The balmy weather of Monday afternoon coaxed the writer out on a tour of inspection after the severe weather of last week. An auto trip with Lem Murray whose forbears sleep in the ancient Warrior Run cemetery took us down the West Branch to Lewisburg, thence through the heart of beautiful Buffalo valley to its metropolis, Mifflinburg.
Some tourist named Mifflinburg, "Spotless town" because of its clean appearance, neat looking homes, all shining with paint, well kept lawns and clean streets and alley's. The name sticks, as it deserves to. Arriving at the former home of the Telegraph, it was learned the plant had been moved to its own new home on Walnut street, and then came the surprise. The new home is located near the center of town, just out of reach of the turmoil and roar of traffic, where the mind is not distracted from the business in hand. It is a handsome fireproof building throughout, severely plain, built for service, not for show.
The building is in the center of a lot 65 by 120 feet, and is 70 by 35 feet on the ground. It has been placed in the center to insure ample light at all times without danger of other buildings being close to it. The business office and editorial rooms are in front, well lighted with twin windows, finished in sheetrock and painted a delicate shade of green with dark green trim, easy on the eye, and permanent in wear. The office contains the very latest and best equipment. As the door was opened into the composing and press room someone was giving fugacious instructions in the language of the print shop, dear to the ear of the old timer.
"Bruce, put Judge Johnson on the galley, and finish up the bootlegger haul you commenced yesterday." "Set up the ruins of Herculaneum and distribute the influenza. Lock up Ellis Book Store and slide Memory Lane into the hell box, and leave the pi until after dinner. Put the fat ladies form to press, and go to the devil and put him to work on James Brawn." "Put a dutchman in the Shady Corner, in the quick lunch line, and plane down R. E. Stover's furniture and radios.
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"Kill Charles Lindig, we will give him a new face next week. Shively go feed the pony, and don't run it too fast, the stock is very light. Fill up the fountain before you start." No, this jargon did not originate at the time of King Tut or Queen Moo, it is the every day language of the average print shop. It is the printer's language, it may be unintelligible to the uninitiated, but perfectly understandable to the members of the Fourth estate.. It is simple when translated into action by the printer, and not as rough as the reader might imagine.
The reader may wonder what a fountain has to do with a pony. In this case the pony is a small cylinder press, and the fountain is the part containing the ink for the rollers. Standing in one corner is the old Washington hand press, upon which was printed the first issue of the Telegraph, June 5 1862, almost 67 years ago. Publisher Kniss has given it a place of honor. It stands alone in its glory.
For almost sixty-seven years it has told the story of Mifflinburg, its tragedies, its successes and its failure, and even today it still is used to print sale bills and cards, and its work is equal to the most modern, if handled properly.
Gazing upon the old veteran of by we we reminded of Napoleon after the battle of Jena. He was escorting the captured commander of the enemies army to his tent when a battle scarred veteran of Napoleons old guard presented arms at the entrance.
Pointing to the bronzed soldier of many conflicts, Napoleon said, "What do you think of soldiers wounded like that, and still live?" The Austrian arch duke replied, "What do you think of soldiers who could give such wounds?" Napoléon did not answer, but the member of the old guard replied, "They are all dead, they are all dead." And so we thought of the old "Washie," it still stands like the member of the old guard, mute evidence of those who have passed on. If it could talk, what stories it could tell.
It has seen generations come and go, and has recorded their lives from the cradle to the grave. It has told the stories of three wars, numerous political battles, court trials, murders and suicides, and like Tennysons brook, bids fair to continue on telling the world of the coming farm sales and auctions throughout the Buffalo Valley.
When the first numbers of the Telegraph was printed upon it. It is likely that two hundred papers an hour would be the limit, and this could be acquired only through the laborious efforts of those operating it by the strong arm method. In marked contrast, in another part of the room stands the big duplex newspaper press with a capacity of thirty-five hundred eight page papers, printed, folded and trimmed, in one hour. Two weeks ago printed fifty-six, this press 7 column pages.
