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No. 19 copy book.-Would-be Secretary, R. E., and J. E. D. should also model their handwriting on No. 19.

MISCELLANEOUS.-Heep is informed that the late Robert Ingersoll was an American orator, but we are unable to refer our correspondent to any published edition of his speeches.-N. H. should obtain "Guide to English Composition," by Rev. J. H. Bacon (Pitman, Is.).-B. M. will find what he requires in "Office Work in Shorthand," which contains specimens of legal work commonly dictated to shorthand clerks, it is printed in the Reporting Style (Pitman, Is.), with "Key" in ordinary print (price 6d.). There are no books of the description B. F. mentions.Phonoite should take up the study of Pitman's Shorthand with the Twentieth Century "Instructor" and "Key"; he could not complete the mastery of the system properly with the books he has.We do not know of any single book which deals with arithmetic and algebra; we have forwarded Brading a copy of our catalogue, from which he could select a work suitable to his requirements.In order to secure euphony A. G. L. should say "I dined at an hotel." The aspirate is sounded in the word "hotel."-G. J. would do well to continue the study of shorthand with the Instructor; he should, if possible, obtain evening class instruction in English grammar and composition and book-keeping, and if he made himself fairly proficient would be qualified for a position; with a little additional practice his writing would be quite satisfactory. Would-be Secretary will find all the information he desires in "The Secretary's Manual on the Law and Practice of Joint Stock Companies," published by Jordan and Sons, Ltd., 120 Chancery lane, London, W.C. (price 5s. net, or by post 5s. 6d.). -D. T. should obtain "Pitman's Popular Guide to Journalism" (price is. 6d.), in which he will find full guidance on how to become a reporter.-Many answers are unavoidably held over.

PITMAN'S SHORTHAND CERTIFICATES. The following Certificates are issued :—

THIRD CLASS OR ELEMENTARY CERTIFICATE, for thorough knowledge of the "Phonographic Teacher "; "Shorthand Primer, Book I."; or 20th Cent. 'Manual" " or Instructor," as far as Chap. xvii. Fee 6d. Every student after having worked through the "Teacher" is recommended to test his knowledge by applying for this Certificate. SECOND CLASS OR THEORY CERTIFICATE, for a thorough know. ledge of the 20th Cent. "Manual"; or "Instructor," Chaps. 1-xxvi. ; or "Shorthand Primer, Book II." Fee 2s. FIRST CLASS OR SPEED CERTIFICATE. Speed Certificates are granted for 60 words per minute and upwards. Fee is. 6d. FULL CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY.-When a Second Class Certificate and a First Class Certificate for 80 words have been obtained, a Full Certificate is issued, certifying that the holder has a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of Phonography. Fee Is.

Forms of Application for the above Certificates, containing full particulars, can be had gratis and post-free from any of the Offices of Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, Ltd.

NOTICES.

Each Notice should be written on one side only of a separate piece of paper. Every Notice under the head of Correspondence must give full name and address.

Correspondents are requested to write their address clearly in ordinary longhand. If they wish to receive replies in Phonography, a star should be attached to the name; thus, John Smith.*

Notices of all kinds must reach Bath at least eleven days before the date of the Journal for which they are intended.

Every communication addressed to the Editor of this Journal must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer.

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Correspondence, etc. id. per line of ten words.

Paris. A French lady, Parisian, diplomée, would like to give French lessons to an English phonographer living in Paris or in the neighbourhood, in exchange for advanced shorthand, or mutual speed practice either in French or in English. Pitman's system. Mademoiselle Pape, 19 Rue de Rocroy, Paris.

Advertiser (German lady) desires to correspond with French lady, and would correct German letters for like service in French. Liesel Binz, Dudley House, Richmond rd., West Kensington Park, London, W. [33] Correspondence invited, in Corresponding Style, Pitman's Shorthand. David Pountney, 4 Nicholas st., St Peter's rd., London, E. [32]

Harold Allen would be pleased to correspond with phonographers in Australasia, Japan, Chita, Ceylon, Canada and America. Address 355 Ropery rd., Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England.

