The Phonogram, Vol. 2:2 (1892-02)

1 WCfc 8rt i f THE PHONOGRAM. 35 trol the place of work. Night work may beTdone at home, which otherwise would have to be done at some less convenient place to the operator. 4th. As the operator regulates the speed of dictation by the phonograph or graphophone, he need not impose more work upon himself than he can comfort- ably execute. In direct dictation the op- erator often works under tremendous pressure, which is wearing to the nerves * and destructive to health. 5th. If the operator is a refined and sensitive lady, as is often the case, she may write out the dictation of the most person- ally offensive and disagreeable member of the opposite sex, without the infliction of his presence, a necessary evil under the direct dictation system. Gth. A typewriter operator who trans- cribes from the phonograph or graph- ophone can accomplish more for an employer, both in quantity and quality of output, than can be done in any other way. The time of the shorthand writer is * taken in part in receiving the dictation. Even if accurately taken and transcribed there is here a great waste. Where phono- graphs or graphophones are used, the principal can dictate to one machine while the clerk is transcribing from an- other ; and, as all of the time of the clerk is spent in transcribing, none in note-tak- ing, a great gain is apparent. The eyes are relieved from constantly studying shorthand characters, there is nothing to do but hear and write, and thus the work is lightened. This point will be appreci- ated by all whose eyes are weak or sensi- tive. If the correspondence of the office is not large enough to require constant transcribing, the clerk may be engaged upon other important work for the princi- pal while the principal is dictating. 7th. Writing from phonograph or graphophone dictation insensibly but cer- tainly increases greatly the speed of the writer and is the best practice. 8th. While few can afford to dictate di- rectly to a typewriter operator, on account of small product and great consumption of time, yet such an operator, even if not ex- pert, can be utilized economically on the phonograph or graphophone. To use these machines it is only necessary to be able to hear and write, no matter how slow the rate of speed ; and the dictation can be repeated mechanically an indefinite number of times, for the benefit of those whose slow jperception or key manipula- tion would try too greatlv the patience of a human dictator. Much has been said about the impossi- bility of machinery taking the place of brains. This, of course, is true, Brains will always bring a premium’in the busi- ness world. The marvellous talking ma- chine enables brains to be utilized to a greater extent than was ever before possible in the commercial field. In view of tl* impetus given by the phonograph to the typewriter business, the wonder is that every agent for writing ma- chines does not make greater effort to interest operators and the public generally, thereby increasing the use and sale of his special make of typewriter. Ip Washjngtqp^nd Baltimore the bene- fits conferred by talking machines upon typewriter ojperators are rapidly becoming well understood and appreciated. The Tea Culture in the South. 'The recent attempt to raise tea in North Carolina shows that the soil and climate are favorable to tliLTindustry, but, owing to tile expense entailed in picking and curing, only the highest grades could be produced with profit* • Tlie tVovernment of Japan gets a large proportion of its revenue from the railroad and telegraph companies that it owns and operates.