures
show that the Federal Reserve Banks
in the Governments fiscal year, 1922,
paid into circulation 628.7S6, 200
dollar bills. In 1923 they paid 75s,-
$4,000. In 1924 they paid S97.7S4, 600.
And the prospect is, according to
Treasury officials, that the demand
this year will far exceed the past
record.
Not only has there been a demand
for dollar bills, but the bureau has
been burdened with turning out Sc
lcurities used in refunding the liberty
bonds: it has had to print the forms
used by the Government in officially
checking up on Withdrawals of liquor
from warehouses, and 1t has now on
its hands the additional task of turn
ing out the certificates for the world
war adjusted compensation.
Secretary of the Treasury Mellon,
Undersecretary Garrard B. Winston,
and Assistant Secretary Charles S
Dewey, are all known to be well pleased
with results 80 far achieved at the
bureau, and are hoping that the system
structure as to carry the bureau safely
through the future, regardless of any
exigencies.
The board OF seven men. which sits
at luncheon each Friday at the bureau
to formulate policies, and watch the
progress Of the work is of such varied
makeup that the change of any one or
two or three would not seriously shake
up the bureau organization, or disturb
its operation, now on a sound business
like basis This board Is headed by
Assistant Secretary Dewey, and Director
Kirby.
Praise for both Maj. Kirby and the
new administration at the bureau ID
contained in an editorial in the cur.
rent number of the Plate Printer, of.
fetal organ Of the plate printers
unions.
1--WE continue the good report.