Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-07
A sTENOGRAPHERs, CLUB.
Steps Being Taken to Organize One In WASH
inGton-Advaninges to shorthand Writer.

inSton-AdSaniGges 10 SnorTnand WrfterB.
1T is an odd fact" said a well-known ste
nographer to a STAR reporter, that in the city
OF Washington such thing a stenographers'
club should he unknown. There is hardly
city in this country that can boast of half its
population but what supports hourishing as
sociation Of shorthand writer's. 1t takes three
TO satisfy New York. while Brooklyn. Boston and
Philadelphia each has two. What makes it espe-
cially remarkable is that Washington. Of all
places, contains the material from which an
ideal stenographers' club could be formed.
II cannot understand why the writers of this
city have not Organized themselves into club.
as the benefits to be derived are numerous and
of the most practical nature. This is tho age
for clubs, and surely. of all persons. the
stcnoGrapher should be in the very van Of the
age. There certainly never was n time in the
social history or this country when our people
were more alive to the many advantages which
could be secured through organization, and
know Of no class who would reap greater
benefit thereby than the stenographers. The
nrSt ANA most direct gain would he
that derived from the association of members
anlorg writer's OF their own and other systems.
Shorthand is changing. and many improve
ments have been suggested since Isaac litnan
published his work on photography in 1887,
and all of these changes have not been incorpo-
rated III the text books represe nting the differ
ent systems. One of tie most popular features
connected with the StenograpLers' Association
OF New YORK (Which is the model institution of
Its Kind in the United Staics) 10 what is called
their practice class. A good reader is Sc
lee'cd to tead every evei.iEK for an hour, and
those who wish to avail themselves of this OPP
p0rturitv Tor practice provide themselves with
note book and pencil and maEs n verbatim
report of all tEas Is read during the evening.
For the bei.efit slso of those who are anxious,
to increase their speed InUck trials and debates
are gotten up aff.png the lnemlers. which fur
nish the very L,st kl,ld of practice, besides
ahOIdlng vast amUuLt of nierI Ia.ent for the
ValccAers.
SOCIAL FEATURES.
Taken as body, venture to say there can
be found no briSh liter or wittier class of young
men and ladies than is to be found among
stenographers. In the first place, to be a first
ciaes shorthand writer presulposcs some
thing above the average intelligence; and
the work. If properly lone, tends to brighten
the wits and broaden the culture. A stenogra-
piers club. taken altoge Their. is 4 delightful
affair IN every respect, and the members could
count ON having thoroughly enjoyable time.
In such an organization :he lnembershi
should be composed of both ladies and gentle
men, as near equally divided us possible. In
the S;CnOGra pliers Association of New York
there are over 200 members, over ninety of
whom are ladies Many of the important
features which have been adopted by that as
socintiUn were suggested by the young lady
members.
steps are being taken looking to the speedy
organization o: such club il TINS c,ty. The
Lady stenographers have shown II special i'll
terest In the movement. \ canvass is being
made by number OF the leading shorthand
writers connected with the different depart
lnents, and from present reports enough
writers have sisnitied their Intention of join
ing 10 mere than insure the success Of the or
raniZatiOn.