Evening star., 1933-09-10
Speeding Up the Eagles Wings
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

Spreading the wings Of the Blue Eagle
of Recovery over the country in record
time was task which devolved on the
Government Printing Ofiice, and its &C
complishment resulted in record per-
Torrance. Although this worlds larg-
est printery, which functions under the
direction Of George H. Carter, the pub
lie printer has become accustomed TO
record breaking tasks the production OF
the millions OF copies of printed matter
to spread thu message Of the National
Recovery Administration over the land
and provide local authorities with or
ganizational material overtopped any
thing done even in the hectic days OF
the World War when the consSription
of the Army and the Liberty Loan cam
paigns were forward.
It was of the utmost importance to
have the printed material in the hands
of postmasters and local committee
aiding organizations while the initial
enthusiasm, engendered by President
Roosevelt's appeal for public co-opera-
ton, was at its height. With the Pres
idents words still ringing in their ears.
the people required the muniments OF
organization.
Overnight the Washington govern
mental establishment sprouted IL new
agencies, all associated with the work
Of national recovery. At any time the
Government Printing Once has tre-
mendous job in turning out the vast
amount of matter called for by the
regular establishments. To have the
demands OF these new agencies piled on
top of regular routine, almost without
warning. constituted as severe q test
as could be placed on any productive
agency AS an indication Of how well
the work was done, 1t has been found
that, in some cities, the intensive work
of canvassing and perfecting the local
recovery machinery has been delayed
somewhat because supplies of posters
and other matter. to be used in the
drive. were not ready. They were being
prepared by private contract printers.
The only printed matter which did not
cause delay was that which was pro-
duced by the Government Printing
Office
Like an automobile. moving from low
gear into high, the great printing fac
tory turned to three consecutive eight
hour shifts. All night the presses
hummed and the blazing windows Of
the tall printing office structure shone
out over the city like symbols OF the
tireleSS pace OF productlon.
Codes Out in Record Time.
OF prime Importance was the mailing
to every postmaster in the United
States copies Of the blanket code. Six
million copies were sent out, but the
Enclosures. including the certificate Of
compliance with the Presidents re-
employment agreement, meant the col
lating, envelope filling and handling Of
"a 900 900 items of printed matter.
There extends from the Printing
Once Building % the post Office, across
the street, a tunnel. and through this
operates a moving belt, 1.500 feet long.
The movement Of matter from the
printing office to the mail sacks never
stopped. To prevent any delay, Mr..
Garter borrowed every available sealing
machine in Washington. Other branches
of the Government service lent ma
chimes and even private commercial es-
tablishments responded generously. Five
new machines were ordered from a
manufacturer and rushed to Washing
ton by express That was the tempo Of
all the G. p. o. work
Meantime. the other branches Of the