Close by is the battery of Linotypes, used to set the type. No picking up one type at a time, but a simple touch of a key completes the operation. Arthur Blair and Helen Dotts are the expert operators who keep the lifelike Linotypes in motion. John Shively, pressman, looks after the big Duplex. After the eight pages of the paper are placed in position, and everything is adjusted, a turn of a button starts the press. The big web of paper commences to unroll, and the completed papers begin to drop, ready for the mailing machines. Bruce Smith, compositor, make-up and ad man is no tyro at the business, and the most intricate piece of composition is quickly whipped into shape and ready for the press.
Philip Stewart is foreman, charged with the proper methods and manner of turning the raw material into the finished product of the plant at the minimum cost. Opaque glass is used in this portion of the building, through which the sharp sunlight is mellowed, and the glare removed, making working conditions ideal. Eleven foot ceilings guarantee perfect ventilation throughout the building.
In the business office Miriam Brungard is the efficient bookkeeper and financial expert. Her presence behind the desk is a guarantee that you will be furnished promptly with correct information, pertaining to her part of the business.
Gladys Beecham is the social editor. She is charged with the minute description of the winsome bride, and the handsome groom, the bridge party, the elopements; and those who do not elope but should. She notes the dog fights, the auto collisions and the neighborhood gossip, and turns it over to the sports editor, or the local editor, as the case may be. E. Pringle, Jr., is the advertising manager.
He has had years of experience in the advertising business, and the triune newspapers of which ho has charge are fortunate in having the service of an expert in this line. It is to the- advantage of the advertising public also. They are assured of their publicity being prepared and presented in the most modern and up-to-date method known to the advertising fraternity, insuring them proper presentation on the printed page.
The Milton plant of the Keystone Press is a fully equipped plant in charge of H. M. Dentler, who has followed the printing business all his life. Here is installed a Miehle vertical job press,-a Linotype, cylinder press, and other job equipment. The Miltonian, issued with an assured new lease on life is next to the Williamsport Gazette and Bulletin, the oldest paper in Central Pennsylvania. For years The Miltonian had been on the decline, but with the prestige of age it is being revitalized and is fast assuming its place in the world under the management of the Keystone Press. The Montgomery ' Mirror, for many years published by T. E. Grady, is also a member of the family of the Keystone Press. By calling or phoning the Mirror office in Montgomery all matters pertaining either to advertising or news will be taken care of by Mr.
Grady. Mr. C. A. Kniss is president and publisher of the Keystone Press Publishing Co., and to whose ability and business acumen the success of the company is due.
Close application to his business and a firm belief that the small town newspaper only requires modern methods to make it a financial success, has brought about the results shown by the pages before you. The entire building on Walnut street, Mifflinburg, is heated with the vapor system of heating. An oil burner is attached to the boiler. The action of the oil burner is automatic thermostats throughout the building automatically control the flow of oil.
It requires no attention whatever after it is installed except to keep it supplied with oil. If the weather is cold the flow automatically increases, if its gets warmer, the supply is automatically cut down. The result is an even temperature in all kinds of weather. The advantages of this system are numerous. It eliminates ashes and dust, that foe of machinery.
There is no waiting for the room to get warm, or the rollers warm up The building is just as warm when the doors are opened in the morning as when leaving in the evening. No time is needed attending the fire, and neither fuel or ashes to contend with. The plant of the Keystone Telegraph Press is without doubt the best equipped small town plant in the state. All the equipment is the very best and latest, modern in every respect. A complete stereotyping plant is part of the equipment.
The job presses are of the usual type found in all plants, and the latest type faces are in use. The building is sanitary, well lighted and ventilated, and nothing has been overlooked that would add to the comfort and health of the employees. Next spring Mr. Kniss expects to have the adjoining ground graded and planted by a landscape gardener to beautify the surroundings. This will add to the cleanliness and attractiveness of the building.
If "cleanliness is next to Godliness" this object has been attained, and will be further developed when the weather permits. Mifflinburg is to be congratulated upon having such a model establishment in its midst. It deserves the patronage of the citizens of the Buffalo Valley in full measure, and they have no excuse for going elsewhere for their work. They should take pride in the ability of the publisher, and the faith he has shown by the investment made in order to give them a newspaper they may feel proud of.
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