The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-01-12
LOCAL TALKS.
what Persons. Prominent and Other
wise. Find 10 Interest Thorn,


William II. Kermit is going on nigh
twenty-four years since have been con-
nccted in various capacities with the Ma
tional Hotel and for a considerable por-
ton of that time my attention has been
given to the check room. Let me tell you
that man has to keep good level head
in order TO see that the proper owners re-
Ceivc the property consigned to my care.
All kinds Of schemes are rcsorted TO for
the purpose of obtaining baggage that has
been checked. Only last week Il man
came in and stated that he had lost his
check and wanted satchel he had left.
He was informed that unless he could
identify II he could not gain possession of
IL. The same afternoon n Colored man
presented a check and said that he had
been sent from the Baltimore and Poto-
mac depot for a mans baggage and the
number of the check correspondent with
that given by the man who had lost
check in the morning. ] took possession
of the check and showed the colorcd boy
the door and he was mighty glad to get off
that easy. 1t was learned aftcrward that
he had found the check in front of res
taurant on Sixth street, near the depot.
There have been but few complaints
made in regard TO missing baggage in this
chcok-room. There are articles stored
away here that have been awaiting
claimants for years, and Q good many of
them must belong to dead people.
There are overcosts, yalises, umbrellas,
fishing rods, baskets, false teeth, wooden
shoes, gum coats, canes, patent models,
and innumerable other things. Nothing
is given out TO n person whom have
reason to suspect without an order from
, The business Office. am on duty from
$50 a. m. until 10 p. m, and am thus
given very good opportunity of scru-
tnizing nearly every one who checks and
takes out packages.
Colonel Jack Brownie is something
strange how people will come to Washing
ton hoping and expecting to get Gov
crpment position, and when they find
they are not in 1t, how they will hang
around Washington and live from hand
to mouth. Ii is n miserable existence,
and yet these people cannot be induced to
leave so long as they can get enough to
keep soul and body together.
Charlie Manu- have been doorkeeper
Of the House Press gallery for a long
while and have had 1t in for one of the
fellows in the cngine-room for some time.
have at last succeeded in getting even,
sent down the other day to have water
pipe regulated, and he sent me word to
send q messenger down to dot. Our good
friend Decker, the doorkecper at the out
side there. has no hands, so fixed it with
him, and sticking monkey-wrench I'M
der his arm got him to go down. The
gentleman, down stairs was paralized, and
Ihave had no trouble since.
James l.. Barbour-What a valuable
amount of time is wasted considering and
rcconsidering liquor licenses when the
whole business could be settled so much
quicker by adopting methods that are
business.like and expcdient. think a
man should be given his license If he has
the required number of signers, and not
refused on the recommendation of the
police, who sometimes may unconsciously
do the applicant an injustice, and some
times the objection is made against the
man OH personal grounds; for, policemen
are human and subject to vindctive
feeling like the rest of mankind. If the
Commissioners want to limit the number
of restaurants let them refuse to license
new places, but the idea of trying to en-
force the four-in-a-block rule, and the 400
limit, is simply ridiculous. If there are
seven men doing respectable business on
a block what right have the Commits
sioners to deprive three of them of an
honest living; or on the other hand close
up n number of saloons to bring the mum.
Der within the majestic limits of the ex-
elusive 400? Such action is indecent, lille
gal and unworthy of the men who are
supposed to rule on all questions affecting
the District with fairness and impair.
TALLY.
Henry f. MeGraun--I hope the Com
missiOners and the people will get to-
gether and settle this license question. II
would be best either to close up all saloons
or grant a license to every man who can
show clean record as dealer. / am
opposed to the 400 limit, because il is un.
fair, and reputable dealers will have To
suffer.