The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-11
PHONETIC SPELLING DOOMED.
THAT rs. AS FAR As CONGRESS-
rs CONCERNED.

The Committee on Printing Agrees 10 Re-
port q Resolution Compelling the Use
Of the Old Style in All Documents
The subject Discussed In the House.
WASHINGTON. Dec. IO.--Simplifed spell
ing for use by Congress is doomed, regard
less Of whether or not the provision for the
old form is allo we'd to remain in the Legis-
lative Appropriation bill. which is now
before the House. The Joint Committee
on Printing. Of which Senator Platt is the
Senate chairman and Representative c. p.
Lands the House chairman, has taken
up the matter and will act in case the pro-
vision in the Legislative bill is ruled out
on a poin. o. order, TO which it is said to be
subject when this matter is reached in the
bill.
The Printing Committee has reached an
agreement to report to the House n resolu-
ton providing for the Use Of the old style
spelling in all documents, bills and other
publications authorized by law. As the
sentiment OF both houses OF Congress is
decidedly in favor Of Noah Webster's way
Of spelling. there is no doubt that such a
measure will pass.
Such n resolution would require hat
the printing of the Presidents message
as we'll as all other executive and depart
ment documents should be in the old style.
The President might send his message to
the printer in simplihed spelling, but under
such a law the Public Printer would have
to break the rule Of following copy and
follow the law.
The subject OF simplihed spelling was
discussed at some length in the House
to-day, but no decision was reached as to
whether the provision requiring the old form
OF spelling should remain in the bill.
Gen. Bingham Of Pennsylvania set the ball
rolling in his remarks presenting the Legis-
lative, Executive and Judiciary Approrria-
ton bill to the committee Of the whole
by reading the provision that Congressional
printing should be in accordance with the
dictionaries. He added:
The printing Of the Supreme Court con-
tinues to be lone according to the old style
of spelling, the court having given no in
structions to use the simpIaed form. We
want, so far as the Legislative branch is
concerned, that there should be consistency
In our printing"
Mr.. Livingston of Georgia, leader Of the
minority of the Committee OF Appropria-
tons, said that if the proposed changes Of
spelling were approved it would mean the
entire reprintinG Of all school books at an
expense that could not be foretold.
Mr.. Gillett of Massachusetts,, whose OPP
position TO the action Of the committee,
1t was reported, caused a delay Of three
hours in reporting the bill last Friday,
said.
1T is a fact I do believe in a eimplif-
cation of our spelling. lam not particularly
intense in that opinion. Personally, should
have been willing that il should 60 on as
IL as been going for many years by the con-
stauL practice Of the pubic, publishers and
newspapers, but 1t seems 70 ME exceed
ingly desirable that progress should
continue, because the English language
is gradually becoming the commercial
language Of the RloLe."
Mr.. Gillett confessed, however, that
thru" did not appeal to him. Il cannot
see why it was Inserted he said.
How long would 1t tahe to modify the
English language at the rate Of 300 words d
year," asked Mr.. Clark of Missouri
"IdCn't know. Mr.. Gillett replied.
Mr.. Clark-It would take 400 years.
Mr.. Gillett-Al the words Go not need
modification.
as these 800. II you are going into this
~remodelling business why not go the whole
hog and take the phonetic system that has
forty-four letters in IL and abolish the stunt
of learning 10 spell az all?
Further along, responding to questions
by several members Mr.. Gillett expressed
the opinion that the President has the
same right that We all have to spell as he
pleases.'
The discussion occupied two hours, and
il was followed by n speech from Mr.. Macon
Of Arkansas in favor of his bill 10 prohibit
interstate buying or selling or otherwise
dealing in futures in agricultural products.
At 3:05, no one else desiring 70 speak, the
rOVop niffaa rCka aud Tho HnncA ahIn1TnaA