The Washington times., 1906-12-14
Mad Rush of Shoppers
at Store Opening Re-
Sembles Charge of
an Army.
STRUGGLE LIKE DEMONS
TO GAIN ENTRANCE
Torn FrOCkS and Coats Re-
suit of Officers Inability to
Cope With Mob.

Seven burly policemen We're the chief
factors IN the opening of new ten
cent store in Seventh street this morn
ing. and for two hours II looked as II
She hospitals might be called o. for con-
siderable attention before the day was
over. However, accidents Were pre-
vented. and by II o'clock all panic dan
gers had disappeared.
For some DAYS past il has been known
that the new store would open at 10
o. clock this morning, but the authorities
were not prepared for the warmth OF
welcome on the part of the public.
AT @ clock the clans began 10 gather.
Feminine Washington had manitestly
had It's breakfast soon after the break
OF dawn, and long before Office workers
We're seeking their duties the cars were
nlled with prospective shoppers.
Police Calls for Aid.
a big policeman stood in front OF the
store but about $50 o'clock he made
his way brisl1ly down Seventh street to
the patrol box. and mad heart 10 heart
talk with his chief. with the result that
SIX more bluecOaJs soon came tramping
up and not much too soon.
BY O'Clock the crush was terrific
Women by hundreds pushed up against
the narrow door space and the seven
policemen had all they could do to avert
serious accidents. Paying no attention
10 the warnings OF the Officers that there
was grave danger IN their repeated ef-
forts TO be the first in the store. the
crowd pushed its way close 10 the build
ing. For time IL looked as II the oig
glass show windows would give way,
and so persistent were the women ia
their efforts to get into the store that
even the danger Of the glass crushing in
had no effect on them.
Policemen Powerless.
When the doors were finally opened
there was a mad rush for the inside
A thousand OF mere women jammed
their way past the almost helpless po-
hcemen, trampinR each other tearing
this ones coat and that ones gown in
their eagerness to get inside. The seven
policemen lowered above the crowd and
a half block away pedestrians could hear
them shouting their warnings to the
crowd. People We're literally picked up
and forced into the store by the terrific
rush; children whose mothers had
brought them down town for the days
shopping, We're helpless and even the
big guardians OF the law had 10 stand
their ground with aA the physical force
In their power in order not 70 be carried
away by the frantic crowd
This condition prevailed for at least
two hours, and even then it was almost
impossible TO get inside the store. Oc-
caslOnally the policemen would permit
the door to be opened and allow one or
two persons to go inside as theirs would
come out.
Thought Whole City There.
How many people are in there?" a
passerby asked one OF the big police
men.
THE city of Washington" the blue
coat answered. And Il looked as if
there might be a goodly portion Of the
capitals population.
What's the use Of going inY' said
81 woman who came out with her hat
over one eye and her clothes looking as
II she had been sent through a wash
ing machine, ''you can't buv anything
IL you get in"
Whether indications point 20 the fact
that this is TO be q cheap Christmas
and gifts are to be regulated by the
nickel and dime limit has not been made
clear. but one of the big policemen said
it looked that way to him.