Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-01

ana seems to be making some most effect
i've speeches. for the republican party
X X X X
When man thinks he wants tn live
without working and is willing to do dis
honest acts he seldom finds any difficulty
In devising schemes which will catch some
oody. Detectives have so many expert
ences with such people that they are al
ways expecting to hear of supposed impos-
slollltles. and are never surprised at any,
thing. Capt. James A McDevitt, who was
connected with the local detective corps
number of years. and who is one of the
best-known detectives in the country, re-
lated an interesting story to a party Of
friends at police Headquarters one day this
week. The story was of an attempt made
to rob the wife of a baker in South WASH
ington by selling her fake silverware.
The bakers wife was on duty in the
store connected with the bakery" he said,
when a stranger, apparently a German,
entered and wanted to sell her a quantity
of silverware for $500 He told her that his
wife and children were detained at the GUS
tom house with their effects, and that it
was necessary for him to raise 800 in or
der to get them released He was relating
the story of his troubles with tears in his
eyes, when in walked tall, elegantly
dressed man.
.
he asked the woman behind the counter,
and the latter promptly informed him that
she knew of no such person. The elegantly
dressed man was surprised, he said, for he
had been told that the bakeShop woman
could give him the information about her.
He was about to CO. said Captain Nc
Dewitt, when he turned and admired the
outlay of Silverware. He then carried out
his part of the game by inquiring what the
man was going to do with the silverware;
He pretended he was very much surprised
when told that 5000 was what was wanted
for the outlay, and volunteered the 1nfor-
nation that it was worth $1,000 He SAID
he would make the purchase if the man
would wait until he saw Mrs. Williams,
and impressed upon the bakers wife that
he was extremely anxious to get the silver
at so small price.
When he had gone from the store the
man who had the silver became confiden-
tia1 and more anxious than ever that
the bakers wife should get the silver me
game was good one and well worked,
concluded the detective, but fortunately
the baker had locked his safe before going
away on his wagon and his wife could
not get the money
!; x X
Two wel:-known. handsome and popular
officers of the National Guard of the DIS
trict of Columbia who witnessed, In the
capacity of Observers the military maneu-
vers that occurred recently in the vicinity
of Manassas, Va, returned to this city, IN
the language of their comrades, "squelch-
ed by the Gainesville girls.
The camp of the District officers was
pitched at Gainesville, and not very far
away was a residence, the most attra GIVE
feature of which was the presence OF
bevy of unusually pretty girls. Not more
than day or two after arrival at camp
the two officers in question, who considered
themselves irresistible in their new olive
drab service uniforms. were properly intro
duced to the lovely lassies. They got along
swimmingly for several evenings, and were
supremacy happy, until, during lull IN the
ness, remarked:
when you return to Washington please
do not mention our names, because we know
some real nice people there.
At the expiration of two minutes the
dapper young men in uniform took their
departure, their opinion of themselves nav
ing sustained crushing blow.
1.-THE selling of tickets in public offices is
a nuisance that should be abated," was the
remark made to a Star reporter by a vic
tim of ticket sellers. 'Al1 the summer it
was tickets for excursions. and now the
evening entertainments have commenced.
I don't mind buying a few tickets during
the course of a year, but I do object to
feeling that L am compelled to give up
money for them to persons with whom
have to have dealings. These clerks, mes
sengers and other government employees
who are continually logging the footsteps
of people in the departments get paid for
their government service, and should at
tend to that instead of spending so much
time selling tickets.
ITO me- he added. SIT seems very much
on the order of graft or blackmai, for
the man who gives literally feels certain
that when he has any business with these
ticket fiends he will get extra favDrs If
there are any to be given. While l may
be able to spend money in this way. really
count it in the profit and loss of business,
and not as charity, 1t should be counted.
have been so greatly annoyed by these
people that almost dread going into some
offices because l am certain that I am GO
ing to be the victim of an official 'hold-up.'
Really, the habit has become a great null
sance, and cabinet officers and bureau
chiefs should inquire into the matter and
put stop to the practice"