Correspondence desired in Corresponding Style with phonographers all over the world. Herbert E. Power, Tunapuna, Trinidad, B.W.I. [32] Post cards, pictorial exchanged (Tuck's £2,000 competition). Prompt replies. Fred Bean, 164 Loughboro' Park, Brixton, London, S. W. [33] Used pictorial post cards. Breaking collection. Every card different. What offers for lots of twelve or fifty? Wright, Spread Eagle, King's Lynn.

Pictorial post cards.-Correspondence desired (longband or shorthand,. John E. Stokes (Beira and Mashonaland Railways), Umtali, Mashonaland, Rhodesia, Africa.

351

Pictorial post card correspondence desired, shorthand or longhand. Views preferred. Replies to all. W. Griffiths, 10 Benson row, Penrith, Cumberland.

Associations. 1d. per line of ten words.

Phonetic Shorthand Writers' Association (London District I.P.S.). The Arcadian Restaurant, 8 Queen st., Cheapside.-The principal Shorthand Association in the kingdom. Meetings held every Thursday evening from 7 to 10. Regular speed practice conducted at various rates by experienced phonographers. Lectures by well-known shorthand writers; discussions, etc. Speed examinations held periodically. Centre for Society of Arts shorthand examination and for Pitman's medal competitions. (Members sit at these examinations and at the I.P.S. Teacher's Exam. at reduced fees.) Shorthand library and other advantages. Fees, including speed practice, 10s 6d per annum or 38 per quarter. All phonographers (ladies or gentlemen) are eligible for membership. Prospectus, with full particulars, on application to Secretary, H. J. Cork, 2 Reedholm road, Stoke Newington, London, N. [34]

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An evercirculator is a manuscript phonographic magazine, consisting of articles written by the individual members, one member acting as conductor. The book passes round, and each round members contribute an article and remarks, or take part in the discussion. A leaflet containing further particulars forwarded from the Phonetic Institute, Bath, on receipt of id stamp.

Evercirculator paper in three varieties, of superior quality, five quires Is 6d; headings and title-pages, 3d per doz.; covers, cloth is, leather is 6d. Samples for id. Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd. [x]

Army and Navy Evercirculator.-Now commencing, specially for soldier and sailor phonographers at home or abroad, but other ladies and gentlemen invited to join. General subjects, discussions, photography. Subscription, Is 6d per annum. Address, F. Crookes, The Hollies, Hazel Grove, Cheshire.

Members wanted for the Dublin Phonographer Evercirculator (No. 2). Articles, discussions, correction list, etc. Particulars stamp from Harry B. Stephenson, 1 Florence st., Dublin. [32]

Educational Evercirculator.-Advertiser desires to form an evercirculator devoted to subjects of interest to elementary school teachers. Particulars stamp. Mr J. W. Thomas, 78 Commercial rd, Abercarne, Newport, Mon. 1331

The best Library is the Telegraph, established ten years, circulating all the magazines, including Australian magazine; quarterly subscription, Is 3d; always vacancies, particulars stamp. Conductor, J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London. (33)

The 20th Century Commercial Library, over 160 books available for the use of members. Shorthand, typewriting, French, German, Spanish, and commercial books, together with copies of all English and foreign shorthand magazines. Subscription one penny per week. Splendid opportunity of studying large selections of works at a small cost. Full particulars for stamp. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S.E. 133]

Second-hand Books, Shorthand or Phonetic. for Sale, or Exchange, or Wanted, id. per line of ten words; Miscellaneous Books, 3d. per line. Wanted, copies of Parody's Spanish Phonography, and the following vols, of the Phonetic Journal-1871, 1872, and 1886; Pitman's Shorthand Weekly, vols. 3, 4, 6, and 7. Address, Isaac Pitman and Sons, 31 Unior. square, New York, U.S.A. [39]

Collection of 550 different stamps for sale, including 200 British. Catalogued at over fifteen shillings. Best offer accepted. Address Bertie Sparling, 48 Tower st, Brightlingsea, Essex.

