The Washington times., 1905-01-01
DREAM CONTEST
A BIG SUCCESS
Flood Of Contributions Al
most Swamps Editor
SPECIAL DELIVERY LETTERS
Unnecessary Rush to Get Manuscript
Into Cmce-Some Rules to
Be Observed

Beginning Monday morning last the
new dream department of The Times
has been doing a rushing business. In
response to the announcement made in
Sundays paper that 500 in prizes would
be given for the stories of the oldest,
most pathetic, amusing, or mysterious
dreams experienced by readers of The
Times, and told by themselves, there
has been a food of contributions that
has almost buried the editor.
Notwithstanding the clearly worded
announcement that the contest would
be open for several weeks, during which
time there would be printed each Sunday
q page of dreams selected from the best
submitted. maIy persons have appar-
entity thought it necessary to get in their
contribution this past week. Yesterday
there were many dreams forwarded by
special delivery.
Take Your Time
AS a matter of fact, it makes abso-
lutely no difference in the awarding of
the prizes whether dream was SUBJ
mitted the first or the last week of the
contest. AT the time the special deliv-
cry letters were received the page ap-
pearlng today had been made up and
selections were being made for next
Sunday. This misunderstanding caused
several to write their dreams hurfiedly
and some contributions that contained
the germs of good story were rejected
: because the writers had not told their
experiences graphically and convinc-
ingly.
With a little more time and care they
would probably have produced very
interesting description of their expe-
rience- The first announcement stated
hot n
secondary consideration. but it must be
understood that good dream, like
good story. may be lost in the telling,
whether it be written or spoken.
More Than One Chance.
There is no limit put upon con-
testants in regard to the number
OF dreams that each and every
person may submit. If anyone
thinks Of better dream after making
cne contribution it is entirely permis-
s;ble to send it in ard let it take its
chance OF securing the first prize with
the other The only rule governing
plural contributions is that a person
who has won one prize is not eligible
for second II one person should send
ether in the contest he could receive but
one prize and the other three dreams
would be rejected.
There are some minor points that de-
serve attention. First and most i'm
portant among these is the "One side of
the paper rule The Dream Editor can
not send manuscript TO the composing
room that is written on both sides of a
sileet of paper. in several cases where
dreams have been written on ordinary
letter paper and the four pages com
pleteIy filed with writing, ii has been
necessary TO re-write the story in the
office. When one page is filed, do not
torn it over and write on the other side,
but take new sheet and continue the
narrative.
Remember the Editor"
I; Is also desirable TO have the manu-
scripts well written The editor does
not expect everyone to use a typewriter.
but he is only reasonably expert IN de-
cipherirg original and charact eristfc
writing ard does not like 10 guess the
meaning OF certain symbols. In the case
of names that figure in the story 1t is
particularly desirable TO exercise care In
forming the letters.
The contest will be continued until
further notice is given. and the dreams
that come in during the next few weeks
have just us much chance for the prizes
as those that came in the first day.