The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-03-25
CARNEGIE PLEADS
 FOR EASY SPELLING
Considers Work to Improve the
 Language Important
TWELVE WORDS AGREED ON
Some Editors of Today Denounce Changes Who Themselves VIII Be Denounced Century From Now
 for Their Attitude.

Hot Springs, Va, March A.-Andrew Carnegie made statement today giving his views on the proposed reform of En- glish spelling. He said:
 ''From Chaucers' time and before till now our language has been constantly changing and improving, not under any rule or system. but simply as occasion has required new words and new spelling.
 'eThe great Oxford dictionary now un- der publication gives the history of each word, and shows that words creep into our language in the most haphazard man ner. A new word expresses a new want, Or an old want, better than the word in use did and so forces itself into use. What Is slang one year is correct En- glish a few years later. Thus is our lam guage enriched.
 "The organized effort I have agreed to finance is not revolutionary-far from it. It's action will be conservative. Word after word it will endeavor to improve the spelling and language; slowly, of course but hastening the pace if possible.
 History Is Repeated.
 '"The editors who are disposed to ridi- cule the effort themselves use words, and especially spelling, which their prede- cessors of a century ago would have de- nounced as degrading to literature. The editors of the next century will in turn marvel at the uncouth spelling of our present scribes.
 Since our language has been con- structed through unceasing change, lit de nd new spelling with favoring eye, since 1t Is by these alone that further improve ment can come Scholars denounced blow for plough, for instance. But blow has been accepted So with many words that will readily occur to readers.
 "Our language is likely to prevail In the world. and we may hope 1t is to be- come finally the universal language. The foreigners have the greatest difficulty in acquiring it because of it's spelling. This is. at least, it's chief obstacle. for it's grammar is easy.
 Agree on Twelve Words.
 Hundreds of scholarly men have agreed to use the improved spelling for twelve words. These words are well started in actual ause. Other simplifica- tions will be suggested. If meritorious they will be accepted.
 ''Teachers have assured me that chill dren would be saved more than years instruction if our spelling were simplified.
 'Why the perverse 'ough spellings should be continued one cannot under stand. Why not write tho? It expresses exactly the same sense as though, and expresses the sound better. Indeed. tho. with the superfuous apostrophe, abounds in British authors from Addison down. We just drop the apostrophe. That tho will get into general use soon is certain.
 ''If he is a benefactor who makes two blades of grass to grow where one grew before, he is no less a benefactor who plants a shorter and simpler spelled word where a longer and irregularly spelled word encountered the ground before. I hope that thoughtful people will give this important and conservative reform due consideration and resolve to use at least two Or three simplified words and thus range themselves with us in our effort to carry on the unceasing work of improv- ing our mother tongue, and adapting 1t for its noble purposes and high destiny"