The evening world., 1888-07-07
TENOGRAPHERS
The Necessity for Organization in the
Profession.
Skilled Laborers Who Are
Worthy Of Better Hire,
BY
S. H. DITCHETT,

Perhaps in none of the industrial arts has
the necessity for organization been SO thor
oughly demonstrated Of late years as in the
stenographic profession. Although used TO
some extent for many wears previously in the
United States. it is only within the past ten
years or thereabouts that stenography has at
tanned such prominence as to have now be-
come almost indispensable in every branch
of commercial and professional pursuits.
THE ARMY OF sTENoaRAPHRRs.
It is estimated that there are now over
40, 900 stenographers in the United States and
nearly 5000 IN New York City and vici lily
but although the utility Of the art has thus
become recognized and the demand for those
practising it has developed to such an
enormous extent, the compensation offered
for the services rendered seems to have de-
clined rapidly IN an inverse ratio.
The earlier stem graphic societies in New
York appear to have had no practical aim in
Y ew rather than sociabihty and the ma'er al
deve opment OF the sp rit of afiliat on which
member of the same profession are likely to
possess.
LOCAL. ORGANIZATIONS
The principal local n socintlons of this
kind. with the dates of their organization, as
| mentioned in Mr.. j. f.. Rockwell's report,
issued by d rection OF the Bureau Of Educa-
ton at Washington, were The American Pho
noeraphic. Society, January, 1869; the Stole
| Stenographic Society OF New York, in 1879;
the New York Munson Photographic Society
Jan. 8, 1872; the Law Stenographers' A So
citation. in April. 1872, aud the Phonogra:'hic
Mutual Improvement Association, New York,
in September, 1873. These were all wanting,
however. in the practical object of protection
for the member of the profession, and 30.
after q time, passed out of existence.
A WIDE SCOPE.
In November. 1884, q small society was
started, known as the Circle Stenographic."
The following year some of its members, he
lieving the time to be ripe for q practical
organization, called a meeting of stenog-
raphers and succeeded in coming an a>so-
citation. having headquarters at the knicker-
booker Building, 2 West Fourteenth street.
Under the fostering care of its founders. the
progress of that association was steady, until
il had finally reached II point where its sue
cess was believed to be assured.
CAUSES OF ILL SUCCESS.
Unfortunately, however, the constitution
of the association, which had been drawn up
with u view to q limited membership, was
found unequal to the control of the large and
promiscuous body attrac ted by the strenu-
Gus efforts of its officers to extend its scope
and influence. While the membership in
creased in a most satisfactory and gratifying
manner. it inevitably happened that an ele-
ment which had not the best int rests Of the
profession at heart. obtained admission to
the society. and accord ng to the rules drawn
up by the founders of the association, who
did not anticipate such n result at the CON-
mtncement of their efforts, was fully adj
mi ted to the full benefits enjoyed by men,
bers of two and three years standing;
This confidence was 80 i'll repaid that the
founders and older members. who had
borne the burden and heat of the day" be-
gan TO see the result OF their years OF labor
trittered away by q few irresponsible persons
who had been members OF the association
but u few months.
NEW START.
1t became evident that a thorough reorgan-
ization On a new basis would be necessary in
order to properly carry out the purposes for
which such an association was needed, and
accordingly in May of the present year, the
/ StenogrApbers' Association of New \ ork was
formed, with headquarters at So East Nine
teenth street, and with the following officers :
President, J. p. Mcmahon Vice resident,
G. H.. Shelton; Secretary, s. II. Dltchett
Treasurer, G. Hoberg; Executive Commit
tee, Miss NJ. G. Brown, Messrs. F.. w. Per-
kins and Il. NJ. Wall.
Its dues are II per month, ladies' (of whom
there are many in the association and menu
: bers residing out of the city being half rate.
METHODS AND AIMS.
The specific aims of this association are.
. first, to make it q recognized body of capable
photographers. While the association is open
a to all shorthand writers of whatever grade, IT
appeals forcibly to st~enographers of assured
positions in its endeavor to become the
mouthpiece and representative of the craft in
the CITY OF NEW 1Ork anu ltS VICINITY.
As a meeting place tor stenographers, where
E information relating to the profession can be
acquired and social intercourse be sustained,
and as a means of affording the benefits of q
a library of valuable works of refe. ence and
a reading room-all of which are contem'
. plated in the scheme of its or ginators-it de-
I serves the SUPPORT OF every stenographer in
> this city and neighborhood.
One of the most benetic' al results of the
9 organic 'tion is the opportunity afforded fol
! mutual assistance in procuring positions fol
members, and this object IL constantly kept
i, in view and developed to the fullest extent.
u TO ELEVATE THE ART.
p. Our aim is further to create and maintain &
high standard of efficiency among stenog,
: raphers. To this end speed classes are il
4 operation every evening, giving an oppor
tunity for Improvement in shorthand writing
while the intercourse which is afforded witt
stenograpr ers of superior abilities and ex
n perience Is calculated to stimu ate the ambi
:, ton of the less experienced, besides plac ns
y the tyro, in a position to acquire valuable
n hints and Information on shorthand subjectl
Q from practical members of the craft.
TYPEwRITING FosTERED.
As typewrltlng and stenography go hant
in hand, an opportunity is also given t
n members to familiariZe themselves with tn,
operation of the best typewriters. In tn,
"a rooms of the association may be found type
mond and Crandal! pattern, to which an!
member can hare access at any time on tn,
understanding that he takes proper care o
the instrument.
These machines have been furnishe,
gra,uitously to the association by thei
10 respective manufacturers who have thu
kindly shown their interest in the efforts o
the "pencil. pushers" to form a successiu
associate, n. The association is a great bool
to those commencing their career us stenog
raphers, rs no speed test is required @
candidates for admission INTO its ranks.
FIGnTING Low WAGES.
We endeavor to remedy the continual de
e probation III the remuneration TOR steno
ir graphic services. For the past few year
probably no trade or profession has recei, o,
such enormous access ons to its ranks as tina
of shorthand. While tie demand for aman