The Washington herald., 1909-04-16

A silent procession. somber and grim.
slowly and mournfully wended its way
through the streets Of the northwest sec
tion OF the city about midnight last
night II was not a funeral procession
only the big horse-pulled street cleaning
machines.
The drivers held the reins listessly. and
only at intervals deigned to address one
another. Then it was:
What's the use? These women has
taken our jobs away for fair" or
Reckon I'll begin looking for new job
is these club women don't quit buttin
an"
once or twice one OF the drivers sight
ed a wisp Of paper. and with quickening
pulse and a slight show of animation. let
down his big broom-roller and descended
upon the wayward paper like a bird Of
prey. For the most part. the drivers
drove sleepily along, with never the turn
Of a brush.
Women Give City N Cleaning.
This miracle, or seeming miracle. that
so impressed and depressed the unener-
getic drivers of the city cleaning ma
chimes. was brought about by the house
wives Of Washington. who imbued with
a frantic desire to see the city streets
and abutting lawns devoid CT trash, waste
paper. or dirt. started out bright and
early yesterday morning. armed for the
fray.
When finally, arms akimbo. they sur
veyed the fruits OF their labors il would
have taken a pretty strong microscope
TO discern a foreign speck or the immac-
ulate sidewalks, and driveways.
And last night the members OF the
Twentieth Century Club which organiza-
ton inaugurated the movement a few
weeks ago, were congratulating one an
other on the success Of their efforts
Guess that looks bad. eh?' asked a
busting matron. as she surveyed with
flushed face a long expanse Of level white
street sidewalk, and green lawns, de-
void Of any jarring note in the way OF
paper or debris.
Not a bad mornings work. is it?'
she queried- You see, I started in about
8 O'Clock this morning and in a very
short time had everything spick and span
All the neighbOrs were enthusiastic. and
had their property cleaned of. and what
little was left was soon made way with
by my followers and here she pointed
TO an array Of grinning boys and girls
and a few Of the neighbors' servants.
who had taken keen interest in the
chase for the elusive blot on city streets.
Took But Little Effort.
This matron declared she had no trou-
bic, had need 10 put forth very little ef-
fort, and met with hearty cooperation
on every hand Not so with ali the cru
saders in the cause OF municipal cleanli-
ness
One housewife. who had always prided
herself on the Immaculate condition Of
her home. answered ring at her front
door yesterday morning. An enthusias-
tic crusader Immediately pointed out 10
her a profusiOn of dirt, leaves, and
broken crockery One of her best and
largest plants had blown from a win
dow sill. shatIering itself on the front
steps and lawn.
You will have to clean that up imme-
iiately." was the ultimatum Of the cru
sader, more enthusiastic than diplo-
matte.
Who are your was the answer.
well, don't know as 1t matters who
I am, but I am one OF those in charge
Of seeing that the streets and lawns are
kept clean-and you had better clean
that up Immediately
Orders Gone Wrong.
A moment OF silence, silence charged
with vibrant waves Of a deafening ex-
plosion. followed. Then the housewife
controlled herself sufficiently to blurt
out:
We'll. Of all the impudence, I viii
clean up this dirt when it suits my con-
venience- And, as for you, would thank
you TO clean up your own premises and
attend to your own affairs. I viii at
tend to mine"
The front door banged and the cha
grined crusader walked 10 the corner to
think it over.
While the members Of the Twentieth
Century Club may themselves not have
picked up more than a million wagon
loads of paper and debris. their campaign
bore its fruits and brought about prac-
ucally the same results as II each one
had temporarily become a fun-hedged
white wing"
This was explained by one housewife.
who has sad trouble with negligent serv-
ants.
One Servant Was Busy.
"Wednesday" she said. Il called to my
cook several times without receiving an
answer. finally went TO investigate and
descended into the basement. There I
found Sarah working like Trojan. She
was picking UP little chips Of wood. and
didn't even overlook few of my hus-
bands cigarette papers where they had
dropped from his pocket.
I said TO her: I wish you would stay
In or near the kitchen so I can communi-
cate with you when l want TO-, and she
replied:
Lordy. Miss Kath'rin. I amt gwine
to have none of them 'spectors finin' me
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