The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-24
NEW YORK TOPICS.
DRIFTS AN DUNDERCURRENTs OF
THE METROPOLIS.

Boss PIatt Being Succeeded by
New Political Triumvirate-Phys
icaI side of High Speed Records
Death of the Hobo Clubs Presi'
aent-HospitaI Perquisites for the
Ambulance Men-Wall street News
and Views.
New York. Nov. 22.-Predicting the
political downfall of Senator Platt is
a aiperilous form Of prophecy. 1t has
been done so often-and just as otten
the prophets have been confounded oy
the sight of the astute boss" serenely
seated in the place of power, after the
dust of battle had rolled away But
now 1t looks very much as II Platt
bossship were nearing its end. and for
the very good reason that there is no
dust of ba4tle-no battle TO raise any
dust. The "Old Man" has been quietly
but firmly thrust into the background
by the new triumvirate, Roosevelt
Odeu and Low, and the siren-soag OF
the local press. ringing the changes on
the theme of Republican harmony
has apparently soothed him into un-
CONSCIOUSNESS Oh Nlldl 10 ioPPN4AAAAS
him. The local Republican newspapers
haven't so much as hinted that any
thing of Importance underlies the per-
sistent disregard of the Senior Senator
in sarty matters. But the facts speak
for themselves. Questions OF policy in
New York state matters come up. Gov.
Odeu goes to Washington to see Pres
I111gaxra1f In0nnFfQnf
peintments are to be made: Mayor
elect Low goes to Washington to see
President Roosevelt. The question or
retaining Collector of the Port Bid
well, Senator Platts man, in office,
arises Gov Odell comes out against
him. Senator Platt sends his tactotum'
Mr.. Quigg, to see the President. Mr.
Quigg returns with his ear harborlng
what strongly resembles a flea, and
state Senator Stranahan, who, Senator
Platt had declared, was needed at
Albany" supplants Collector Bidweu.
Again in municipal appointments, the
"Old Man" is disregarded. Mr.. Low
appointments thus far have been, II
not anti-P Platt, at least non-Platt. All
that the Senior Senator can do is TO SIT
back and announce to the reporters, IN
somewhat dolorous tones, that the ap-
poinltments are satisfactory. He Is be-
ing shorn of all but the fimsiest trap
pings of power; but he does not fight.
Perhaps he sees that the triple combi-
nation against him is too strong. Or
rossibly he is one of those optimistic
souls who win not believe bad news
until it is forced upon them.
Even in these days of chronic rec
ord breaking such a performance as
that of Fournier, the French chauffeur,
III FrnnHh r9rinQ
machine a mile in fifty-one and four
fifths seconds on the Coney Island
Boulevard last week, is notable. TWO
of the other contestants came in well
under mile a minute. Experts now
predict that an automobile can be
built for a speed of two miles min
ute. Whether this speed will ever be
achieved, they say, is largely matter
OF strength and endurance on the part
Of the automobilist At a mile min
ute the strain on both nerve and mus
Gle is terrific. 1t is notable that the
three leading contestants in the Coney
Island Boulevard race are men of un-
usual physical endowment. Fournier.
for years, held many of the French
bicycle records. Foxhall Keene, who
came in second, is rated as the best
polo player in the country and a not
able all-around athlete; and A. c.
Bostwick. the third to finish, while
small and light, is an unusually pow
erful man and a fine horseman. 1t is
only a man of this stamp who can
Withstand the tremendous air-pressure
incident to a speed of more than a
mile a minute, even though encased
as the racers are, in the toughest of
leather uniforms and face guards. 1t
is suggested that a two-mile- "a minute
machine would have to be fitted with
shield for the chauffeur, from be-
hind which. looking through glass-fit-
ted eye-holes, he would operate the
levels and steering gear.
The appreciative mind can hardly
fail to be delighted with the ambulance
system as it is carried on in this city.
You may look for without finding in
stances of sprightly playfulness to
equal that of our hospital customs
One of their most engaging customs
is known as rushing the stiff" 1t is
common to nearly if not quite all of
the hospitals in Greater New York.
The rules of the game are sweet and
simple. If the surgeon on ambulance
duty brings in a stiff "a dead mani,
to the hospital he must buy keg of
beer for his fellow doctors and the
drivers. So. on every emergency call
the staff waits eagerly in the hope of
drinks to come. Should the patient
breathe his last as he is carried into
the hospital, the ambulance surgeon
is saved; but though the vehicle be
at the receiving door, If il is a corpse
that is lifted out. the joyous cry arises
"Set 'em up. Doc" and the order goes
to the corner saloon. Naturally, the
surgeon becomes particular as to the
cases he loads into his ambulance.
Sometimes he finds the stricken man
almost gone. Then he patiently waits
for him to die, and the dead wagon
gets the body. Sometimes a case
which gives promise of holding out,
develops alarming symptoms on the
way to the hospital. Then the order
goes to the driver to make all speed
In the race with death. Should death
win, the joke is on the ambulance sur
geon. If he gets there in time, the
Joke is on the thirsty souls in waiting.
II the patient dies from the jolting
and shaking of the ride, a result by
no. .means uncommon, the joke is on
we'll. / suppose IL is on the family and
friends of the deceased. If he has any.
Occasionally there are protests, but
nobody pays any attention to them,
and the public eye is daily enlivened
with that thrilling scene of an am
bulance at full speed. gong changing,
driver shouting. vehicles and pedes-
trians wildly scattering from its path
as IL makes its breakneck race-to save
the patients life? Not exactly. To
save the fiedgling doctor the price of
a keg of beer.
ENTIRELY unbiased by the important
consideration Of beer, the young doc
tors of the hospital staffs put forth