Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-05
A STENOGRAPHER'S TALK.
A Practical Reporter Gives Some Usef
Hints 10 Beginners.

A Practical Reporter Gives Some Useful
Hints TO Beginners.
The rooms Of the stenographers' association,
907 G street northwest, were filed to over
flowing Last night to hear an address from Mr..
David Wolfe Brown, the senior member of the
corps OF official reporters Of the United States
House of Representatives., on the subject Of
Accuracy in Reporting" Mr.. Brown is IN
doubtedly as well qualified to discuss this
question as any one in the United States, as he
writes what are called "copper-plate" notes
and holds an enviable position in the greatest
''deliberative" body in the world, notwith-
standing the objection of Mr.. Reed, the dis
tinguished e1-Speaker, TO that word.
Among those present prominent in the
vice president Of the association, through
whose kind Offices Mr.. Brown was induced to
deliver the address, Mr. Z. d. Easton, presi-
dent Of the Columbia Photograph Company;
MIR. Cromelin the secretary Of that company,
and several official reporters holding comfort
able positions in the various branches OF the
government
In opening bis remarks Mr.. Brown said shat
although 1t was his business to ''take speeches.
not to make them," he would endeavor to ex-
tend helping hand to those with whom his
early experience put him in sympathy the COM
now confronts the beginner, and which Mr..
Brown escaped, is the choosing Of a system
among the many now offered, and he claimed
that this Is matter OF great importance to the
young stenographer. because some of the
almost numberless modern systems put for
ward by mere theorists or pretenders were SO
impractical that even good amanuensis work
could not be done with them, not to mention
rapid reporting. This is contrary to the usual
notion and was quite startling.
DIFFICULTIES MET By BEGINNERS.
Mr.. Brown then considered some of the diff
H. ulties met by the beginner, taking up first
the necessity Of mastering the principles, that
is, what is called "the corresponding STYLE"
showing how the advanced reporter used it in
indicating the vowels by position, the forma-
tion Of outlines. the difference between the
positions in the reporting and the correspond
ing styles and giving some general rules
adopted during his long and laborious career.
Then taking for bis text the words "Ah me,
/ shall never master them," he discussed the
methods Of memoriZing the immense number
OF gramrnalogues or word signs of some of the
text books, dumbfounding as we'll as cheering
the hearts Of those present by stating that
these formidable lists contain many special
contractions which need not be learned, be-
cause useless for practical work. He instanced
such rare words as ''fantasm," ''barbaric,"
"transubstantiaton." &c. He knew expert re-
porters who had declined to burden their men,
cries with such special coptractiOns, preferring
to rely wherever practicable upon the broad
and general principles Of the stenographic art.
WORD AND PHRASE sIens.
Mr.. Brown then gave what he considered the
requirements Of good grammalogue or word
sign illustrating his points, He said there
were three requisites: The word must be of
frequent occurrence; the special sign must be
decided gain in brevity rs compared with the
full stenographic representation, and the out
line must not conflict with any other.
After treating at length OF phrase writing
with some striking blackboard illustrations
and showing the best method in his experience
for obtaining speed he concluded with some
greatly appreciated general advice and encour-
agement in treading the hard and thorny path of
the reporter and wound up by advising. much
to the astonishment of those present that they
all attend divine services every Sunday, rain or
shine. not, however, for pleasure, but for prac-
tlce, not SO much for moral as for stepographic
advancement
In the course Of his remarks, speaking of the
capabilities Of shorthand, Mr.. Brown instanced
the case Of Mr.. Dennis Murphy, the veteran
reporter Of the Senate, who, he said. first
learned the photographic alphabet in March,
1S4S when fifteen years old. and in December
following. nine months later, was reporting the
United States Senate, being then employed as
an assistant. A vote Of thanks was unanimously
rendered to Mr.. Brown. 1t is expected that
the address will be put into printed form for
future use and study and a copy presented to
each member as q souvenir OF the occasion.
Mr.. Browns address was one OF the series Of
entertainments for stenographers presented
every Wednesday evening at the rooms Of the
association for the benefit OF its members,
other nights being devoted to speed classes.