Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-30
EVENING LEDGER'S
DTCTOGRAPH FEAT
WINS APPLAUSE
Public Amazed by Instan-
taneous Report of Presi-
\ dents Speech
nEcLARED REAL TRIUMPH
Ad Men and Other Visitors and
Philadelphians Comment
With Enthusiasm

president Wilson's words were hardly ut.
tered yesterday before they were being set
N type,
AS distinctly as the reporters who sat In
sront of him could hear, so could the
rtenographers in the EVENING LEDGER
oT,ce, for the Presidents words were being
carried over the wire of the dictograph
right into the fourth floor rooms Of the
LEDGER offices.
Atereat deal of the credit for the triumph
81 what was practically instantaneous re-
norting is due the General Acoustic Com
pany, of New York, which installed the
Photograph.
we're made shortly before noon yesterday,
and Joseph Stern chief installer for the
company, with Philadelphia offices at 1908
commonwealth Building, had everything
ready long before the President arrived.
Teas we're made by several men, and the
ease with which they were heard in the
EVENING LEDGER office gave certain as
s,irance that when the President spoke his
finely modulated voice and perfect enuncia-
ton would carry as easily into the editorial
room as 1t would to the reporters mmedi-
ately below him.
This was borne out in fact The advertis-
ing mon were full of praise for the enter
prise with which the EVENING LEDGER
handled the coming OF President Wilson
They said it was right in keeping with the
progressive spirit of the convention Many
were amazed.
VERY, VERY WONDERFUL"
w W. Crlbben. of the San Francisco
Chronicle and president of the Pacific Coast
Advertising Association, praised the dicto.
graph service. Mr.. Cribben who inspected
the Ledger buildings and saw the dlcto.
graph in use exclaimed, Very, very won.
derful This Is a most extraordinary stunt
The idea is 100 per cent. good The EvEsr
mo LEDGER has my congratulations"
Many of the convention delegates whu
had heard the Presidents address were
greeted with EVENING LEDGERs containing
his speech as they entered the obbies of
their hotels few minutes after the closing
Of the exercises in Independence Square
One of the most surprised readers was
Brom Ridley business manager of the New
Orleans Daily News When he learned of
the success of the dictograph as reporter,
he said, THAT was a splendid thought. I'll
remember 1t for future use. l am impressed
with the progressiveness of the EVENING
LEDGER"
ENGLISH VISITOR PLEASED.
Leo Scheff, special commissioner of the
London Graphic, an illustrated weekly,
when told of the new method of news
American efficiency,
Robert S. Coryell president of the To-
fonto Advertising Club and William Mix.
III tall delegate from El Paso, Texas.
both expressed their approval of the rapid
service.
Henry J. Fries, representing the Erie
Evening Times, said: 1T was great work
/ got your paper as I was leaving the
Square and the speed and accuracy amazed
me-
Daniel NJ. Chamblss, president of the
Knoxville (Tenn.) Advertising Club, said
before his departure today:
THE use of the dctograph by the EVEN
ING LEDGER in reporting President Wilson's
address was an instance of remarkable en-
terprlse, 1t has established a new precedent
In speed for the reporting of speeches OF
big men. believe that it will have tre-
mendous influence on the newspaper world
THE dictograph incident did not sur
prise me much, however, for 1t was to be
expected from newspaper of the EVENING
LEDGER'S enterprise The manner in which
this newspaper handled the convention,
from start to finish, was cause of wonder
ment, even the part of delegates who
are familiar with the speed of modern
newspapers"
]. L. Bowles, secretary of the Knoxville
Club, was also enthusiastic in his praise
OF the idea and the way 1t was carried
out.
"a mastery achievement and one worthy
Of praise" said Charles j. Weer, of the
Anderson Herald.
at marks new epoch In daily journal
ism and worthy of what l have noticed
about the EVENING LEDGER" said r. Lynn
Baker, of Shreveport, La.
"It was truly a splendid thing to do and
real tribute to the ad men themselves"
said Frank j. McGrann. of the Guaranty
Trust Company. New York city.
"A fact characteristic of one of the coun-
try's progressive newspapers-one bound to
bring results" was the comment Of John
u Ebaugh, business manager of the New
Orleans Picayune.
'Thats a record breaker" declared
number of the ad men from Virginia.
THAT denies all the dope we've heard
about Philly being slow" said those from
Cincinnati
Having the news served out while you
walt is a good ldea,H declared the adsters
from st. Louis
The transmitter and the wires strung
Tfom 1t attracted considerable attention In
Independence Square.
Many were OF the opinion that II was
long-distance telephone, so that the Presi-
dent could keep in touch with the situation
IN Washington while he was talking TO the
ad men at Libertys Shrine.
Others OF the wise sort said 1t was new
invention so that the Cabinet in Washing
ton could hear the President speak. no mat
ter where he went.
On being informed that II was simply
new system of getting news right Off the reel
Z there was general amazement
In the ordinary rule in reporting such an
occasion the men who do the work polish
up where they are unable to get the com
plete remark and trust to their faithful re-
production of the idea to do justice to the
text In this case. though, that did not
happen.
The EVENING LEDGER story, as put to-
kether through the aid Of the dietogFaph,
was faithful down to the last comma just
IS the President said IT,
FETE SKETCHES WIN PRIZES