Evening journal., 1922-05-03
Life in Far-OW Burma

arc IN most instances OF the Dunga-
low style, large and airy. Windows
and doors are numerous. with Vene-
tians taking the place of glass. Con-
sequently, the whole year round is
open house, especially for insects and
living creatures.
AT first one is annoyed by the
sight OF the many insects about the
house, but, being an element that
must be endured, they in time seem
a part OF the decorations, except at
meal time.
THE present time / am on vaca-
tion at Insein, nine miles from Ran
| COON. All water is carried from the
well across the road, and kept in
huge earthen Jars. Bath and toilet
facilities are necessarily OF a past
age in the light OF America thought.
Kerosene and gasoline lamps are the
means OF lighting.
Should the weather get unbear-
ably hot. there is a punkah. or fan,
that resembles a six-fot strip of
mating tackled to n three-by-three
post and suspended from the ceiling.
This is swayed back and forth and
creates a good breeze.
However. thus far the weather4
has been quite acceptable. October |
was a sweltering month, being the
close of the rainy season. The Their
mometer rises from 20 at a. m. TO |
9S at p. m, and the assurance is
given that before the season is over
100 degrees will be reached fire. |
quently. The rainy season usually
begins the latter part OF May and
continues until the first Of Novem-
Der.
"A large variety OF vegetables and
fruit is found here in the markets. |
Many OF the home vegetables are to
be had as we'll as several kinds of
fruit. Strawberries have been in
season for a month at prices vary-i
ing from 16 TO 80 cents a pound. To-
matoes have been obtainable ever
since my arrival in September. |
Caulifiower and beets are other Eu-
ropean vegetables that are plenti-
full.
AS to my place OF employment
the American Baptist Mission Press
that is an establishment far ex-
ceeding my expectations and hopes.
IL occupies a place peculiarly its
own in the East. especially among
the printers and publishers. Through
the aggressiveness of r. D. Phin-
ney. who for forty years has been the
superintendent. the Press has kept
far in advance of all competitors
. ]
date equipment and the adaptation
Of them TO local needs.
Here the linotype was first used
In Burma; and now our battery in
cludes six linotypes and one inter
-ype. In the linotype field the Mis- d,
sion Press is far ahead OF all other
indian printers in that the vernacu- !,
lar languages have been applied :
rwo machines are supplied with q
Burmese characters and two others r
with Sgaw Karen characters. de- :
igns for which are the product Of
he Press superintendent. The mag r
litude OF these accomplishments :
nay be better realized through the Y
tatement that these languages con- (
aimed approximately five hundred #
characters. Three hundred and sixty a
ire run in the regular channels of
L two-magazine machine and the :
other less-used characters are car
ried on the 'pie-board.'
THE report of the past year shows
the publication of eighty-two titles
In twelve different languages. Nearly
a score Of monthly and bi-monthly
publications, in five languages are
issued. These two items constitute
he bulk of the religious publication.
not including a vast commercial
business that totalled over 10000
Jobs for the year
THE plant is well nigh complete,
having in addition to the usual COM
posing. press and bindery equipment,
hree type-casting machines. a COM
position roller caster and complete
itereo outfit
Personally, have the supervision
" the composing room with a force
" sixty-five workmen who represent
even different languages. Far be it
rom me to attempt the mastery Of
uch polyglot. though upon the ac-
Iuisition of Burmese and Hindu
tani will be enabled to converse
With the force to a certain degree.
"And I may take this opportunity
Z branding as a lie many accounts
n American papers concerning the
olitical conditions in India and
tating the dangers to American
Undoubtedly such are
he work OF Indian agitators for not :
My are the reports considerably in =
ated. but the missionaries have the
reatest faith in the power of the 4
and the friendship of r,
ne natives as we'll l.
Mrs. Journey and Baby Wallace n
re with me enjoying good health ~
nd are happy in this far-off land
hey unite in sending the best OF
.ishes to our friends at The Evening
ournal and its readers.
Every sincerely yours.
"ROBT. J. JOURNEY" II