PURPOSE: To automate the selection and switching of operating conditions in accordance with the kind of slips so as to improve the operability and reading speed of a slip reading device by providing a slip kind recognizing means, handling procedure storing section, and operation control section.

CONSTITUTION: When a slip 1 is supplied, a reading section 3 reads the slip 1. An information transfer processing section 6 transfers slip kind information obtained by reading the information on the slip 1 and converted into character codes to a slip kind recognizing means 11 and the means 11 recognizes the kind of the slip and supplies the recognized signal to an operating procedure storing section 12. The section 12 inputs the slip kind information to an address and outputs a slip operating procedure. An operation control section 13 controls a carrying control section 14 in accordance with the operating procedure. The section 14 sends the slip 1 to the reading section after sucking the slip 1 or carries the slip from the section 3 to a discharge port or slip housing case. Therefore, when a slip of a different kind is read, the slip handling procedure can be automatically switched.