Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 92.djvu/285

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ARVEY PARSONS is a cartoonist on the staff of a Topeka newspaper. He conceived the original idea of setting up President's Wilson's reply to the Pope in type, in such a way that the result would be not only a readable reproduction of the message itself, but a portrait of President Wilson.

First of all, Parsons drew a likeness of the President. With that before him, he gave minute instructions to O. W. Kelly, an old printer friend of his. Parsons does not know Nonpareil from upper case Roman; yet he was able to make Kelly understand what was wanted. After his successful experiment, the artist declared that he could write instructions to a printer which would read: "Set a yard of the old Testament in 8-point Gothic as per …" with a string of symbols and figures. And what would be the result? A type portrait of Moses! And the printer would not know it until he had pulled his proof.

As our illustration shows, light-faced type composes the high lights of the picture, and black or bold-faced, the half-tones and darker portions. The proper spacing of the letters is not destroyed, and the reply to the Pope is legible in spite of the underlying likeness. The portraits are set in type by machine.

A MOTOR truck body, a set of flanged wheels and a light automobile engine constitute the rolling stock of a Louisiana railway. The road connects Christie and Pearson and carries on a lively business. The "super-jitney," as it has been designated, operates on a regular time schedule and is able to make excellent speed despite its rather cumbersome appearance. It can conveniently accommodate twenty passengers, and in addition can haul a great deal of express and merchandise, by stowing it under the seats or on the top of the coach. No matter how heavy the load, there is practically no vibration, for the railroad bed is still in good condition.