The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-07
THAT JuMPING-OFF FEELING.
Conductor Says It Is Wholly ImaE-
ination Due 10 Nervousness.

III nation Due TO Nervousness.
From the Washington Star
" One of the most amusing things that
hppen during the trips of the elevator to
q top of the monument" explained one
~ the Washington monument elevator
conductors to a reporter, "is the constant
Y of people about their feelings on ar
nval ar the top of the monument. All of
Ven state that they put little confidence
n themselves, as far as their personal CON
70 of themselves is concerned; that Their
Experience has always been on reaching the
Fof of high building or monument that
n ey feel impeled to jump off. Now, this
#eHuS Is all pure imagination; for, as a
4 iIter OF fact, there is no jumping off of
n tops OF monuments ever reported, and
a ne takes place, here or elsewhere.
Il J. presume l have hear 10000 persons
a flhS my experience as an elevator con-
y tgor tax about this irresistible desire
n 'ntoW themselves off into space and
fefnily' but l have always noticed that
I'M persons who talk the most about their
a Ter inability 10 control themselves are
IN most careful observers of the rules on
wing at the top, and that the idea of
mpns off never seriously enters their
iaS until they are safely landed on the
Y yl"o on their return from the top. They
H. constantly, however, about jumping
Y p"i II is all talk and in my opinion IS
4 'PN sign of nervousness or a conse-
Y eACe of the excitement caused BY the
\ w. IL Us the same way all over the world.
Il I'D connection with the towers. eXpo-
ION wheels and the like.
suicides now and then destroy them
IVES ny Jumping off mountains, but the
4 auS'ies show that there are more. sui
Ii' churches than from monuments.
'g same kind of talk is heard on the
lS reading to the dome of the capitol.
.'iF one who has ever been on the ton of
capitol knows that beyond the railing.
are no precautions taken to prevent
No'S from jumping off if they desire.
l'l the history of the capital shows
'"o suicides in connection with Jump
h ana those who suicided only used
t' "!g'hod because it was the handiest
lhe desire Of self-destruction seized
1 man or woman who talks about
ilD7 on monuments need not be
,'' Tor it is tons of gold TO a tooth
,o, nav they viii not injure themselves,
s.. ''HS,and'ns all the opportunities Of
., hhdreu never talk about jump
h.. +'' sNEfll surprised al nearing
PARENTS indulgeing in such talk. One
3.,. m recently said to me: Papa talks
s Jumping, but he can't jump as far
\ AUo'her evidence of this nervousness
t,,, AG"ment Is the statement heard
b, aoout per cent. of the visitors that
nj, distinctly feel the monument moving;
M, '' IS swaying with the wind. Indeed
5s., i's' the monument swaying when
y no wind at all ana they are iust
we about It as others are on windy
-o- NOW as matter of fact Inc
n,. .'!'.Hl does not sway with the wind 10
~ @lent whatever, and never has. Th;s
s,e-.tsu proven by accurate and careful
III, -uV observation But a certain ner-
To- OF visitors do sway, and the SWAY
H. Nohnned in themselves. They feel
,-7, as. the most If they go up the monu-
.,.b 'ller they have been sightseeins n
tirr4 ,oh Tor several days and are rgth-
ies al, Jul On this account | would al
rs, p ' VINO can 10 do the monument tho
lam 10y they are in Washington rather
,e, s'pohe it until their last day. when
-4r, are necessarily hurried ana not n,
lebh. properly appreciate the trip thor
and enjoy their observations"