The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-19
ETIQUETTE FOR HOLD.UP CALLS
4 CODE or MANNERS YOU MAY
NEED IN THIS SOCIiL SEASON,
And Here II Is After Consultation With
Experts In The Fashionable World
Particularly Take Note OF the Pro-
cedure In Notifying the Police.

]
What should you do when a hold-ur
man calls at your front door? Although
this has become one Of the most perpleXing
questions Of social etiquette in New York
the recognized authorities on dress de-
pertinent and social conduct are strangely
silent on the point.
The term -hold-up man" ms used II
this sense, does not apply TO the common
or garden variety OF hold-up men, suci
as insurance solicitors automobile agents
and persons with charity subscription lists
IT applies to the high class hold-up man
He may be told from the other kind be
cause he wears a gun and mask.
The sun has been al some pains TO col
lect opinions on this subject from au-
thorities on etiquette and department
The Hon Binky Dink. William Stephen
Dcfery, Bat Masterson and Rosey the
Lawyer have all contributed opinions
and the result is the following important
contributions TO the literature of conduct:
The proper time for hold-up calls is
between c and P. NJ. The caller should
be dressed in a business suit and quiet
flannel shirts, with or without crayats,
are much favored this season, Masks for
the spring mode Of 1905 are cut rather
long and should be Of durable dark ma
terial. silk handkerchiefs have gone COM
pletely out Of fashion for this purpose.
The authorities agree that the receiving
party may use the widest latitude in the
matter of dress. The delightful feature
of a hod-up call is its unexpectcdness,
and any appearance of special preparation
is vulgar as tending to put the visitor
IN at ease. Some of the best people have
received such visitors in bath robes and tea
gowns The rule remains, the widest
latitude OF negige attire is permitted.
The butler or maid should receive the
caller at the door. The proper course for
the well trained servant at this point Is to
telephone TO Police Headquarters. The
maid will be referred to the Chief Of the
Detective Bureau who viii take the num-
her of the house, name of the owner and
lessee, name Of the bold-up man, previous
convictions If any, color and eyes and hair,
and state of the weather. He viii then
look up the police record and Bertllon
measurements OF the criminal and report
back that a detective l. already assigned
to tho case. and will probably arrive in the
course of the evening.
II gives the hold-up man time to proceed
at his leisure, and il prevents the servant
or servants from observing any undignihed
conduct on the part of the master or mistress
Of the house.
Raise your hands when commanded,
with dignity and yet with speed. The
fingers should be joined and extended
and in this, as in all other gestures the
wrist should lead the hand. In that posi-
ton, greet the visitor pleasantly, and yet
without that overcordiality which Is always
n sign Of i'll breeding.
ia it loaded7' ia considered taotful
remark
From this time forth your conduct must
be governed entirely by circumstances and
by the temperament of the caller. which
you should tactfully endeavor to ascertain.
Only few very general rules can be laid
down.
II he asks first for money il is we'll to be
provided. 1t is against the policy Of this
column 10 furnish the names and addresses
Of firms dealing in patented and proprietary
articles. but many persons in New York
advertise a high class line OF imitation
Treasury noies--can't he told from the
real even ny hNNtIhtitfIN expert at
the rate Of g 900 for $50. judicious in
vestment IN merchandise of this character.
will materially reduce, IN the course Of
season, the expense Of this form Of enter
tanning. These little points may be valu-
able to persons Of moderate income, since
the increasing lavishness Of modern enter
tanning taxes all but the longest purses.
If the hold-up man happens to have
taste for iewelry, guide his attention TO
your special set Of rhinestones and Trans
vaal gems, which are kept in all well ordered
houses, now that hold-up calls have become
30 popular, Give up with seeming re-