The Washington herald., 1910-03-27

Writer Magazine. which Mr. James pub
fishes, donated "A silver cup. which was
contested for for the first time al Lake
George. \. Y. last summer. and was
won by Willard b. BottOme. Of New
York City. With a net speed OF 262
words a minute. \ graduate OF success
Shorthand school, under Mr. James d.
rection. who learned his course by cor
respondence. contested with old-tims
court reporters and secured second place
in the contest. with a net speed of "a
words a minute on the fastest dictation.
Another graduate Of Mr. James CORE
spondence instruction secured third place.
The contest held Saturday speaks for
itself II does not however, tell the
story. which illustrates that history re-
peats itself in the advancement of short
hand. as we'll as il has repeated itself
in the elements which have tended 10
degrade shorthand. for speed contests
demonstrate the practicability Of the in
struction which Isaac Pitman gave in
1851 Al that time. being required 10
white the wood cuts which illustrated
the primitive rules OF Pitman's phonogra-
ply. he spread a knowledge OF his sys-
TEN throughout Great Britain, which re-
suited in his being accorded a low rate
Of postage in England. aud later secured
for him a knighth0od from Queen Vic
toria.
Same Methods Used.
The very same method OF instruction
which he gave then is the instruction
which is now being given under the d.
rection Of practical shorthand reporters
under the direction Of William I. James,
of Chicago-illustrated by the highest art
of printing and engraving. the same rules
Of shorthand which have been simplified
and modified by almost q century OF Inn
proyement This method enables the stu
dents of shorthand in remote sections OF
the country TO keep in close touch with
the improvements which are made in the
art at the practical shorthand reporter S
table
Graduates of such instruction hold i'm
portant positions in Washington. Two OF
them are reporters IN the Court Of Claims.
Another is private secretary to the Post
master General. another secretary to
Senator Perkins Of California; still an
other secretary to Senator Du Pont, OF
Delaware. Others, too numerous TO men,
ton. are secretaries TO Congressman. civil
service employees. in the War Depart
nent, the Treasury Department. Post
Office Department-men and women sit
uated as Mr.. George Cortelyou was but a
few years ago.
Others are advancing from stenographiC
positions into other departments CT serv-
ice, and practical shorthand reporter,
throughout the entire country are taking
advantage of this method Of instruction
as post graduate course in the higher
branches OF shorthand.
II is not realized By many persons
that there are more than half a million
stenegraphers in the United States, anC
educational institutions often fail to ap.
preeiate that while bookkeepers. ofhc,
men. craftsmen, accountants, etc, are
recognized as important factors in tn,
commercial world. yet there is no position
Of greater responsibility, involving tn,
reposal Of more confidence. or. requiring
greater skill. than that Of the stenog
rapher. Yet we know so little Of short
hand that many persons still regard It a,
a mysterious art. almost akin TO witch
craft
Few men. indeed can read intelngibl,