Offers wanted for vols. 20, 21, 22 and 23 P.S. W., unbound, and in perfec. condition. M., 1 Norfolk rd., Tunbridge We'ls.

Have for sale or exchange several shorthand and educational books; send stamp for list. W. J. Thomas, 68 Lower Stafford st., Wolverhampton. 5s 3d parcel miscellaneous phonographic literature, is id. Halmshaw,* North st, Heckmondwike.

Cheap for cash. Vols. 1 to 23 inclusive, Shorthand Weekly, four bound, excellent condition, but two nos. missing. J. Gunson, Tarporley, Reading practice for the coming holidays, etc. 6s. worth shorthand magazines in new condition, all different, post-free is 6d, sent any part of the world for money order for 2s; splendid and unequalled value. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London. [37]

For sale, few copies of Oliver McEwan's Verbatim Reporting, post-free, Is Id. J. H. Simmons, 2 Rokeby rd., Brockley, London, S E. 36]

SUBSCRIPTION RATES.-This Journal may be ordered through any Bookseller, Newsagent, or Railway Bookstall, or by post direct from the Publishers. The terms to all parts of the world are is. 8a per quarter; 35. 3d. per half year; or 6s. 6d. per year, payable in advance. Subscriptions may commence with any number. Monthly part, 58,, post-free 7d.; terms of subscription same as above,

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In commenting upon the results of the Society of Arts examinations for the present year we drew attention to the circumstance that the percentage of failures in shorthand was very much larger than that in any other subject. The fact is not a new one: but it is one that invites discussion. Why is it that a larger pro. portion of candidates fail in this subject than in any other? There is no ground for the suggestion that the examiner is severer than other examiners. There is no reason to think that the tests to which the candidates were submitted in shorthand were unexpectedly difficult. The standard of this examination is well known. tain institutions succeed year after year in passing every candidate, or nearly every candidate, whom they present. The test passages can hardly have taken anybody by surprise. We hear bad reading alleged as a cause of failure. Faulty readers there may have been here and there, but we do not believe that they are numerous, or that any very considerable number of candidates suffered from this cause. We are thus driven to the conclusion that the circumstance to which we have referred owes its origin to defects in the candidates themselves.

What are these defects? To some extent they are defects of education. Only in rare instances can a man take down correctly words with which he is unacquainted. If he does manage to take them down, he cannot depend upon being able to transcribe them correctly. A good familiarity with the language is therefore wanted by anybody who desires to succeed at a shorthand examination. Weakness in this respect shows itself in various ways. It shows itself in sentences wrongly transcribed, the candidate guessing at a word which he

does not understand, and generally guessing erroneously. It shows itself in blanks left in the transcript by reason of failure to recognise the word written. It shows itself sometimes in those marvellous invented words-words never before uttered or printed, words which one may look for in vain in the most comprehensive of dictionaries -which shorthand examiners have so frequently exposed. A shorthand test is always and of necessity a test of general knowledge, as well as a test of shorthand skill and ignorance" will out." It cannot be concealed in the transcript by any device, however ingenious. Another prolific source of failure is inability to read one's notes readily. It may seem wearisome, and it should be superfluous, to point out again and again the obvious truth that the ability to write shorthand at speed is utterly useless without the ability to read it when it has been written. But it is absolutely necessary to repeat this simple proposition time after time, and to insist on the necessity of practice in reading, as well as practice in writing. Every candidate who has neglected reading practice comes to grief at an examination; and he must come to grief.

A few candidates fail by reason of carelessness. They could do better if they would but take pains. But their heart is not in the task, they trust to " chance," and they receive the gift which that fickle goddess bestows on most of her devotees. Sometimes the vanity of a feverish desire to hand in the transcript before anybody else, is responsible for the non-appearance of a candidate's name in the list of the successful. It is never wise to hand in a transcript immediately it is completed. Everybody is liable to make a little slip here and there, and the prudent candidate aware of that fact will read through his transcript after it is written, and satisfy himself that it is as perfect as he can make it before he hands it in. One other cause to which a certain proportion of failures is undoubtedly due we have not mentioned-and that is, an imperfect acquaintance with shorthand. We are not sure that this accounts for many failures, but it helps to swell the total. Other causes operate in the same way : inability to write at the speed required, and examination nervousness, for instance. A temporary failure may be a very good thing if it lead the unsuccessful candidate to search out his defects, and to seek to remedy them. We are afraid, however, that it has not always that effect.

