The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-10
BIG Dor CONTEST
ATTRiCTS CROWDS
on FINAL NIGHT
Hundreds Struggle to
Get Estimates in Hands
of = ArkS.
ENTHUSIASTIC TB20NGS
Business Office Stormei and
Window Glass Smashed
~ Su.tEeree1S.

~ All.tEeTeeuS.
The Washington Times Dot contest
the greatest Guessing contest ever
known in Washington. is closed
At y o'clock last night the last Of
the charts eligible Tor the four special
prizes offered 10 those person who hanc-
ed in the last correct estimates was re-
ceived over the counter
Long after that hour. however. csTi-
mates were received TO be considered
with those that had come in earlier. and
the fun office force was kept busy mark
ing the envelopes.
Announcement Next Sunday.
The list OF prize winners will be an
nounced in The Times Of Sunday. April
Il. one week from today.
From 10 o'clock on until I o'clock
there was a constant jam Of several
hundred enthusiastic guessers in front
OF the Times Building, struggling TO
get into line and hand in their esti-
mates. 13le line itself extended down
D Street half way 10 Ninth After the
big clock in the tower of the postofice
building showed that the time limit was
Up FOR those in line for the special
prizes. estimates were taken in at the
windows of The Times Office, and more
than hundred of them found their
way TO the records in this manner
Crowd Fascinated.
So fascinated and enthusiastic was
the crowd that many stayed to look on
after their envelopes had been taken in.
They hung about the curbstOnes. in the
street, ana even climbed on the window
siEs 10 set q look at what was going
on within. Even women became so In
terested that they followed the example
Ct the irrepressible street urchns and
clambered upon the bicycle racks and
window sills. peering anxously at the
busy scene ar the cmce counters.
shortly before Midnight, when the
crowd was az its taiclzcst. a man. IN his
Gag -rncss 10 gain an entrance 10 where
the counts were being received lurchei
against Jne door and SMASHED the glass
into ? thousand pieces
Inside everyone was begging for MS
chart 10 De taken Envelopes were
thrown over the high wire screen that
surrounds the business once and many
tooz their departure when they had seen
their chart and money-ladcn envelopes
alight on the floor Within the screen.
Shawer Of Envelopes.
Many got their can numbers mixed
ard attempted to get ahead Of those
who were entitled to pYecedc therl. and
Il was when they failed 10 10 this that
the shower of envelopes began TO pour
over the screen AS time went by the
excitement grew more intense and the
comments more earnest
I've put IN three charts already"
said one enthusiast.
There is difference Of only four in
the numbers have guessed. but 1 be-
leve IN go IN AVID get another"
Like Election Night.
shouldering his way through the
CROWD he bought a copy Of The Times
and went 20 work at the writing desk
where a number Of others were pom
dering over the elusive dots.
Saturday night FOUNDERS drifted along
the street by the score.
Gosh, said one, as he looked at the
crowd. II didn't know there was an
election t0daE."
Election nothin'," said con. .panion.
There's a prizefght on ia san Fran
cisco
Bluecoats in Evidence.
Blue-coated minlons qe The law came
anC went Ever and anon their more II
AN-'- +--t--4 IA -A-hst eA-pt4b lIarlfr now.
Don't block up the pavement" wouri
be heard, but soon they would become
so interested in the contest and IN,
good humOr and enthusiasm OF those
VINO were handing in guesses that they
would forget TO urge the crowd 10 mo-
ton and would stand gaping with the
rest. As the crowd was most orderly
ana good humored at all times, tnels
was little fault TO be found
Waited for Returns
Many there were who thought that
the prize winners were 10 be announced
Immediately upon the close Of the con
test; and they hung on afler the doors
were closed. I'm order 10 hear the names
OF the fortunate ones; turning away re-
luctantly when they were informed that
II would take several days FOR the Duz-
zle editor TO even get his beariaga.
Force Played or
Late into the night the puzzle editor.
with several assistants. was kept al
work opening envelopes. SO heavy had
the work been that the entire force was
completely played cut
Never in the history OF washington
has a contest Of this sort aroused So
much interest II exceeded by far tha
expectations Of -hc most sanguinc and
showed the interest taken by the yVa4h-
ington public in a fairly conducted