The daily Alaskan., 1921-05-26
The Case" Has Proved Poor Mans University to Many
 Who Wandered Far.

every position in life, observes a writer in the Christian Science Mon itor.5
 Where is the old-fashioned print CT? With his disappearance, the world loses a type of worker who from Ben Franklin on has furnished the country with men who have made their influence felt, not only as master printers and master jour nalists, but who, through the liberal education and ideas acquired in their training. have syelled the ranks of the learned professions and become actors, ministers, authors, humOrists and leaders in various lines.
 The first and most important class was composed of the elect; the we'll born and wcll-bred; the ambitious young man who desired a higher ed ucation. and who entered a printing office with the intention of learning the business thoroughly and fitting himself for a position of importance. The printing office was the poor mans university, and highly esteem ed as such.
 A newspaper office was the natur- al forum and gathering place for all the brightest thinkers and of men in the public eye.
 Printers and Writers.
 To a now almost extinct class of American printers belonged such shining lights as Bayard Taylor, Bret Harte. Artemus Ward, William pean Howells. Ben Shillabar, Opie Read, Charles B. Lewis and a whole galaxy of good men and good printers. That the system of becoming printers and writers through the fingers" was a splendid one. the mere recital of these few names among many, is evil dence.
 It was natural for men of this stamp to seek to enlarge their knowl- edge by travelling about the country while th% worked at their chosen calling. studying types, gathering To- cal color and satisfying their desire strange places to see"
 Travelling in those days was not as easy and universal as now. Print CTS travelled afoot when there was anything to see, hear or learn there by. They patronized the railroads when that best served their turn. They were respected and respecta- ble. they paid their way. and if they were not wealthy-why, nobody else was. either. When they had absorb ed the atmosphere or sights of one place they took the next in which they were interested. They were in no sense tramp printers" as most people understand the term. When the travelling printer of this first class found his niche he settled down and filled it.
 Bayard Tayl0r's WanderinGs
 IL was in this manner that Bayard TaysOl. the famous author, traveller, and diplomat. covered the United States and Europe. A more polished gentleman and more graceful writ CT and poet it would be hard to find in this day. and that his Views Afoot" were acquired vhiie continu- ing work as printer added rather than detracted from their value.
 Most of the old-time printers were writers as well. They graYt!ated nat urally into the writing profession. Not infreQuency, too, newspaper men and the humorists who conduct ed or contributed columns of humor. set much oc this matter ''r'S.'t outer .ncir ,c- |, at the caSa. It seemed tt one |. g as though every good NmrricaE hHmcrist had | ,ep tray clims printer at one time or aToth.~
 Ben Sh'.iib bars Mrs. partinCtOn and Ike made their debut in the col umns of the Boston Post Artemus Ward hiked all the way from Port land, Me, to Boston and then by easy stages to Cleveland. O. F,a Route he studied human nature, gathered local color. making the acquaintance of theatrical and circus people of every type. gradually visualizins in his own imagination that snowman through | whose mouth the later launched him. self into fame. The idea which he acquired as a travelling printer came to fruition while he was on the Plain | '.ealer of Cleveland
 Speedy Texas Jack"
 Texas JaCG was another aristo. Ciat of printAdpM who elected to |