Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-07-11
Impressions Gained by
A Visitor in Rock Island

was point of more than ordinary in
terest. Prof. Grraftstrom was not in
when we called, but young lady stu
dent very kindly pointed out and gave
us information regarding the work
of the studio. Prof Grafstrom is es-
pecially fond of reproducing land
scape scenes. He has finished a can
vas that he expects to place among
the exhibits at the worlds fair at St.
Louis next year. 1t is scene from
Swedish Lapland. The grand noun
tain scenery is faithfully reproduced
and am encampment of Laplanders
with their herd of reindeer is shown.
Other studies from nature in the
studio include several Minnesota
lake scenes, a view of Lindsbong,
Kans., and surrounding fertile plains,
etc. y large canvas suitable for an
altarpiece was a copy of HOffman's
Christ" Later we had the pleasure
of meeting Prof. Grafstrom and ZEN
joyed brief interview with him. The
professor is one of the Swedish
Americans who is making credit
able record in the cultivation of art in
this country. The old school building
| is largely used for dormitory and din
| ing hall. Prof. Williamson kindly
gave us Il recommendation for Il pass
to the government reservation. On
| the massive limestone walls which
support the embankment of the ter
race along the street below are en-
graved the names of young peoples
societies from all parts of the synod
that obviously have assisted in the
erection of the wall. There is room
for much more endeavor of this sort,
before the grounds and campus are
enclosed and handicapped az they
should be. On passing down the mas
sive stone steps that lead from the
school buildings we could not sup
press a feeling of envy towards those
of our young people who are privileg-
ed to attend this institution of learn
ing with it's christian spirit, beautiful
surroundings and it's able corps of
ms tructors.
The Book Concern.
On the corner of the block to the
northeast of the college buildings
stands the Augustana Book Concern
| Island-Moline electric cars pass its
doors. The building consists of three
stories and a basement. On the first
floor are the offices and the stock of
books. The value of the latter at the
last inventory amounted to $40 or 20.
The offices are fitted up with mod
ern fixtures. There are separate
compartments for the manager. book
keeper and clerks. At the rear is
he packing room. The boxes CON
tanning the stock of books displayed
at the meeting of the synod had just
arrived and were to be unpacked. A
large shipment for the New York City
branch store was being prepared un-
der the personal supervision of the
manager of the same, Mr.. Boman, to
whom we were much indebted for
courtesies in showing us through
the plant. In the basement is the
press room. Three up-to-date ma
chimes are installedthere. On one, an
Optimus BarnenS Tidning was being
printed, four to sheet. On Niche,
the edition of Augustana was being
printed. Large quantities of paper
stock are stored in the basement.
The second story contains the com
posing room, where the matter to be
printed is set in type. The equipment
includes one standard linotype ma
chine. The proof-reading and edito-
rial rooms are located on this floor.
Also room for the use of the board
of directors. In the rear are the
store rooms for electrOtype plates
and cuts of all kinds On the third
floor the Globe bindery is located and
a very busy place it is. Here large
quantities of the various books pub
lished by the concern were in the vari-
Gus stages of the process of binding.
In the rear is the mailing room where
two men are kept busy at mailing the
publications of the synod and at keep
ing the mail lists corrected up to
date. The publications are the fol-
lowing: Augustana, the weekly
church organ, with an average circu-
latiOn of 1897; Barnens Tidning, the
Swedish Sunday school paper, with an
average semi-monthly circulation of
"a ,25O copies; The Olive Leaf. the
monthly English Sunday school paper
with an average circulation of 1865
copies; Ungdoms-Vannen, young
peoples magazine, with an average
circulation of 5,675 copies and the
Augustana Journal, the English
church organ. with an average semi
monthly circulation of 2,OS3 copies. a
freight elevator connects the different
floors and trucks are used for moving
the heavy editions to and from the
various departments. Everything is
in good order and the work is system
atically arranged. Fifty-twO people
are employed. The value of the build
ing without contents and the lot is
very conservatively placed at 500 ,2s6.
"a. The business showed a net gain
of $10,030.O4 during the past year, be-
sides $4,000 which was appropriated
to the college treasury The institu-
tion is one of which any Swedish
American might feel proud.
visit to Island.
After dinner H.1fN mazda visit To