The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-07
A NEWSPAPER BLOCKADE.
Chicago People Want the News-The
Daily Paper Is a Necessity.

Daily Paper Is Necessity,
Papers free with every neal was the
wise sign a restaurant-keeper In Clark
street put out IN front of his establish
ment this afternoon, after all the import
ed papers had been exhausted. He had
no difficulty IN thus enticing men VINO
hungered alike for news and provender
into his place and those who were strang-
ers TO the place did not leave, either
when he explained that he only lent the
papers 10 guests while they were eating
and would look for the return Of them
upon the departure Of each guest. In
some cases "a deposit was required ana
was generally forthcoming.
a man found i'm an unconscious condl-
ton on a side street running from State
street, furnished the police with a mys-
terry this morning. When he came too
he told the police that he had been as
saulted by an unknown man for some
cause or other he did not explain. lie
had his watch, valuable iewelry and
sum Of money with him. but nothing OF
value had been taken from him. He
said he had no enemies and could not
imagine why any one should have tack
led him in broad daylight. The man
who made the assault was well dress
ed and intelligent I'm appearance. lie
struck his victim just one blow from
behind. Detectives were sent out, and
the man was requested 10 wait about the
station while Investigations were being
made. He took a chair and began
searching his pockets. and the express
sion on his face soon told story OF
disappointment He had been robbed,
after all. His Joliet News had been
stolen.
Several small boys. accompanied by an
adult accomplce OF sufficient burliness
70 protect their property. organized cor
pOration whose sole stock in trade was
a Cincinnati paper. This Trey leased
out 20 men I'm tse parks. charging a cent
a minute for a glance at the war news.
They had many customers. and issued
checks 10 them In regular barber-shop
style. They were reaping a rich mar
vest until their accomplice, betraying
their confidence. ran away with their pa
per. They complained TO the police, but
got no encouragem and az last ac-
counts were hunting for the man who
had so basely betrayed them.
The news club" is a new fad growing
out Of the present conditions Members
of clubs must meet at stated hours to ex-
change tidings on all topics, for when
each member IS expected 10 hustle.
The idea is such a good one under the
conditions prevailing that new parties
are got up I'm homes The best and lat
est papers are secured. and their con-
tents are read 10 those assembled while
scouts are kept out diminishing for later
information.
A uiy increase in the use OF telephones
for eocial purposes Is reported as many
inquire frequently about little affairs ~
which they are Interested with others.
The managers OF the theatrical and
other attractions are Oblieed 10 resort
TO extra posters and handbills 10 adver-
tise their plays. and to make the latter a
little more valuable a dash OF war news
IS generally thrown I'm.
While citizens manage 20 get some IN
formation as 10 the progress or the war
and events in the rest Of the world, they
are cropping in utter darkness as 20 az
fairs in their own town Men and women
may marry or they may be divorced. even |
may die. or they may come into good for
tunes: politicians may abuse their high !
offices. trusted employees may betray |
their trusts. railways may Kill people or |
ships may 90 down on the lakes the rest |
OF the world would hear II before the |
citizens OF Chicago. And for these rea- |
sons they are now crying How long, |
how long will this suspense endure?' |
They are uncertain as 20 all Things / |
don't know whether I'm alive or not, and |
when the dav comes when the papers |
resume there will bee a great decrease |
i'm the ranks of scepucs and croackers |
who never believe anything they see IN |
the newspapers
Indeed. the day has demonstrated that
the daily paper IS the chief necessity or
any community. great or small lt IS
given out late Tonight that the newspap-
er pressmen will vote in the morning as
10 whether or not they will work If nom
lnion stereotypers are employed. and that
an understanding has already been reach
ad with the foremen OF several shops by |
which they agree 10 work Off the papers.
II stereotype plates are furnished them
baltimore American.