# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1857_S367
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 367 —

...purchases had, of necessity, to take place — not only of printed
materials, but also of a steam press worth 2,500 dollars. Although the
printing house's present worth amounts to nearly 5,000 dollars, more
will still have to be done over time; in particular, the steam press
must be driven by steam power, which has not yet happened so far.
Under these circumstances it was not possible for the printing house's
managers to reach the goal originally set, that the printing house
would become self-sufficient within 5 years, and it will be an
impossible task to achieve this within that period, especially since
work is to be supplied at low prices, as has been the case until now.
For typesetting per 1,000 ems [1000 m], only 30 cents has so far been
charged, except for "Der Lutheraner," instead of the 50 and 60 cents
that are the going rate elsewhere — and this, too, takes into account
that the congregation in St. Louis had given the synodical printing
house free use of a location.

Since the printing house has already reached so high a value, nearly
5,000 dollars, and further expenses are still needed, and since
overseeing a printing house is, moreover, bound up with many
difficulties and, according to general experience, is to be feared
likely to cost more in the future than it brings in, it would seem
advisable to transfer the synodical printing house to its current
managers, A. Wiebusch and Son, under the following proposed
conditions:

1. That the printing house continue henceforth to bear the name
"Synodical Printing House" [Synodal-Druckerei];

2. That the Synod declare itself willing to direct, where possible,
all printed matter issued by it or by individual bodies within it to
this printing house;

3. That the following commitments from A. Wiebusch and Son be
accepted:

a. All work shall be delivered cheaply, punctually, in keeping with
the demands of the times, and exactly according to the specifications
given;

b. On all work given to the press by the Synod, or by any body within
it, or even by an individual member of it, a discount of 10% shall be
granted, so that the synodical printing house prints everything 10%
cheaper than the rates charged by other print shops in St. Louis.

c. The printing and publishing of small pamphlets, such as sermons,
tracts, etc., will be undertaken by the owners at the parties'
request, even where it cannot be guaranteed that the printing costs
will be covered by sales.

d. In the event of a death or the business being given up, the Synod
shall have the right of first refusal on the printing house.

4. A committee familiar with the business, and able to negotiate
prices, is to be elected by the Synod.

Since the undersigned, who has so far been a member of the committee
for publishing "Der Lutheraner," lives too far from the printing
house, and must, besides, hand most of his duties over to others, it
will be to the Synod's advantage not to re-elect him.

Respectfully, J. F. Bünger.

After the Synod had weighed the reasons for, and the conditions under
which, Pastor Bünger advised this transfer, and had taken oral counsel
on the matter with Mr. Wiebusch, who was personally present, this
transfer was approved and resolved by the Synod under the conditions
set forth.