A movement has been initiated among American shorthand writers for the celebration of the shorthand jubilee in America of Mr Benn Pitman, of Cincinnati, the eldest surviving brother of the Inventor of Phonography. The Committee of Arrangements for the Jubilee Memorial includes Colonel H. C. Demming, Harrisburg, Pa. (chairman), Rev. W. D. Bridge, 150 Fifth avenue, New York (treasurer), and Mr C. C. Beale, Court House, Boston, Mass. (secretary). Mr Clarence A. Pitman (the American representative of Isaac Pitman and Sons, New York,) is among the phonographers on the Committee.

A Liverpool correspondent writes: "I never had a commercial lesson in my life, but by the study of Pitman's works I have taken first-class certificates of the Lancashire and Cheshire Union of Institutes in handwriting, business routine, commercial geography, and book-keeping,'

A circular has been issued giving an outline of the scheme for the proposed Institute of Shorthand Writers, Ireland. Any Irish teachers or shorthand writers who have not received a copy will be supplied with one on application to the Hon. Secretary pro tem., Mr M. T. O'Malley, 19 Phibsborough road, Dublin.

Mr Montague Moustardier, A.C.I.S, of Greenwood road, Dalston, has been successful in passing the final examination of the Society of Accountants and Auditors (Incorporated). Mr Moustardier, who is well known in Dalston as a teacher of Pitman's Shorthand, is a member of the Incorporated Phonographic Society.

Miss Ettie A. Rout, one of the Vice-Principals of Gilby's Commercial College, 150 Worcester street, Christchurch, New Zealand, has contributed to the New Zealand Illustrated Magazine a practical article on "Commercial Education." Miss Rout very aptly observes that: "Shorthand, typewriting, and book-keeping constitute the mathematics' in commercial education; and with all that they involve in the way of spelling, punctuation, letter-writing, composition, pronunciation, good handwriting, neatness and aptness at figures, they furnish an excellent beginning. In themselves they are not an end, they are a beginning-a foundation on which may be built a sound commercial career."

As showing the great variety of people to whom Pitman's Shorthand is an object of interest, it may be mentioned that in the shorthand classes held during the past session in a flourishing Lancashire town were included several colliers, three or four cotton factory operatives, a baker, a brass finisher, two joiners, agrocer's assistant, three gas inspectors, a pawnbroker, a music teacher, several packers and warehousemen, a draper's assistant, two day school teachers, a fruiterer, a wagon builder, a time-keeper, a picture-framer's assistant, and a worker on the railway. These workers in so many different capacities took their lessons alongside clerks engaged in offices of one kind and another, and admirable discipline was maintained.

Allusions to shorthand were not long ago of rare occurrence in literature especially in fiction. They are now more fre quently met with, though one would hardly expect to encounter them in a novel dealing with life in Poland. But a suggestive reference to the commercial use of the art is to be found in one of the works of Henryk Sienkiewicz, known in its English translation as "Children of the Soil." The author describes one of his characters, a Polish man of business, as going to his office in Warsaw, "shutting himself in " and dictating to a shorthand writer letters relating to matters of business that needed attention. The fact is that office methods are nowadays very much the same all the world over, and the novelists are becoming aware of the circumstance.

