Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1910-09-16
Current Comment
HoopLING ON OCEAN STEAM
SHIPS.

| Some men could no more noodle
| than they could fly. They do not pos
sess the necessary temperament; theil
very nervousness, the fear of detection
| would give them away. And yet it is
| amazing how many men aboard ship
| do possess the necessary temperament
The correct definition of the term
"hoodling,' is the slowing away OF
food pilfered from the pantries for the
personal gain of the pilferers. And if
| the system is not matter of wonder
! ment, the extent of it is certainly sur
prising.
Everybody does it," declared my
companion in the Montreal tavern. The
assertion is rather too sweeping, but
few ships are immune from the prac-
tice. Very stringent measures are ad-
opted to prevent 'hoOdling," but the
pilfering is so adroitly accomplished
and the practice is so common, that
detection is not easy. 1t is the sheer
audacity of the 'hOodler" very often
which carries him through. A pan full
of roast chickens will be placed in a
passage ready to be passed on to the
carvers. Someone will come along and,
STOPPING down quickly pick up a bird,
slip it under his apron, and walk away
as if nothing had occurred. \ tea
caddy will be left open for a few mo-
ments. During the short space of
time occupied in filling a pot with
water handful of tea has disappeared
Dishes of expensive fruit come out of
the saloons after a meal; it is a rare
occurrence for the oranges, apples and
grapes to find their way back to the
fruit cupboard.
The rest is simplicity itself. Other
passengers are supplied from the store
which is rapidly accumulated. Cups Of
good strong tea at Sd each find a ready
market. What hungry and parched
emigrant who has the money would not
gladly give a like amount for a nice
orange or apple. Chickens will fetch
shillings each, and the purchasers
display as much sagacity in keeping
the transaction secret as the men who
sell them do.
Oh, yes, the "hoodler" gets found out
sometimes. If he is a good Iaan and
popular with the officials, he may get
off with a caution; sometimes ne loses
his place, sometimes he is arrested
when the ship reaches port. But men
consider the gain worth the risk and
the game goes on.
One form Of "hoodling" is very con-
temptible. Cheap oranges are pro-
vided for. the steerage passengers on
most ships, but far greater number
come out of the stores than find their
way to the tables. The remainder are
retailed to their rightful owners at two
pence each. And then it is found
that the tea has given out, and the
passenger has either to drink coffee
or leave the table thirsty. \ poor
woman with a pale face and no appe-
tite says, Cant have a cup of tea;
I've such a wretched headache, and |
can't drink this coffee" What's the
number of your bunk" the attendant
will ask, and perhaps out Of the very
tea which should have been used at
that particular meal a cup of the re-
freshing beverage is brewed, and short
II afterward handed in at the bunk in
dictated. For such "favors' substantial
tips are readily Forthcoming. All these
tips and purchases are in addition to
what the travellers are expected to give
when the tray goes round at the end
of the voyage.
I dare say the reader will feel
righteously indignant when he reads all
this. I have been steward on an At
lantic liner. and while there are some
forms of "hoodling'' which merit con-
tempt know the temptation.
Three pounds a month, oftentimes
working sixteen hours a day, white
overalls to purchase, uniforms to buy
if he would have a chance of getting
tips, something deducted every trip for
breakages, and half a crown every trip
for the man who keeps his sleeping
apartment clean and tidy! What is
there left for the wife and children
ashore London SUNDAY Chronicle.