The Washington herald., 1909-08-03
THIEF LIFTS ROLL
OR CONGRESSMAN
Representative Reeder, OF
Kansas, Victim.
LOSES $1Oo AT UNION STATION
Lawmakers Lays HIS Purse on the
Counter While Buying Pullman
Ticket, and when He Looks for IL
IL L. COne-COmmOtIOn in Big Ter
mtnal When Robbery Is Reported.

Representative William A. Reeder,
member OF Congress from the Sixth dis
trict OF Kansas, left Washington yes
terday afternoon for an extended trip
through the Occident and orient Before
leaving the cares OF national legisla-
tion behind him, and giving a long, last
look at the tariff tinkers on the hill' he
incidentally dropped 800 in gold certif-
cafes and a lot OF small bits OF change
too numerous to mention.
In other words, he was robbed OF his
purse containing FIVE twenty-dollar gold
certificates. fresh. crisp. and out for the
first time on their joy-making errand.
Some lynx-eyed member OF the light
fingered gentry saw the prosperous-look-
ing member Of the House as he hurried
through the main corridor OF the Union
Station, headed for the ticket window OF
the Pullman Company. where he went TO
obtain a reservation all the way across
the continent.
Mixed Up with Crowd.
Representative Reeder approached the
window Of the Pullman Company which
at the time OF his arrival was surrounded
by a crowd OF anxious men and women
starting on journeys IN all directions.
Some Of The women present were not In
the best frame Of mind. and were acting
like women sunragists in front OF the
doors OF the House OF Lords or the
House OF Commons in London demand
ing the right 90 vote like men.
Others were pushing and crowding IN
a. Ia ND
politeness were IN strained relations with
some OF the members OF the crowd.
Representative Reeder patiently await
ed his turn to reach the window and oo-
tain the Pullman reservations he was 30
anxious 20 get Reaching the window
he took from his pocket a small leather
twist-clasp purse containing his feady
money. Telling the Pullman agent what
he wanted. and asking the price. he
opened the purse. drew out two so gold
certificates, and passed them over 20 the
agent IN payment FOR the pGsteboards
granting hin. the privileges and comforts
OF the capitalists car lie then laid the
purse on The window ledge.
His First Mistake.
There's where he made q mistake. and
made It possible for some quick thinker
with Hghtning-lIke action OF fingers %
separate him from the purse. When
Congressman Reeder looked around for
MS wallet, after placing the Pullman
tickets In an inside pocket Of his coat
the purse had disappeared as completely
as II Il had been one Of Uncle joe
Caunon's references Of an Objectionable
resolution 10 some committee where Il
would never again see rhe light Of day
To say that Mr.. Reeder was surprised
mystihed, and put out s. 10 draw q
mildly. after looking around and seeins
no sign OF the missing purse containing
such a snug little sum OF the coin OF the
realm. hc made a noise Ike a man who
was displeased. later as II he were mad
and finally as n he were angry.
The Getaway Was Clean.
He looked with en- eye OF suspicion or
the clerk in the Office. those standing near
by. and every one passing in the station
no one had seen any one touch the Rep
resentative's pocketbook. and al effort.
TO locate Il proved Of no avail.
Mr.. Recder, as last resort. IN the vair
hope Of recovering his purse and money
reported his loss TO the police az ths
station. These officers, uniformed ant
plain clothes men-got busy quickly and
made hunt the Ike OF which has never
before been recorded in the great marble
pile Their enterprise and strenuosity
we're futile. and Air Reeder left the city
minus more than 500 In good money.
He Is on his way 70 San Francisco
going by way OF Seattle and the fair. and
later viii sail for Honolulu and Chica