We have received a copy of the new prospectus of the oldest business college in England, namely, that of Messrs Smart and Co., 62 Market street, Manchester, which was founded in the year 1838, and has been successfully conducted ever since, first under the direction of its original founder, Professor Fred Smart, and at present under the personal management of his eldest son, Mr Fred Smart. The particulars of the curriculum and the training essential for special positions are set out in a very clear and concise form. A free registry for merchants and a free employment bureau for students are among the features of this up-to-date school, now in its sixty-fifth year. The English business college is, therefore, not quite such a modern institution as is sometimes supposed,

In association with a stenographic gathering held at Bordeaux on 6th and 7th August, meetings have been held of the Committee of the International Shorthand Congress. The proceedings included a reception by the Mayor at the Hotel de Ville, and an Exhibition of Typewriters.

TYPEWRITING NOTES.

Strikes among the mechanics of typewriter manufacturers have been very common lately in America.

The Bennington typewriter is a new machine which is expected shortly on the market in America. It bears a strong resemblance to the Bar-Lock.

The Paragon ribbons sold by the Remington Typewriter Co. are now being put up in a new form, which greatly facilitates winding on to the machine. They can be wound direct from the box, and need not be handled at all by the fingers.

Towards the end of May a banquet was given at the Remington Typewriter Works at Ilion, to celebrate the completion of the new three-storey addition to the factory. Mr C. W. Seamans and Mr H. H. Benedict, two of the original members of the firm of Wyckoff, Seamans and Benedict, were present, and received a great ovation.

The Oliver Typewriter Club, 75 Queen Victoria street, London, E.C., has established a monthly organ, entitled the Oliver Magazine, which seems likely to prove extremely interesting and useful to all users of this machine. Attractive literary contributions, descriptive articles on the doings of the club, and jottings on typewriting topics, make up a good bill of fare.

The Williams Typewriter and Supply Company, Ltd., 269 Deansgate, Manchester, has organized a walking competition for lady typists from the address above mentioned to Knutsford, on Saturday, 29th August, at two o'clock. The first prize will be a No. 4 Williams typewriter, the second prize an eight-drawer typewriter drop cabinet, and the third prize a four-drawer typewriter drop cabinet. Entry forms and conditions can be obtained from the Manchester manager of the Company.

On 23rd July, at a meeting of the London School Board, the motion discussed at the previous meeting, providing for the purchase of 113 additional typewriters and the exchange of 30 old ones for the Evening Schools at a cost of £2,023, was agreed to, Sir Charles Elliott's amendment to confine the expenditure to £900 being negatived by 23 votes to II. Schools under the Board will, therefore, be well equipped with machines for the teaching of type writing during the coming session.

The Irish Independent (Dublin) thus commented upon the motion to purchase more machines: "The number of girls at present attending schools in London where shorthand, typewriting, and other commercial subjects are taught shows, it is stated, a remarkable increase compared with this time last year. So great is the run on typewriting instruction in the evening schools of late that the School Board has been asked to supply 113 more machines, making a total of 463, and there are now something like 1,700 female pupils under the tuition of typewriting experts employed by the Board who hold certificates of proficiency from the Society of Arts or the London Chamber of Commerce. Several thousand pupils are undergoing similar training in other institutions, also in London. In a few months' time all these girls will be seeking situations; and it appears they are likely to get them too. In fact, the demand for girls who can be something more than mere writing machines is said to be far in excess of the supply. As for the ordinary male clerk, his day is apparently drawing to a close; and, like the male shop assistant, he will have to seek some other occupation."

The inference drawn by the Irish journal that the woman typist is destined to oust the male clerk is by no means borne out by existing facts. It must be remembered that the typewriting classes in which the subject is taught are as much for the benefit of male clerks as women. The demand for junior male clerks is far more in exces of the supply than the demand for capable women clerks. Men who will take up shorthand and typewriting can rely upon there being plenty of call for their services. When typewriters first began to sell freely in this country, women operators were almost exclusively employed, not so much, however, because women were preferred, as because men were slow to take up the subject. At the present day there is more difficulty in getting good male clerks with a knowledge of shorthand and typewriting than capable women clerks.

