The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-10-15
THE ART OF RULING
By KAL

When asked to write an article on
the art of ruling [ hesitated, because
Of the fact that to 81 per cent. Of
my fellow men here, it would be all
Greek. Personally, l know that
MARY people even on the outside,
do not know that a machine of this
kind exists. That being the case,
advise you not 10 read this article,
but to skip to something more along
the line of baseba dope.
Next to a woman, the hardest
problem to solve is a ruling ruach-
inc; aud only the man who operates
ruling machine in the outside
world knows that even though he
receives excellent wages tor this
work. he surely earns his wage l
do not believe that there ever was
machine invented which could try
mans patience as this same mach
inc. Patience of SAINT, steady
nerves, good eye-sight. quickuess of
mind and hand are just few of the
requirements ruler must possess,
If be desires to master this art.
When it is considered that he
runs 1 aud colors to a form and
applies them with a brush Constant
ly and evenly. aud watches from
30 10 ESQ pins at setting, it can be
readily understood that a ruler is
subject to a severe strain, while the
machine is in motion.
The greatest care must be exer-
cised in setting his pens SO as to
work properly. A pen which rides
on heel or toe, or twist. will not
feed, and single pen in a position
just mentioned can spoil a whole
job; and if near an upper cord,
which holds the paper in position as
it passes through the machine is
not easily detected.
Uniform work requires cool eye
sight; no two pens produce the same
kind of a line. The ruler must
pinch and open and bring his lines
as near alike as possible. Quite
frequently pens have tendency not
to allow the ink to flow properly;
and in case of this kind, nine
chances out of ten they are off
their feet" or ride on heel or toe.
Many rulers use OK gall to insure a
proper flow; but l have found it I'M
necessary except on manila card
board. On striking or on down-lin-
ing which rulers consider the most
difficult work, and especially where
anumber of triple and divisions are
made in two different colors. Struck
from the head is considered the
most tedious.
Suggestions from time to time
have been made by rulers to prevent
colors from mixing when striking
Triples, but l have no remedy ex-
cept an absolute and even bearing,
and careful application of ink. Even
with utmost care, l have never been
able to completely avoid this. Be-
fore completing the work | would
have few sheets ruined.
Having just completed a fifteen
hundred loose-leaf flop with triple
division. a suggestion from some
ruler or advice, such as use oil or
talow," would be promptly met
wilh-go to h..
In duplicating work W hlc h
has been done by outside firms. |
have studied the other rulers work
and made comparison with both the
ruling and printing, aud | have no
desire to pat myself on the back.
For do | want to criticise the work
performed bv outside rulers. But
after comparison, | found it lacked
finish, over. balanced, feints very
poor, doubles too far apart and the
the head too prominent. So | am
under the impression that the ruler
who done this work slapped it thru.
1t is needless for me to say that,
for all-around work, the Mirror Of
flee can compete with any of them.
The dope | could construct on this
subject would ELL book; but suffice
it to say, that if you value peace and
tranquility. never be a Ruler.