Evening star., 1924-08-19
WELCOME IS GIVEN
SHORTHAND" MEN
Association Also Listens to
Presidents Address, Out
| lining History Of Body. e.

A formal welcome to Washington
extended by Assistant Engineer Com
missioner Maj. Wheeler, and an ad-
dress by Frederick H. Gurtler. presi-
dent of the National Shorthand Re-
porters' Association. featured the
opening Of the second days conven-
tion of that organization in Ward
man Park Hotel today.
Immediately following Maj. Wheel
er's address, a reply was made on be-
half of the association by George B.
Lockwood. veteran shorthand re-
porter, editor of the National Repub-
llcan and former secretary Of the
Republican national committee.
Mr.. GurtIer's Address.
Mr.. Gurtler began by recalling that
the association was 25 years old at
the opening of the convention here
and told Of the important part that
shorthand reporters play in taking
down public addresses and in keep
ing court and other records which
only their skill at shorthand permits.
He stressed the educational value of
the work done by the reporters.
The remainder of the program for
the morning included reports by the
secretary, A. c. Cav: by the treas
urer, w. A. ]. Warnement: by the
chairman of the library committee.
Charles F. Roberts; committee of
affiliation. R T. Russ: demonstra ton
committee, George j. Drobnis: men,
berShip committee, Herman n. Pugh
and report by the chairman of the
committee of arrangements for the
convention here, made by Herman III.
Pechin.
Members Honor Fred Irland.
This afternoon members of the as
sociation will attend the unveiling of
a statue to Fred Irland. for many
years dean of shorthand reporters in
the House of Representatives. The
unveilins and dedication ceremonies
will be held in Fort Lincoln cemetery.
Included in the program for the
afternoon will be memorial exercises
for Robert Taylor, DR.. William
Whiteford, A. w. Bowman and Je-
rome B. Howard. all veteran re-
porters who have died. Herman H.
Pechin will be chairman of the un-
yelling of the statue in Fort Lincoln
Cemetery.
Get.TOgethcr Program.
Recitations. singing and dancing
featured a get-together meeting at
Wardman Park Hotel last night. Her
bert Dore, who. it is said. has been
reporting the Franks murder trial
was chairman of the entertainment
features and himself rendered sew
eral vocal solos and recitations
Others taking part in the program
were: Henry S. Sanders of New
York, Lafayette Temple of Baltimore
Md: Mrs. Herbert Dore and White
field Samis. Many shorthand re-
porterS, it was pointed out, mak>
more money as entertainers at ban
QuetS than they do at covering them
In their official capacity as reporters
Interest in Speed Test.
The shorthand speed contest which
was held yesterday was much dis
cuSsed and there was much specu-
lation as to the possible winner by
members Of the association last night
The present holder of the cup for
having made the best record at the
last convention is Charles l.. Sven
formerly of this city and private sec
retary to President Wilson. Nathan
Behrin. who has won several of the
contests but was absent from the
one last year. was one of the compel
itors yesterday. There were also
many other speed artists" competing
In establishing past records the
participants took dictation at the
rate of 280 words a minute with only
several small mistakes such as using
abbreviations or leaving out the word
the IN several places.