New-York tribune., 1902-08-17
CIVIL SERVICE SLOT N4CHINES,
Mp WALKER THOUGHT THE BOARD
WANTED THEM IN THE CRIMINAL
COURTS BUILDING.

-r. t,,,eers-on at the Criminal Courts Building
stood aghast yesterday morning Wheh Ho''
truck drove up and leposited d oo@etl pen'
tbe-sIot weighing machines on the sidewalk ana
.b trucl,noau proceeded to lug them into the oud-
ing and distribute them at the most oesiiaoIe
points in the corridors They laughed long ano
heartily however, when the same truckhleh anu
the same truck carted the machines away hait
hour later.
What tell do YOU think this place is?' inquired
the policeman at the building when the machines
arrived Amt you fellows tw'sted7 This ain
Coney Island" a.,
Rack to the woods" said the truckman' ois-
dainruIlv. DO you know what this piece o pape
hoe u,rit on IT, The truckman exhibited per
NIT signed by William H. walker Superintendent
OF Public Buildings. The policeman was not qui.e
satisfied however. Slot machines, according 10
his notion. were entirely out OF place IN PUBIC
building He called the tanitor, but that orhciai
Gould holm matters none. A messenger was tnen
rent TO President Cantors office, Mr. cantor Is
on his vacation, but his secretary. george W
Blake heard the story. Mr. Blake was greatly
disturbed and communicated with hr. Walker.
In the mean while the slot machines were placed
4, -osition Some were put near the entrance In
the rotunda OF the first floor, while others were
carried upstairs the elevators ana put near
the entrance to the courtrooms. barker arrived
, few minutes later and after filling his leather
lungs with a long draught Of oxygen he let loose;
Try yer weight gents!' he bawled- Try yer
weight on the new tangled slot machines Drop a
nennv in the slot an get a weigh"
"Aw get away yourself' cried a policeman
from the CITY Hail. who had been sent by Mr.
Blake Take them machines out Of here imme-
dateIv n not sooner. You amt got no right In
this place: It's a public building. Come now. move
lively"
The permit issued by Mr.. Walker had been
resc,nded and the machines had to go. Before
,bev went however. a bootback with swell
stand took up a position the steps Of the build
Ing This was the limit and the policeman who
first encountered the slot machines made dash
Tor the Italian But the bootblack was ready. and
when the officer drew near he slipped MS mana
IN his nocket and pulled little piece of paper
n was another permit from Mr.. Walker The
policeman ground his teeth.
Il s'pose they'll be putin In a hoochee- -coochee
issued a per-r-rmt for n fortune teller an frank
furter stand. ar POPCORN an rid lemonade
bazaar Sure. well put the summer resorts out av
Mt walker in response to Mr.. Blakes sum
mons appeared at the City Hall the double
You see" he explained. "a came to me
and said that the Civil Service Board wanted to
test certain weighing machine"
'.Whatr' exclaimed Mr.. Blake. The Civil Ser
vice Board wants to test a penny-in-the-siot ma
You can search me-" replied Mr.. Walker. 81
Mr. Blake almost exploded In effort to re-
frain from laughing.
How about the bootblack? he asked.
Hes all right He comes from my district
said Mr. Walker.
Mr. Blake decided to permit the Italian TO re-
main for few days Mr. Walker will be
quested to explain when Mr.. Cantor returns.