The Coconino sun., 1923-01-05
BETTER ''PLACE in THE
SUN" FOR PRINTING


printing ranks fifth among the indus
tries of the United States and in
point of Importance to civilization it
certainly is second to none, yet only
a very imperfect and inadequate con-
ception Of the greatness of our indus
try resides in the public mind By
millions of poorly informed people
printing is simply taken for grant
ed' without any thought of the art
and science required in producing it
or of its power as a factor in the
worlds progress. Since thesinvention
of movable types printing has been
one of the most impelling forces in
nankind's advancement. As a means
for transmission of thought and in
formation the printed word complete
ly ecHpses the spoken word. Printing
is the art preservative of all arts,
sciences and knowledge. No calling
on earth has a more majestic mis-
sion. Yet its rating is relatively un-
important In the false measure Of
popular appreciation.
The lack of public enlightenment
concerning printing is reflected in the
attitude of young people toward print
ing as profession and business.
Untouched by the artistic, educational
and expressional appeal of printing,
unaware of printing's superb chal-
lenge to ingenuity, intelligence and
resourcefulness, ignorant of the ex-
cellent financial rewards awaiting
highly proficient printers, the youth
of today after graduation from high
school drifts into some clerical, semi
skilled or purely mechanical job. He
finds himself in crowded class where
competition is always intense and
wages are low because of the over
supply of workers. Many a keenly
intelligent lad chucks himself into one
of those ruts of deadly routine where
even the best can not command large
salaries He does not know that the
printing industry needs him and holds
forth tempting opportunities to him.
He does not know, for instance, that
while experienced stenographers are
earning from SIS to $50 a week, a
fair linotype or monotype operator
with the same amount of energy can
earn at least that much at the outset
and by increasing his skill can easily
advance to twice that much Or he I
may entertain a misguided prejudice
against printing because of certain
Bohemian traditions descended from
the days that are gone forever.
Meanwhile the employing printer
who has put his money into a fine I
plant with a wonderful equipment of (
type and modern machinery realizes
that his equipment is useless unless it
be manipulated by properly trained
of more than average educa-
ton and intelligence. And he may be
puzzled that the highly remunerative
positions in his plant are not more
eagerly sought by promising young
men. For the printing industry needs
10 be revitalized with the new blood
of youth.
Such is the problem, and the solu-
ion is education. Printers have been
20 busy creating markets, populariz-
ng products, disseminating all man
Ter of intelligence and making for
.unes for other people, that their own
have gone begging. The in
lustry needs to use its own medicine
n liberal doses as a powerful inffu-
ence upon the public mind. We need
he printed work in million multiples
o engender new respect from with
'ut and a new self-respect within our
'anks, to place printing on higher /
,lane than it has occupied heretofore.
Ne need publicity to popularize the
inc training schools of printing which
With ample attendance, can infuse new
ife in the industry. We need educa-
ional advertising to point the possi-
,ilities of printing as a profession to ,
he youth of the land. We need an
flow of printers ink de-
'oted to the interests of printing, that
he industry may find a better "place
n the SUM- of public appreciation.-l ,,
Primers Bulletin.