Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-06-08


Washington society that has secretly
flourished for a long time. corroding
feminine morals and leading to un-
told financial stress on the part OF
foreign powers. We refer to the
habit of stealing. Stealing is the
proper word. now that the cat is out
of the bag. Heretofore this habit of
respectable society people mas been
euphemistically described as lifting
footing. "kleptomania." and so on.
Mr. Chambers. who is not hampeTed
by the considerations which have
forced the Washington press TO res
main silent. tells the whole story.
In discussing the robbery of buttons
from the Duke OF the Abruzzi, Mr..
Chambers writes:
1T is remarkable how many
thieves circulate in what IS described
as respectable society. In Wash
ington the habit of picking up little
silver or brass trinkets left unguard
ed in cloak rooms has become SO
notorious that ! am assured most of
the legations supply only the cheap
est toilet articles for use on sucn Oc-
casions. one ambassador. purely as
rebuke for some depredatiOns OF
this kind. had the silver hair brush
es. tortoise shell combs, and curling
tongs attached 10 the dressing ta-
bles by chains
1t may as we'll be admitted that
the relations of the United States
with certain foreign powers have been
severely strained as the result OF the
robbery of toilet articles from the
I legations by respectable American
women. The increase in the sala-
ries and allowances OF several am
bassadors was caused by this in
sane propensity. and the nations
which stagger under these expenses
have voiced their reproaches 10 the
State Department INA rather pointed
language.
Could language be palmer or more
to the point? It continues:
Not only have little silver and
brass trinkets disappeared. but side
boards and their contents. autOmo-
biles and other valuables have been
carried away. Many of the more re-
spectacle women In society are said
TO carry quantity carved wire-uip-
pers. with which they sever the
chains that are universally used I'm
legations and embassies 60 attach
toilet articles TO the house. Nail
pullers of unique design. jimmics
skeleton keys and neat little dark
lanterns are of course. Indispensable
articles in Washington social life.
Diuner-givers vie with one another
ia devising methods for retaining
their tableware Plates of unusual
value are usually screwed 90 the ta-
BILE. but a more satisfactory method
lis that of using paper plates. which
are not worth stealing. AS the din
ner-giver OF last night is the guest
OF tonight. there is a delightful va
riety and zest in the alternate hide
land-seok OF loot that Is well worth
the cost 20 the mult-millionaires
who compose the bulk OF Washington
society
IL Is when the impecunious am
bassadors and ministers OF friendly
powers are robbed that the practice
becomes a nuisance and danger 20
the worlds peace. Mr.. Chambers de
serves praise for his courageous eN-
posture OF the practice. and IL is 20 be
hoped that those females guilty OF
il will curb their abnormal appetite.
A word TO the wise Is sufficient.
No citizen Of color has made these
allegations. They appear in the col
umns of one Of the most reputable
Journals in the country and 81 coll
ored people will be permitted TO
smile broadly as they read these bit
. ing evidences of dishonesty in high
places the favor will be appreciated.
We have always been taught that
honesty was che best policy and that
wrong-doing would flourish only for
day.
It seems now that President Roose
Welt with all of his zeal is in the
midst of modern Sodom and Co
morrah and when he reached down
in Texas 10 punish the innocent mem
bers OF the Twenty-hfth Infantry,
much of his energy was needed in
the polite society Of Washington. II
is also reported that the ships from
Japan were robbed in a manner sim
liar TO that utilized in the case of
the Italians.
The slave owners did one good
thing. they taught their slaves TO be
honest and the evidence OF it was
shown when they went TO war and
left all of their money, valuables,
property and families in the hands of
one of the most faithful and devoted
races on the face Of the globe Well
il is a good thing that the Goddess
of Liberty on the Capitol and the
dome OF the Public Library are be-
yond reach and securely fastened OF
else some vandal might engage in
the business OF earting that away.
The colored brother may well be
happy and take hope for When it
comes to stealing the special white
folks are past-masters ct the bust
ness.