Generally speaking, newspaper comment upon the proposal

of the London School Board to purchase further typewriters was unfavourable to the project. The Newcastle Journal, for instance, contained the following paragraph: "A strong feeling is rising against the extension by the London School Board of its typewriting classes, for which purpose it has been decided to order a hundred and thirteen new typewriters. The main objection is that typewriting is a trade, and ought not to be taught at the expense of the ratepayers. A still more effective and practical objection is that there are even now too many typewriters. There always have been too many of the clerk class in London. and now they are increasing beyond all requirement owing to the action of the School Board, which is turning out young people equipped with shorthand and typewriting qualification by the hundred, and of course the more shorthand and typewriting is used in offices, the fewer clerks are required."

Our Newcastle contemporary is adopting a very old line of argument in the foregoing paragraph--the argument that improved method means the displacement of labour. Was there ever a single improved method that meant this? As a matter of fact, typewriting and shorthand have not meant fewer clerks, but better and more work. The dirty, wretched clerk of fifty years ago-the mere pen-drudge-has been displaced, it is true, but his displacement was slow and painless, and the present generation of clerks is larger, brighter, cleaner, and more ambitious. The old saying, "Once a clerk, always a clerk," is not in this day true. It is certainly very untrue of the shorthand and typewriting clerk, who by the knowledge gained in dealing with the correspondence of a large business firm, often finds his way into a position from which he can direct the affairs of the firm.

The papers have recently been full of discussion as to the position of the shorthand typist in the labour market. The discussion has been suggested partly by the London School Board's purchase of more typewriters, and partly by an article which appeared in the Daily Mail on 20th July, entitled, "5,000 Girl Typists, Preparing to Oust the Male Clerk." In that article it was estimated that there are at the present time something like 5.350 girls qualifying for clerkships in London. This is probably near the mark; but it by no means follows that the 5,000 odd will all become qualified, or all able to take up practical work. Some will certainly fall out of the running during their preparatory training, either through inability to qualify, or through force of circumstances. Suppose, however, that we allow that 4,000 of these clerks will become qualified-a very liberal estimate it does not follow that the supply of women shorthand-typists will be at all in excess of the demand. Every month some 500 typewriters are sold in London-6,000 per annum. At least as many more are sold in the provinces, where, as is well known, shorthand and typewriting are not as largely taught as in London, and tɔ which, therefore, many of the London trained operators migrate.

Two views are taken of the question now under discussion. One has it that the schools are turning out too many short

hand-typists; the other that they are turning out too few really capable workers. There is probably more truth in the latter view than in the former. The scarcity of capable operators is, however, hardly the fault of the schools. The fact is that the educated classes have yet to learn fully that there are plenty of openings for young people of good education with a knowledge of shorthand and typewriting. A large proportion of shorthand-typists have not that preliminary general education which is so necessary for real success in the work. The utmost efficiency in mere shorthand and typewriting will never make a capable shorthand-typist. Without the groundwork of general education-not deep, but wide-mere technical knowledge of the twin arts is of little

use.

TRAFFORD ROAD COMMERCIAL EVENING SCHOOL, SALFORD.

The following excellent results were obtained by students attending the shorthand classes at the above school in the examinations held last April. In the Society of Arts examination all the candidates who presented themselves passed. Three obtained 1st class certificates (140 words); four passed at 110 words, and eight at 80 words. This is the first time that any student sitting at a Salford school has gained a ist class certificate for shorthand from this Society.

In the Lancashire and Cheshire Union of Institutes examination 91% of the candidates passed the speed examination, namely seven at 120 words (four passing with distinction and being placed 7th, 10th, 12th and 18th), six at 100 words, six at 80 words, and twenty at 60 words. Only five of the students who sat in the latter examination obtained less than 100 marks. In the theory examination of the same Society 79% of the candidates passed. In the National Federation of S.W.A's. examinations J. Nixon gained a certificate for 150 words, together with special prize for best paper worked at that speed, and also a certificate for 160 words, and James Goodwin in the same examination gained the special prize offered for the best transcript sent in for the two examinations conducted by the Federation in December and March last. The teachers were Messrs H. S. Wilson, G. Macartney and J. Nixon. The following are the names of the successful candidates :

Society of Arts-140 words, C. H. Brotherton, J. Hanna and J. Nixon. 110 words, J. Goodwin, A. Hanna, H. Openshaw and M. Rawe. 80 words, Misses I. Bayley and E. Connors and Messrs J. Bradley, A. E. Greenhalgh, E. A. Hall, R. Midgley, F. Suddaby and R. Thorpe.

