Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-26
bud sHEETS mi SMALL BEDS
C%uFioHs Features of the Nine-FOot and
Other Laws I'm Operation in
Oklahoma.


-
The Oklahoma n,ro-foot sheet Is coming
into It's own. The novel bill requiring hotel
keepers TO furnish every bed with linen of
that length so that II would Zap over was
received with derision when It first passed
tho legislature and became a law. Wide
spread publicity was given the statute be-
cause Of It's originality. All sorts Of puns
were poked at the new states lawmakers
by eastern newspaper writer's. In Okla
homa criticisms we're not lacking But the
law remained on the statute books and
measures have been taken by inspectors.
provided In the bill, to see to its enforce
ment.
These officials, who nave Just finished an
extensive tour Of the state, report that with
very few exceptions the letter Of the law is
now being obeyed, and in the hotels to
which It applies the sheets can now be
Tapped over by the longest patron.
In numerous and remarkable ways the
meaning of the law Is being brought home
to the landlords. not q few of whom form
erly were delinquent in complying with It.
Probably the most unusual method OF in
Producing the regulation sheets was CON
ceived and is now being carried out with
great success by an enterprising st. Louis
firm. The introduction is simple, at the
same time usually successful. An .illustra-
ton Of its practicability occurred a few
days ago at Muskogee. An elderly man Of
dignified mien toiled up the stairs to the
office OF one Of the hostleries. Under his
arm he carried a large volume, morocco
bound, having all tho outward appearance
OF legal lore. Before registering he de-
manded an interview with the landlord.
That dignitary putting in an appearance,
the stranger, who gave his name as DR.,
r. r.. Carswell. took the book from under
his arm. opened It and began to read the
law requiring the nine-foot sheets.
rs your hotel fitted with these?" he in
CURED suaveiy.
The Muskogee landlord confessed that he
had not compiled with the law, and diplo-
maticaIly requested that no suit be brought,
declaring his intention Of looking after the
matter at his earliest convenience.
The dignified stranger hesitated, as
though considering the business mans
explanation. Suddenly he reached in his
ample coat pocket and extracted something
that looked suspiciously like a sample case.
He pressed a spring and thrust under the
nose OF the astonished hotel man a full
line of sheets-nine-foot sheets.
You see, my dear landlord" he ex-
planned. quickly. ''it is absolutely neces-
saTy that you comply with the law and
use the long sheets. why delay? 1 repre-.
sent a sheet making concern of st. Louis
We manufacture Just such a sheet as you
need. with on adjustable pocket effect that
slips over the mattress. Saves you thu
trouble of having 'em made up. How many
did you say you needed?'
The salesman made a hit" and befor;
tho landlord had recovered from his sur
prise he had scrubbed a few lines in his
order book and registered. satisfied. Their
he told the hotel man he had sold dozens
Of sheets in just the same manner in Tulsa
Sapulpa, Chickasha and other large town,
in the eastern part of the state.
A story comes from Marietta of the In.
genuity of a Jewish travelling salesman
representing a New York silk goods house
The travelling man appeared in the lobby
late at night in his pajamas, and, getting
the attention OF the landlord, held out {
tape measure. Excitedly he explained thai
he had measured the sheets on his bed ant
that they lacked fourteen inches OF beinl
nine feet, He predicted dire things as tn,
inevitable result OF the violation of the law
and ended by promising that he would
make no protest II three days lodging wer,
given him free. The confused hotel mar
promised and the drummer lived on the
fat" of the land as long as he was IT
town. He kept faith with the ~hotelkeeper
and the incident remained a secret until 4
leaked out in a conversation in the lobby
of an Oklahoma City hotel.
A Guthrie business man who travels q
great deal In the southeastern part OF tho
state tells this as an actual happenings:
lone Of the most ludicrous experiences
OF my life occurred at the little town OF
Alichi, in McCurtain county, not long ago,
The town consists OF a few business build
ings, all frame. Its nearest railroad is the
Frisco, forty miles away, The surrounding
country is settled by cattle men. At best
conditions are primitive.
1.-THE owner of the only hotel is q Jew,
named Solomon. One Of the patrons the
night l put up at the hotel was a long.
muscular cowboy, just fresh from the
ranch and chuck full OF mischief. He had
been reading a newspaper in which the
nine-foot sheet law was written up 1t
supper he eonfided to me that he was go
ing to get some fun out or Solomon before
daylight, He told me to be sure and
wait up in the lobby.
Il sat around the atuffy office for three
hours. It was nearly midnight, and I was
HANlo iAb ~ INNhts IO AdAluiplN "oe "
ing peacefully in hG chair behind the
counter. Suddenly, in the room above, |
heard a most unearthly noise. If l had
not been next l would nave haken with
fright, The landlord did. But before lie
knew what was transpiring heavy thuds
were heard on the stairs, and, much like
a Kansas tornado, the cowboy swept into
the office, clad in his nightshirt. In one
hand he held extended a sheet. In the
other was his revolver. the biggest gun
ever saw. He shook the sheet and marched
over 10 where Solomon sat. l felt truly
sorry for the bewildered man.
"Get up! commanded the cowpuncher
The landlord did, grinning foolishly
What do you mean, you little rat. by
having such a thing as this on my bed?
the big man demanded. Solomon openet
his mouth. but the words did not come.
It's an outrage! shouted the cowboy
Look here and he held the sheet out be
fore the p~rotruding eyes OF the landlord
DO you call that nine feet?' Solomon
shook his head wildly.
Then dancer commanded the tor
menter. And dance the landlord did, to tn
tune OF the big six-shooter. as the shot
beat a tattoo in the wooden floor
THE next morning the cowpuncher de
parted before anybody else was up."-Ney
York Tribune