Evening star., 1952-03-28
U. 5. Engravers
Work Overtime
Making Money
Bureau in Record Year
To Keep the New
Greenbucks Rolling
By Hugh Humphrey

money these days - including
Uncle Sam.
While most wage-earners toll
for their greenbacks, the. money
factory at Fourteenth and D
streets S.W.-oficially known as
the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing-is grinding them out on
overtime at the rate Of $50 mil
lion each day.
According to statistics. q share
the-wealth split would give each
citizen around $181.95 Of the more
than $28 billion now in circula-
ton. If there's dollar shortage
in your wallet, don't blame it on
the Bureau Of Engraving. Here is
its production record since 1947:
1948-1,493,028 900 pieces Of
currency engraved and printed,
representing a dollar value Of
$4,911 ZOO, 900.
1919, ,682, $4,000 pieces Of
currency; value, $6.526.32 900.
1861. 1.643. .724, 900 pieces Of
currency: value, $6,503. $40, 900.
1951-2,189, ,125, 900 pieces Of
currency; value. $9,441 $3.50. 600.
1852 Preliminary estimate
calls for 2.452. .000. 900 pieces Of
currency.
No Estimate Yet.
Since the bureau isn't interested
in the face value of the notes 1t
turns out Git produces whatever
the Treasury calls for), no esti-
mate of total face value will be
available until the end of the year.
Everybody wants more money
and with a record year for pro-
duction behind, the bureau is
expecting a new high in turning
out the ever-popular commodity
this year.
Despite imitation and the rough
treatment given money today. the
dollar bill really does go a little
further-in circulation. A few
years ago. the average buck lasted
about nine months. Today, it
changes hands for 10 months be-
fore heading back to the bureau
for replacement-a major reason
for much Of its work.
Treasury officials don't blame
imitation alone for the record
money production. The popula-
ton growth has created a greater
demand for junior grade allow
ances and teen-ager pin money.
More cash-especially dollar bills
lis changing hands now. En-
ployment is up, too. causing in
dustry to need more currency for
payrolls.
Costs Increase Work.
But, since it takes more dollars
to pay the grocer now. Treasury
experts concede that rising costs
have played a big role in increas-
ing the load on Uncle Sans
money factory.
Meeting the demand for the
long green keeps the bureau and
its officials constantly on the move
trying to anticipate the Treas
ury's orders. Each year, Treasury
experts scan the production figures
and budget estimates. They study
the payrolls of industry and COM
merce and the census forecasts in
an effort to avert a shortage OF
dollars in circulation.
The bureaus 6,179 employees
have developed an air Of contempt
toward the bales of greenbacks-
except. when payday rolls around.
Then, personnel officials say, the
workers who grind out about $50
million cash each day rush to
meet the paymaster. as If they
hadn't seen money in years.
But the big problem crops up
when the Federal Reserve Board
calls for more money to meet a
sudden drain on its currency sup
ply. II a war plant expands
quickly and adds several thousand
workers, millions Of dollars In new
money will be needed to meet the
payroll.
The bureaus personnel officers
swing into action, adding work.
ers to extra shifts. trying to adjust
work hours to home-life schedules
and adjusting the budget to meet
the extra expense.
Complaints Are Many.
Another minor headache for bu-
reau aides stems from a constant
stream of inquiries and complaints.
Hundreds of letters pour in each
year, asking why the portraits of
certain persons were selected to
adorn currency. A common COM
plant is directed against the
choice of Washington over Lincoln
on the dollar bill. Lincoln was a
man Of the people. writer's con-
tend; therefore his portrait should
have been on the piece Of currency
In greatest circulation.
Most of these questions have no
logical answer. There is no indi-
vidual act Of Congress that au-
thorizes the Bureau Of Engraving
and Printing. Started in 1862
with q staff Of only six persons.
the recorded history Of the bureau
Is obscure In many respects. Along
with q vague background before
1875. the reasons for such things
rs choice of green and black for
currency color. the choice Of por-
traits and other interesting points
Is unknown.
Theft No Problem.
To the average visitor, the great
est problem would seem to be pro-
lection Of the large piles Of money
from theft. Actually. bureau Of
ficials say, there's no trouble on
that score. Through an elaborate
system Of bookkeeping and check
ing, 1t is next to impossible for an
employe to get away with even one
dollar, despite the lack Of q per-
sonal inspection when leaving the
building.
The bureau keeps an accurate
record of every scrap Of paper in
the building. from the time it ar
rives from the mill until it is
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