Lancashire and Cheshire Union of Institutes-120 words, W. Foy (7th on list), C. H. Brotherton (10th), J. Goodwin (12th), J. Bradley (18th), M. Cohen, J. Hanna, J. Nixon and H. Openshaw, the first four with distinction. 100 words, M. Rawe, G. H. Roberts, F. Suddaby, R. Thorpe and Miss E. Connors. 80 words, A. N. Greenhalgh, T. E. Ireland, R. Midgley, J. Stonehewer, H. Sparkes and Miss I. Bayley. 60 words, P. Ackerley, W. Hayter, H. Jeffries, T. Johnston, W. Morris, T. Royle, T. L. Smith, J. Turner, G. A. Woodcock, F. Worthington and Misses A. Connolly, F. Hill, S. McMurray, H. Reason, L. M. Swallow, N. Taffs, M. Tawes, L. Thompson, E. Wallace and M. Williamson. Theory, F. M. Baguley, D. A. Byrne, A. E. Baker, J. Caro, T. B. Crook, E. Couldock, G. H. Carter, G. E. Creighton, J. Davidson, S. Forrest, F. Goldstraw, F. H. Greenhalgh, E. Hetherington, W. Hills, T. Hough, W. Laws, J. Pickston, H. Pievin, J. Partington, W. Reason, E. H. Smith, C. H. Teasdale, J. B. Walker,. Wood, J. Welham and W. Wilde and Misses E. Gregory, M. Green, A. Miller, E. Halliwell, E. Slack, L. Wilson and E. Whittle.

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THE TYPEWRITER IN CANADA.

A CHAT WITH MR BLAND OF THE "EMPIRE." The introduction of the typewriter naturally followed the lines of least resistance from prejudice or custom, or, in other words, followed the lines where there was the most favourable field for its adoption, either by reason of the genius of the people or the necessities of business. Naturally the first countries to adopt the typewriter were those where inventiveness has free play, and where business is most pressing, and the need for improved methods is most felt. From this point of view, of fostering influence or necessity, the Dominion of Canada was not, clearly, one of the most likely countries in the first instance for a large market for the typewriter. Its vast dimensions and illimitable spaces are more associated with the field for the settler and the pioneer than with the busy marts in which men do congregate to do other people's business for them. But if that was so in the early days of the writing machine, it can no longer be said to be the case in Canada now, and the growth of the business there is not without interest, though it may be confined to commercial centres of the Dominion, rather than a universal necessity, as in the neighbouring United States of America.

In an interesting talk with Mr Bland, Manager of the Empire Typewriter Co. at 77 Queen Victoria street, London, E.C., which we had recently, our attention was naturally directed to the point of what the typewriter is doing in Canada and also what Canada is doing for the typewriter, because it is probably known to the reader that the Empire typewriter is a Canadian machine, and we may add that Mr Bland himself is a Canadian, which gave our interview a special interest. Our questions were, therefore, addressed to the double aspect of the title we have chosen for this article, namely, how the typewriter came to Canada, and how Canada came to send us the typewriter in return.

"

Yes," said Mr Bland in answer to our first question as to the advent of the typewriter into Canada, "you can understand that when the typewriter first came out, there was not so brisk a demand for it in Canada as in the United States. For many years there was practically only one or two machines in Canada, the Remington and the Caligraph The Remington had agents in the larger towns, and it is only within the last eight years, I should say, that there has been any competition to speak of with the typewriters in Canada. In the early days of the typewriter there was a very heavy duty upon the machine coming from the United States into Canada, and that ran up the price of the standard machine to $125. I think about $20 or $25 of duty was added on to the price of the standard machine as sold in the States, which was $100. That high price, of course, would tend to limit the purchase of the machine to the actual centres in which business was most pressing.'

