The Washington herald., 1912-04-17
Intense Anxiety Witnessed
Here for First Time
in Years.
EXTRAS AT ALL HOURS
Newspaper Offices of the Capital
Are swamped with Inquiries.
Crowds Watch Bulletins.

Seldom, probably never before IN the
history Of the National Capital, has
washington witnessed such scenes or in
tense excitement, anxiety. ana horror
as were seen throughout the District
last night when the full import OF the
Titanic disaster wedged into the hearts
OF the public.
Frcr dusk until long after midnight
the downtown thoroughfares were crowd
ed with men. women. and children read
ing extra editions OF newspapers, wait
ing fer more news OF the great tragedy,
and reluctant TO go to their homes for
fear the real story OF the leviathan' 5
sinking should hitter through the wire
less and over the telegraph wires to
Washington.
Extra details OF policemen were sent
downtown from the various precincts 10
maintain order and these men were busy
throughout the evening though no serious
trouble occurred Newsboys shouting
''wuxtra'' created much noise, but no
harm. In the newspaper otflces the
rooms where the extra editions were dis
tributed to the boys were scenes OF con-
fusion and disorder. Innumeraole INST
fights between the youngsters were wit
messed.
E1aENCaNA VI
So profitable was the selling Of extra
editions that men Joined the boys and
reaped haryests of nIckels. II is esti-
mated that more than 5000 men and boys
were in The streets selling papers, and
the shout OF the ''newsies' were heard
even in remote suburbs. The cries Of the
men and boys kept the city In con-
slant turmoil OF excitement until long
after midnight.
Telephone switchboard operators in the
newspaper offices were swamped with in
duiries from the city and out-of-town
points Thousands of such queries were
received at each office, and II was neces-
sary to place extra operators at work to
answer the questions. Throngs remained
in front of the Offices until late reading
bulletins, watching the distribution OF
extras, and discussing the latest phase
of the sea tragedy.
The scenes recalled the days when the
city was thrown into a turmoil of ex-
element by the news of the destruction
Of the battle ship Maine, the San Fran
cisco earthquake horror, the burning Of
the General yjsloeum, the Iroquois Thea
ter fire, and other epochal calamities in
which hundreds Of human lives were
destroyed by fire or water.
In the theaters could be seen hum
dreds of newspapers being hurriedly
scanned in every part OF the audience
during intermission, and when the
shows were ended and the crowds flock
ed to the streets newspapers sold like
wildfire. escorts buying papers for
themselves and those with them. In
many instances boys were handed a
quarter for a handful of papers
In all of the cafes and restaurants
the tables held newspapers, and late
earlier papers taken away by walters.
eorlier papers taken away by waters.
Even in the kitchens of the hotels and
restaurants the newspapers were read
and the sole topic of conversation SEEM
ed to be the Titanic horror. Even street
car conductors. policemen. messenger
boys, drug clerks. and moving-picture
show employees held newspapers in their
hands while going through the routine
Of duty.
Aid New York Forces.
A small army Of newspaper reporters
left Washington before midnight for
New York City to aid the forces in the
metropolis in gathering the million and
one details Of the big story that will be
revealed to the world when the news
gatherers board the Carpathia. Advices
state that special reporters are being
cent to New York from most of the big
cities. as nearly all of the large centers
Of population are represented in the pas
senger list OF the Inflated Titanic.
Until the reporters can get into direct
communication with those on the Car
pathia the real story viii not be told.
At Union Station 1t was stated last night
that the number OF persons leaving
Washington for New York was many
times the usual number, and 1t is prob
ably true that relatives and friends OF
those known to have been aboard the
Titanic are already leaving for the me-
tropolis in order to get the first news
wirelessed to The city when the Carpa-
thia gets close enough to transmit mes
cou fruFf ~