arrived here on October 15, 1901, reported to you, and were taken in consultation as to a building for the plant. Then they were assigned to the insular purchasing agent to take charge of contract printing and of the insular purchasing agent printing branch located at the quartermaster's shops. Arriving on October 26, 1902, with twelve members of the force, I reported to you and was assigned office room in the ayuntamiento building. On October 31, 1902, the insular auditor requested a detail of four printing experts to reaudit bills for contract printing. With your approval, the following employees were assigned: E. E. Gessler, proof reader; Jerome Kendall, printer; L. M. Allen, bookbinder; Fred. A. Anderson, pressman. This assignment lasted approximately two months. The volume of office work so increased that I had to recall Messrs. Jones and Hoggsette, and Jerome Kendall and W. G. Vandever were assigned in their stead, the former in charge of contract printing and the latter of the branch office. Other employees were assigned to the branch office from time to time when their services were needed. Notwithstanding the detail of employees to other bureaus their salaries were paid from the appropriations of this bureau. Act 296, "An act creating a bureau of public printing," was enacted November 7, 1901, and the bureau was organized thereunder on November 13, 1901. During the month of November shipments were arriving from the States, so it became necessary to erect a temporary shed for housing the equipment and to rent a warehouse for storing supplies. A shed 130 by 30 feet was erected at the north end of the present building to invoice the plant in order to cable payments according to agreement. Necessary electrical connections were made with the ice plant to test the machinery. The supplies were stored at 254 San Miguel. The civil governor and the secretaries of the departments were notified by letter on June 9, 1902, that on and after that date this bureau would assume control of the public printing and binding, being at that time able partially to operate in the composing room, bindery, and press room. Allowance should be made on account of the services rendered by employees as instructors of native craftsmen, and this ought to be borne in mind in any comparison as to cost of operation. If some provision can be made whereby employees may secure wholesome food at more reasonable prices than prevail at present, and suitable houses rented at lower rates, it will no doubt tend to the retention of efficient employees and render it comparatively easy to secure additional men. There was appropriated in act 283 for "making repairs and additions to the building to be occupied by the public printing office, for grading and laying out the grounds about the building, and for repairing the fence surrounding the grounds,' $50,000 in United States currency. Act 389 made a further appropriation of $34,555.33, United States currency, for the above purpose. Act 437 provided $1,475.20 "for expenses in grading and laying out the grounds about the public printing building, including filling and sodding and the hire of laborers in the above work." Tabular statements are attached hereto, giving in detail the information required by paragraph 3, section 2, act 296. Of the amounts appropriated to this bureau in acts 311 and 389, it will be seen from Table 1, financial statement, that the sum of $52,895.46 was returned to the treasurer. The estimates for these quarters were based on representations that portions of the building would be ready for occupancy during those periods. A supplemental statement is appended showing the operations of the bureau during the months of July and August, 1902, as requested. (Exhibit B.) As the plant stands to-day, having its own power plant, with boiler adapted to use coal or crude oil as fuel, a machine shop, gas plant, and the latest improved machinery in the mechanical branches, each machine run by an independent motor, economizing space and power, it appears to be admirably adapted to do the work required by the government of the Philippine Islands. In conclusion I desire to call attention to the short time in which the schedules were completed and to testify to the mechanical skill of the employees in installing the plant. The machinery in this office is of a very intricate nature and arrived from the United States in parts. The machines were erected and operated successfully without delay. JOHN S. LEECH, Public Printer. |