Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-08
Master Craftsman
10 Superintend
States Printing
BY Joseph p. Grenier, Supt.

The first appropriation for state
printing was 100000 made in 1884.
This sum was increased from year
! to year until 1870 when it reached
$3OOO.OO.
1t was the custom of each legisla-
ture to elect q committee on print
ing and the contract was awarded
from bids received. 1t was not, how
. ever, always given to the lowest bid
der. Location and capacity to take
care of the printing was always a
consideration.
Up to 1895. bills were audited by a
practical printer appointed by the
Governor and Council. In 1893 an
act was passed creating the office of
auditor of State printing. but no ap-
pointment with salary was made I'M
til 1905. The office was abolished by
the legislature of 1911. but the work
was done by a practical printer APP
pointed by the state auditor without
special authorization by law. In
1915 the office of superintendent of
Public Printing was created with the
power of appointment lodged in the
State auditor. BY virtue of an
amendment, passed in 1919, the gov
ernor now appoints the Superinten-
dent of Public Printing and the Of
flee is part of the executive depart
ment.
Improvements
Through the office of Superinten-
dent of Public Printing improve
ments are constantly being made and
the business of printing and binding
for the State is being placed on a
sound business basis. Cooperation
by the several departments makes
this a healthy venture, saving money
for the state, gradually eliminating
waste, over-production. and unnec-
essary detail, which heretofore have
gone unnoticed.
The Office has been provided with
complete modern letter manifold
Ing equipment and addressing de-
partment, giving excellent service in
efficiency and quality of work. Many
of the departments have taken ad-
vantage of these facilities and find
them a tremendous help in saving
time and energy.
Competitive Bids
The printing for the state is d.
vided into classes and competitive
bids are solicited and proposals ac-
cepted for doing the work under
contract, the contract usually run
IllHS LOT a perlOu Oh TWO years.
Four Glasses OF Printing
There are four classes of printing.
Class A, book printing. includes an
nual or biennial reports of state Of
ficials, departments, institutions.
boards or commissions. and similar
books, pamphlets, catalogues, etc,
consisting of eight pages or more,
also abstracts of same printed from
same type.
Class B. miscellaneous job print
ing. including blank forms, GndeX
and filing cards, tab cards, loose
leaves, and ruled blanks excepted,
circulars Of less than eight pages,
stationery printed with the ordinary
letter press, and general office sup
plies. Circulars issued in series,
where uniformity of style is impor-
tant, though occasionally compris-
ing eight pages or more may be
kept wholly within Glass L If deemed
most feasible.
Class G, legislative printing, in
Guiding both book and job printing
concurrent with and contingent upon
sessions of the legislature, required
by the order or for the use of the
legislature.
Class d, election ballots for state.
Congressional and presidential cleo
lions and accessories necessary for
the packing and distribution of same,
also election notices and blanks for
returns.
Cost of Printing
The cost of printing by classes for
the year 1917, which is a fair aver
age, is as follows:
PRINTING
Class A .S12.645. 30
Glass 3 1907. 90
Class Z d d ............. V,,922 81
CLASS - ................ 3,169. So
Die-stamplng ........... 2,G61. "a
Plate printing: Etchings
and Halftones 61n11
BINDING
Class A ................$ 3,75O.14
lass 3 ................. 3,63S.O7
lass z q ID ............. 7,13O.17
lass = 1850
Total Printing, Binding,
Die-stamping. Etchings
and Halftones S4.9S3. 80
This combined printing means
nearly seven million impressions and
nearly seven and one-quarter million
pieces of paper.
Office Expenses
There are three persons employed
IN the office of the Superintendent of
printing. The annual maintenance
expense averages $500.
In 1879 the project was seriously
considered of CONNECTING Aupucsa