87

1871. From March, 18 to May, 25, the Imprimerie nationale, which had been the State Printing Office for over two centuries, was seized by the French Commune. It was requested to print administrative and official documents and, above all, the numerous posters and tracts which gave daily news to besieged Parisian people. While its executive officers fled to Versailles with the legal government, three workers strove to put into practice the democratic and egalitarian ideals of the Commune, such as self-management, abolition of penalties, replacement of piece wages by weekly wages, simplification of hierarchy. Unlike most of the public services, the Imprimerie nationale managed to supply the new authorities. Besides it proved to be a successful laboratory of social experiences. But the victory of the army of Versailles put an end to this interlude and brought the former rules back.