Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-16
A NOTORIOUS BLK.
Ze1l Hoover Again.

To the Editor Of TIRE EVENING STAR:
The way THE STAR accommodates its patrons
reminds me OF the experience meetings" about
which knew something years ago To be sure,
there is more variety In the topics which TIE
STAR brings before U.S. Spelling. water. gas.
driving. street etiquette, alley cleaning andspar-
rows, all seem to interest the brethren and sis
tiers, aud | am sure much good is done BY this
presentation of views,and relation OF experience.
For instance. when the brother from S street ap-
peaed to the downtown folk to consider his
second floor when they turned on their water in
cold times, straightway bought thermometer
ana put my mind on spigots Now. / deem it
my duty to tell how was bilked for the first
tlme In my life. hoping some may be warned by
me to their decided advantage. About a month
ago man called at my house in my absence.
expressed wish TO me- and left his address
went around to his house but he was out.
While waiting for him asked his wife with re-
gard to her husbands business and was told
| that he was "a collector" That satisfied my
curiosity as to what total stranger
could possibly want of me- In fact |
thought it not impossible that he might
have some legitimate affair in which was con-
cerned. After missing each other twice we
met at my house, when he told me that his
errand to me was strictly confdential-that
Trend of mine (whose name for the present
! must be kept from me) whom | had served
some years ago, who now had great influence
wished to do me q favor
position at fair salary ready for me-
but would have to pay yearly as much as got
tor one months work. To this consented. He
then said: You will have to loan us some
money" Just at that point. suppose he saw
the same look in my face. which polite New
Yorker probably saw when he wanted me to
enable him to pay for bill of goods until he
could get his $50 gold pieces changed. for he
hastened to add. but don't inconvenience your
self in the least-your friend will advance it: he
told NE not to let you trouble yourself in the
natter That caught me-that utter inditfer-
ence as to whether | advanced any money or
not, and said: ''Well, might borrow of some
one if haven't enough by me-" How much
could you borrow" said he.
just then he must have seen the suspicious
look again. as said. 81 might possibly raise
$40" "Oh. half that will do" he replied; lit
doesn't matter how much; just what is handy:
its only compliance with rules" That caught
me again. Thought |, II he were beat he'd
insist on twenty or at least grab the ten. So
found five in my pocket which. at his sugges-
tlon. l augmented to $3.50. He drew his note
payable at bank on Market Space, dated 1t the
18th, which was Sunday the day before our
interview and insisted on my calling witness
to the fact that had loaned him $3.50. This
caught me still further, but see now that it Is
only another instance of the great artistic skill
OF this rare collector"
The class who report at the Police Court for
collecting" overcOats, pocketbooks etc, plead
guilty, and get their 80, 60 or 80 days. as the
case may be, but this person. when he has
collected his money, says; Il borrowed it and
can prove It," This happened Monday, JAM
uary 18th. On Wednesday he was to bring me
my appointment and tell me my devoted and
powerful friends name. At the time fixed ne
came. but had nothing to reveal, except that
he had paid $1,000 for affidavits and that there
lore l owed him So. told him "my friend"
would have to advance that and he seemed
quite contented, as he took his leave, saying
that he would call the next day at ! to take me
to the Commissioner. About 4 p.m., a little girl
came with note from him asking for %, which
did not send. In half hour after the little girl
returned, saying, 'Mr. -, Mr.. Hoover would
not have sent for that money if he had not
needed it."
My reply was, az have answered Mr. Hoover's
note, and have no other answer to send" That
night, Colored man brought a STAR to me,
keeping his thumb carefully over an item as he
said Mr.. Hoover had requested him to do, which
item was to the effect that the Commissioner
and others would celebrate Frankiin's birthday
by visit to the public schools The man said
however, that Mr.. Hoover would call for me on
Friday. l did not attempt to hold my breath
until Mr.. Hoover should call. and since his STAR
appeared he has discontinued his attentions to
me entirely.
On Franklin's birthday enjoyed visiting a
school. and perhaps no proverb impressed me
more than Experience keeps dear school. but
fools will learn in no other" | ought to state
here. that between my two interviews with
the collector, L met a Trend whom asked.
do YOU know one Hoover" What Zell
Hoover" Il suppose So He signs himself
4. Hoover. Do you know anything about him?"
u never had anything to do with him, but
have heard that he was one Of the biggest beats
in the District
l have heard that sort of thing from many
quarters since Fran1n's proverb with regard
to experience was impressed on my mind but
that in every case the fellow manages his cOllec-
lions SO that no one can hold him legally.
suppose it was an advertisement in THE STAR.
under the head of Situations Wanted" which
gave him his cue for collecting in my case
People from whom he collects are deferred
from prosecuting him from the hopelessness of
convicting him; and his family and relatives are
said to be so remarkably estimable in every way
that people shrink from wOunding them through
exposing him, but when think of his approach
ing people who with difficulty have spared the
money for their advertisements in order to COL
lect from them the last dollar they can borrow
it seems to me that their feelings are to be first
considered. OF course in this departmental
city he can always find victims, and If the law
cannot stop his practices he will continue them;
but by my speaking in meeting some for the
time being may be warned One man said he
was crank. Then send him to st. Elizabeths
Less skillfull collectors get into prison cells;
but if his cunning and crankiness deserve an
asylum restraint, let him have it. The protec-
ton afforded the public will in either case be the
same. BITTEN