The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-15
AT THE HOTELS.


Queer, amt it?" remarked Michael 8.
Dougherty. OF New York. a private detec-
tive OF that city. who was seen at the
National last night. Its queer what
superstitions crooks do have. They're
worsen saiIormen, and their notions are
a heap more foolish. I've collected
few thieves superstitions in my time.
and If you're interested I'll tell You a
few OF em.
well. in the first place. II you ars
on your way 10 rob a bank and see a
squint-eyed woman coming. hurry back
and take a new start. If you haven't
time TO do that, be sure yoa get the first
peep at her. Get the drop on her, 50 10
speak Then cross your fngers-your
left fingers. Thisli make the hoodoo as
powerIess as a toy pistol
For instance. there was a Phiiadel-
phia crook that robbed a bank. Just as
he was about TO dynamite the vault the
eross-eyed Janitor who was looting the
presidents wine cellar on his own hook.
faced him. The crook crossed his fingers
before the janitor. who was drunk. could
catch his eye. so the hoodoo was killed
The thief was pinched. but he wasn't
Bit scared. though. for he knew he'd
got the drop on the sqaint-eyed man, 80
ne was safe. Next day he faced the
judge. looking real innocent, and though
the evidence was against him, he was
discharged. Then he wound up, I heard
BY clipping with the prosecuting attor-
ney's sister-in-law."
One OF the minor problems OF naval
warfare, according 20 Capt. Timothy J.
Miller. of Cleveland. Ohio. who was
formerly in the navy. and Is at the Ar
lington, is that Of deafness. caused by
heavy gunfre The majority OF naval
officers passing through the naval hos
pitfalls, said Capt Miller, suffer
from deafness. and among the officers
cosnected with the artillery arm OF the
service the same defect is observed.
Nearly every gun crew in the navy suf-
fers from deafness. and during a severe
naval action it Is probable that the firing
of guns and the bursting OF the enemys
shells would produce not only deafness.
temporary or permanent. among the per-
sonnet Of the ships. but also a dazed
feet of physical disablemept.
Il want TO cite a case in point" con-
tinued Capt Miller. During the Russo
japanese war. when the Russian crew
were taken off the Varisg. which had
been captured by the japanese. they were
not only deaf, but absolutely dazed and
helpless, and Surgeon General Suzuki, OF
the japanese navy, has stated that the
cotton wool plugs. which were served
out TO every man IN the japanese feet
before going into action, were found 70
be Ineffective.
"All the navies Of the world are on the
lookout for an efficient ear plug by which
the ears OF the officers and the men could
be saved from shock of the blast and
the pandemonlum OF heavy firing. while
allowing them 90 hear the orders given"
George s. Hoyf. Of Philadelphia, who Is
engaged in the banking and real estate
business, and who was seen at the Shore
ham last night positively declined to dis
cuss the street car situation in PhIladel-
phia. or Pennsylvania, or any other poll
tics.
What subject are you most interested
in outside of your own business. Mr..
Hoyt?"
Patriotism" replied the Philadelphia,
and In America moro than in any other
country patriotism has 10 be taught, hot
because American children are naturally
less patriotic than other children, but
because Of the large proportion of alien
children from every country assembled
IN the schools. They must be taught TO
be good Americans.
1T Is an entirely wrong idea that to
train children In the arts of war is i'm
planting into their young hearts the spirit
OF strife II Is the duty Of every country
TO prepare its citizens in the handling OF
weapons. that they may be called upon
in case of danger. when their home is en-
dangered from foreign enemies"
Gresham P. Lyons. Of San Francisco.
discussed IN New York some time ago the
movement for the protection OF witnesses
in law courts that was recently inaugu-
rated" said Andrew s Geary, OF New
York, lawyer. at the Riggs last night.
But 1 saw one of those contemplate
ana insolent lawyers worsted the other
day-by a boy. too" said Mr. Lyons.
Now, my son." the lawyer remarked,
haven't certain damaging reports been
circulated about your father lately?"
Il dunno what reports you mean"
Isn't there a report current 10 the ef.
feet that your father beats his wife and
robs hen roosts7"
80 you say" muttered the boy, sui
lenly.
so I say" shouted the lawyer, "and
now I ask you If that report isn't true.
Come, speak UP. Don't stand there Ike
a ninny.
is 1t not true that your father beats
his wife and steals chickens?'
Il dunno" said the boy. You'd better
ask him. He's settin' over there on the
49,