ENGKAVING AND FEINTING. 113 
conception of the present use of photography in the Geological Survey, 
this increase of force must be considered in connection with the 
immense advantage gained by the use of electric light. 
DIVISION OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING. 
At first the appropriations for engraving and printing the topo- 
graphic and geologic maps were under the control of the Public Printer, 
and the work was done under contract b} 7 the lowest responsible bid- 
ders. This practice was neyer entirely satisfactory. It not only 
resulted in lack of uniformity in the maps, but the system of letting 
contracts to the lowest bidder tended toward a low standard and poor 
work. When, in 1887, it became evident that the old classification and 
color symbolism for the geologic maps must be abandoned, the neces- 
sity for extensive study of and experimentation with colors and pro- 
cesses became manifest, in order that a satisfactory and enduring scheme 
might be devised and established. To such purpose the contract sys- 
tem could not be adapted, and it was seen to be necessary to establish 
within the Survey a division of engraving and printing. 
The first legislative step in this direction was taken when Congress, 
by act of March 2, 1889, made an appropriation of $15,000 for engrav- 
ing and printing the maps of the Geological Survey and placed the 
same under the control of the Director. The next step was the selec- 
tion and appointment, in February, 1890, of a chief engraver, to 
organize within the Survey a division of engraving and printing. 
At the end of the first year the division employed 6 persons and 
occupied one room on the fifth floor of the office building and a small 
room on the fourth floor for printing purposes. Its machinery con- 
sisted of two hand lithographic presses and one copperplate press. 
Within two years it had become necessary for it to occupy the greater 
part of the fifth floor, for the number of its employees had increased 
to 12, and the machinery of the plant had increased correspondingly. 
At the end of the fourth year the plant had grown to such proportions 
that it required a separate building, and in September, 1893, it became 
possible to secure one. In ten years the appropriation had increased 
to $60,000, and the number of employees to 68, and the building had 
been enlarged to double its original size. At present the appropria- 
tion is $100,000 per annum and the number of employees is 85, con- 
sisting of copperplate engravers, stone engravers, electrot} 7 pers, lithog- 
raphers, lithographic printers, photolithographers, typesetters and 
type printers, and experts in the various processes of color printing, 
together with necessary assistants and laborers. The building occupied 
contains 18,540 square feet of floor space, and is equipped with the 
most modern machinery, each machine being operated by its own 
electric motor. 
The plant consists of 7 power lithographic presses, 2 type presses, 
Bull. 227—04 8 
