The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-09-16

The Moulin de la GAZETTE, Paris
sumptuous ball room where the city's
criminal classes cOngregate for their
social whirl, has reOpened owing to
the urgent request of the prefecture
of police. Sometime ago it was or
dered closed by the municipal council
because it was declared to be the not
bed of young crime and the place
where minors received their first in
tense desire for distinction In the So
cial set of thugdom.
But crime has not grown less in
the gay Paris capital, in fact 1t has
increased. The police who without
the Moulin have not been able to keep
track of the criminals or ferrit out
the many crimes that have shocked
the city. have urged the reopening OF
the place and so it is that Paris Is
again to harbor the most remarkable
institution in the world, and the WIS.,
itor to the French capital will be able
to arrange with a detective from the
prefecture to go up the hill to the
reopened Moulin and see more very
wicked men in social relaxation than
collect in any other one place in the
world
Have no fear of violence inside. but
beware the wine shops round about.
where the apprentices of crime let
their bad passions ride uncurbed. In
side the Moulin they are curiOusly
suave and ceremoniOus. Harsh words
are not thrown recklessly. When a
dancer bumps another he begs par
DON "On examination you will find
the statement inexact" is as near as
they get to liar.
This is because they are fulfilling
the social ideal of their women. The
fierce girls are proud Of their gar
rioters and housebreakers as high spir-
tied exceptions to the sheep-like mass
of men. Their ideal is the iron hand
in the velvet glove; and they have
forced it on their men-within these
walls. Besides. they always have a
lurking fear. They know. perhaps.
what Goron SAID when he was chef de
surete:
Did the Moulin not exist should
have to invent it,"
For once Paris criminal has
brought a coup" Oif-has made
condition." as they call it-he feels
the attraction of the Moulin. The
police count on it.
You may ask: If he knows the pO-
lice count on his showing up in these
luxurious halls with his ill-SOtten
gains. why doesn't he wisely keep
away?
1t is more complicated than that.
He may, as rightly. argue that his alb
sence will be taken as still more sig
nificant. He may keep away one night.
two nights: but the thought will OBJ
trude: Il look afraid to show up.'
in the end he shows up. He breads
that his absence will be noted. If not
by the high police. then the camaros
("comrades') of two species; reckless.
loyal pals, who may laugh at him as
over-prudent; and the sinister Judas
comrade, shadowy and painful even
thousand times more dreaded than
acute detectiveS-in a word, the
seller" He may note the mans alb
sence-and put two and two to-
gether!
Every motive calls him to the Mou-
lin. His girl wants to show off her
new finery-to show to the other
women she is not tied to a non-pro-
Queer. She desires to dance and drink
and laugh with her man in these hours
of plenty.
Both crave their fling in the glitter
ing surroundings that mean success.
joy of life and social triumph to them.
And if the man has a more than usual
" black crime upon his mind he wants
to forget it in the razZle, hardening
himself in contact with others like
him.
He argues that to show up 'in SO.
ciety" is normal. In the usual course
of things, with nothing extra on his
conscience, he would show up at the
Moulin. Of course, if he spends a lot
of money it will be sign against him !:
but he will spend prudently. Quot.
He need only keep his mouth shut
and act normal!
So the Moulin always has been the
most productive stalking ground for
the Partisan secret police.
The detectives come disguised-got
I'D like honest burglars. thugs er bull
ies-how, it matters little. AS soon
as they put their nose inside the Mou
lin, they are spotted. The word goes
round:
There are gentlemen of the balloon
among u.s."