The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-10
CAPITAL FAVORS
OPEN DOOR POLICY
Citizens Leave Them Unlocked
at Night Say Police
HOSPITALITY is MOTIVE
Sylvester Inclined TO
Think Residents Fear Unexpected
Guest Might Arrive i'm the
Dead of Night
}. W. DoNHELLv

Majcr Sylvester, superintendent Of po-
lice, says he believes the people of Wash
iaston are the most hospitable in the
world. The far-famed hospitality of Vir-
ginians in antebeilum days does not COM
pare with that of present-day Washing
tonians. Whether this condition has been
brought about by the migration of Vir-
gluians TO the capital the superintendent
is unable to say.
This spirit of hospitality is not con-
fined to any one class. From the impe-
cunious dodgers in the most congested
court IN the poorest section Of the city
to the northumberland who spends the
winter season in his sumptuous residence
in the vicinity of Dupont circle, all dis
play marked degree of brotherly love
and generosity.
Major Sylvester made his discovery sew
eral nights ago. He passed the word
down to his trusty patrolmen to make
thorough and complete canvass of the
outward barriers of every house in the
district. They were to pay especial at
tention to the windows and doors, and to
ascertain with what difficulty or ease a
prower OF the night might gain entrance.
instructions given to the several captains
We're to the effect that the canvass should
be made between the hours of midnight
and clock in the morning, when, 1t was
supposed, the trusty housewife would be
likely 10 make the greatest provision for
the welcome eTrny unexpected visitors.
$50 Invite Providers
The report was sent to headquarters
yesterday. The most sanguine hopes of
fb,a Eript aDdppf realized The
roll Of honor contained no less than 339
names of citizens who had far outdone
the Old custom of leaving 1.-The latchkey
hanging out" but left either the door un-
locked or a handy window unfastened,
OF in some cases wide open.
While the major had every reason to
believe that the housekeepers of the city
were irdulging In this kindly practice, he
had not figured on such charitable feel
ing from business men as was evnced
by the condition of their offices. A prom
inent real estate broker with offices in
G street northwest, between Fourteenth
and Fifteenth, not only is accustomed
to leave his door open. but also leaves a
window unlocked. Whether he had left
a note fol a tardy client or merely be-
lieves in the open door policy, the major
WAS not in a position to state. The
same kindly feeling exists among a num-
be. of business men in F street and
Penns yivania avenue.
There is a kindly disposed druggist in
the vicinity of Wisconsin avenue and M
street who believes IN making every al
lowance for clients who might become
suddenly III, and. accordingly, discounts
the Use of a lock and key to his bust
ness.
Monuments mt All Hours
There also is a public-spirited citizen
ms a ming a mn ant a
In the vicinity of Mount Olivet GENE
terry who leaves his office open all night
evidently in the expectation of a sudden
death, followed by the necessity of an
immediate order for monument.
Whether the people of the northeast
section have become tired of their horses
is not known, but some strong feeling
prompts a number of them to leave their
tasbles wide open.
The people of Columbia Heights seen
to have great faith in human nature
especially the residents of Euclid street
between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets
as there were no less than eight front
doors in that block found unlocked. How
ever, they are surpassed by the tenant:
on Bates streets, between North Capito
and First streets northwest where twelv.
philosophical citizens keep open house
during "a hours of the day.
The faithful major domos of severa
magnificent residences on Connecticutave
nue., between r and S streets, also were
found mapping, having neglected to loci
their front doors. while Vermont avenue
in the vicinity of Thomas Circle has sew
eral houses needing the services of lock
smith.
From Georgetown to Anacostia, the pc
| lice state, few blocks were found with
out an unfastened door or window, Will,
| over on Congress Heights many a gat,
was found open, allowing the early-risins
rooster to seek a new home or fall al
easy victim to a wandering hobo.
For RENT Wheeler & Viii
son and Singer sewing ma
chimes. Singer Sewing Machine
Comnanv. 2123 Sd avenue.