Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-10-18
PHONOGRAPH REPORTING.
Some Little Improvements VIII Have to
Be Made to Render Things Comfortable.

SSAAo PVVt ieW-r0pOrtef enxlousIy luqu<e0
whether the photograph ID not likely soon TO
supersede the stenograph. II might strike one
that the phonograph would make the best Of
reporters; but the stenographers need not con-
suit their fears until some of its bad habits
have been overcome. The experiment was
tried at the Office Of the Hon. Gordon Blakely,
in hearing, on the Sd Of August last, in Butler
W. Jones. This is the way page S27 Of the tes-
timony would have read il his stenographer
could have had the handling Of it:
Cross-examination by Mr.. Brown:
Q.-"What is your business?"
A.-"Lumber, commission. solicit orders
for door-casings, TO-"
Q.-"Do you know the defendant, Mr..
Jones?'
Ayes, sir"
Q..."And Mr.. Kavsnagh9 Answer yes or
A-"Yes."
Q:."You heard his testimony, given yester-
Ayes; most Of it"
Ole was asked how many castings had
this turned molding on them. and he said he
could not tell. Do you know"
III couldn't tell. A great many"
that molding2"
At was ash"
81 say, did you furnish isa"
Ayes, sir, some Of it."
But the stenogrspher had been given Q vaca-
ton in the expectation that the phonograph
would more than fill his place, and the instru-
ment covered itself with glory, thus:
49, 'Mr. Peck, what's your business2 E?
S Mnas is your bu'iness' say what is your
v nss gave this very loud That
"Oh, my business2 Lumber commission. I
answered that before. solicit door castings
(Here the photograph gave . distinct laugh,
and one politely suppressed).
"'What do you do-do you get them?' Il
mean solicit orders for door castings, &C. DO
you know the defendant, Mr.. Jones?' Yes, sir ;
And Mr.. Kavanagh?' Well, l dunno; pretty
we'll am acquainted with him. You can't
always say you know person. Never mind
quainted with him, if you like that better p
Yes; You heard his testimony, given yester-
dayr Yes, most of it; all I was listening to. I
am little hard Of hearing-been 80 since-let
me see Never mind. He was asked-Where
(Here the phone broke of suddenly and be-
gan to relate an anecdote Of Gen. Sheridan dur
ing the late war. Mr.. Blakely ransacked his
memory as 10 what that had to do with Butler
vs.. Jones, until he remembered that the anec-
dote had been related by Mr.. Whitney, on Mr.
I'm tohdtA Aug tudt IL was very warm, WQll0
Mr. Brown was hunting for passage in the
stenographer's minutes. But, it was no use to
remind the photograph that it was irrelevant
incompetent and immaterial for it would 20
on, and even related Mr.. Blakely's own laugh
at the end, although Mr.. Blakely made q
point OF never laughing at the same anecdote
twice: Then it resumed the examination.)
On, here 1t is. He was asked how many
castings had this turned moulding on them, and
ne said he could not tell; do you know?' 'Eh?'
He was asked how many castings had this
turned moulding on them, and he said he could
many Did you Here's a gentleman to
see you, Mr.. Blakely.' L can't see him now, I
am engaged; tell him to call again. Tom!
Come back and shut the door,"
(The phonograph now initiated tho shutting
now, Mr.. Brown"
(For eighteen seconds the photograph
seemed divided between q desire to report the
question and to initiate the rumbling OF cart
which went through the street, with a few
notes OF what sounded like "Lanagan's Ball. on
a hand orRan.)
Perhaps we had better have that window
shut. We will have the next hearing in the
back room. as usual, gentlemen; l thought it
would be cooler here. Did you furnish the
material to make that moulding?" 1t was ash. >
Il say, did you furnish it?' .Eh?' Did you fur
nish it?' Earn it?' Furnish itr oh! Yes; some
of it,"
"Tom," said Mr.. Blakely, half an hour later
Ego out and post this letter to the stenographer
to tell him he must be back before the next
hearing. II civilization had stopped short the
other side Of the photograph it would have
been advanced enough for me.
There, forgot to tell him to hurry! The
inventors would do well to turn their attention
to making an instrument that would keep track
Of boy when he goes on an Grand"