"Under what circumstances did the Empire typewriter come upon the scene as a Canadian machine?

"The old Wellington No. 1 typewriter was in use in the United States for several years before the Empire appeared. The Wellington No. 2, which is almost but not quite identical with the Empire, came out in 1895, and is still sold under that name in the States. About the same time the Imperial Writing Machine Company bought the rights from the inventor of the Wellington for Canada, for Great Britain, the Colonies, and for Europe."

"And then you were able to start with the machine in Canada with the double advantage of producing what you considered a good machine, at a much lower price than the standard machine, and at the same time could place it on the market in Canada without any tariff, from the fact of its being made in Canada?"

"Yes, and that had a very marked effect upon the typewriter business in Canada, because it brought the typewriter within the reach of a great many who would not have thought of buying a high priced machine, plus the duty which such a machine had to pay, and we are now finding that by producing a good machine at a reasonable price with the duty off, that the demand is much greater.

"The Empire factory is at Montreal. The Company who built the machine under contract were, like many other typewriter makers, in the first instance a sewing machine company, and they make sewing machines still as well as the typewriter. You see, a sewing machine company had been working on somewhat similar lines as regards tools and workmen, and could soon adapt its works for the production of the new machine, with experts for the direction of the different departments. I may say that some of the earliest of these machines made are met with occasionally in England, and persons who have been using them for the last six or seven years are so satisfied with them that they will not change them even for the latest model of the Empire."

"What are the chief centres of the typewriter business in Canada?"

"In the chief business centres of the Dominion-Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax, St John, Winnipeg, and as far West as Vancouver. Quebec is pulling up, but it has been a very indifferent type writing centre hitherto."

"And what is the general result of your Canadian typewriter trade?"

Well, we are selling more Empire machines in Canada than are sold of the machines of all other companies put together. We have many very large users of the typewriter in the Dominion, including the Canadian-Pacific Railway which uses 400 Empire typewriters."

"There is no preference given to the Empire as a Canadian machine when it goes to the other Colonies?

"

None whatever, nor have we laid stress upon the Empire being a Canadian machine and made within the British Empire; it has gone on its merits. The foreign trade from th's office is chiefly Colonial, as Europe is controlled by other general agents. Of the total sale of typewriters of the Empire construction, over 50 per cent. is marketed in the British Empire. In Europe the machine is sold at £20, including duty, and in other countries outside Canada and Great Britain (where its price is £13 2s. 6d,), the machine is sold at £15 15s. The factory is now doubling its output, and is increasing as fast as it can. For six months here we have been unable to get our quota of machines, and it is chiefly in consequence of the demand in this country. We have shown the factory a clean pair of heels, and they did not catch us up until the quiet season came on. We have done as much

business in the last six months over here as we did for the whole of the year 1901. So that in two years our rate of busir es is doubled. That fact is due to the merits of the machine and its moderate price, and, of course, to being actively pushed."

"And what part of your success do you think is due to the fact of its being a Čanadian machine-a British Empire machine?"

"Well, that may have influenced the business to some ex'ent. I think it has helped us, though not to the extent that the fact of its being a good machine has done. Of course, taking two machines that are of equal merit this sentiment would tell somewhat in our favour. The preferential tariff; with the Colonies, if they ever come about, would certainly be a great help to us with other Colonies, although the duties with India and the Colonies are light compared with the European countries, and in Australia no duty is paid. The Imperial Writing Machine Company is a Canadian Company, and contains some of the best known men in Montreal. The Empire Typewriter Company is an English Company, for the sale of a Canadian machine.'

"Yes, I am a Canadian myself," said Mr Bland in answer to further questions. "I came over here two years ago, having been formerly connected with the Company in Canada which manufactures the Empire typewriter."

"It may interest you to know in connection with the typewriter in Canada, and Canada's share in sending the typewriter over here, that the carriage of a typewriter from Canada to this country is almost mil. It is, in fact, less than Is. 6d. per machine, from Montreal to London, including the railway fare."

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