South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-04-07
PEACOCK ALLEY IN
ANNUAL CLEAN UP
Fashionable Hotel Confidence
Gang Rounded Up BY Scot
land Yard Detective at $25,-
600 a Year.
BY GOTHAM KNICKERBoCKER.

BY GOTHAM OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
NEW YORK. April when
George W. BoIdt. of the Waldorf-As-
toria, decided several years ago that
he would put an end TO the business
OF numerous individuals who were
fleeing his patrons out Of several mil
lions a season. he did things thor
Oughly. He hired Joe Smith OF Scot
land Yard. and told him it was worth
$4,000 year 10 have the famous
hOsterly cleaned OF vermin.
Joe Smith organized a squad OF ten
men and women, known TO Mr.. Boldt
and himself about the Waldorf, where
they circulate in Fifth av. clothes. Mr..
Smith and his squad have just finish
ed their annual spring cleanup
Kitty Quick, Lord Harry Ravens,
and a third suave gentleman were at
the head Of the procession of elected.
They were sorely nettled at being pre-
vented from concentrating a plot to
sell stock in an imaginary gold mine
for 100000.
4 week previous one OF the Smith
women agents. passing herself as
shopper who took tea in the Wal
dorf frequently, observed Kitty, Lord
and a man. very active in entertain
ing a wealthy patron. They had the
plot so far along that the victim was
about to consult a lawyer" She sat
isfied herself that the lawyer the
wealthy patron would consult COT
his own volition. as he thought would
be a confederate of Lord Harry" he
OF the mauve spats and English walk
ing suit and the elegantly gOwned
Kitty.
Joe went into his Office and studied
the Waldorf collection of 5000 photo
graphs. These show faces OF conf
dence persons, hotel thieves and in
ternational crooks and Joe has been
20 years In assembling them. He also
looked over the imposing finger print
art gallery of the hotel secret service,
consisting largely Of interesting dupli-
Gates from the police headquarters Of
the metrOpolises.
Kitty was there and so was Harry.
few hours later a captain of wait
ers removed from the table at which
the confederates were dining a set of
glasses of which they had had just
time to take one sip. He used gloves.
The glasses were soon in Joe
Smiths studio. They were busted
with a prepared powder and photo
graphed. Joe smiled.
That afternoon Joe. who is a polish
ed gentleman in appearance as we'll
as in reality, strOlled up Peacock AL
ley and met Kitty of the $3.50 Paris
hat.
Madam" said the Scotland Yard
veteran quietly "the management
would like TO know your precise bus
mess I'm this hOtel?"
Kitty blushed and stamped dainty
slipper.
AN idiotic detective. 1 suppose, +"
she said.
a detective" answered Joe. Quite
correct--and as you do not answer my
query I Will say further that you must
leave the Waldorf immedia ely or go
to jail for about Is years
What have you got on me?" she
replied, descending TO the vernacular.
a photograph and two fine sets OF
finger prints"
She left. dabbing her handkerchief
10 her eyes" Lord Harry and the
rest were highly indignant, too. 1t
was all a mistake. But they went
also is other persons in various stages
OF docility
Peacock Alley had had its annual
spring cleaning
have always been much interested
in studying the rich boy life Of our
streets. The ingenuity Of these lads
exploits is appalling. Some of the
leaders grow up 10 be captains OF in
dustry and others wear the uniform
OF Elmira.
For instance. a gang OF 10 or Il
boys, all living in a very restricted
area (bOys two blocks away are their
hereditary foes) divide up two score
tenements. Each boy goes through
his tenements. knocking at the doors
and asking the housewives il there are
any orders for groceries.
Some or the women are suspicious
although they need not be because
they are not the intended victims).
but here and there one viii say she
needs a cake of soap or a quart of
potatoes. or q new broom.
The members Of the gang meet at
their "hang-Out" and they compare
notes They need three cans Of corn.
two broOms. ten cakes of soap, etc.
The gang strolls over TO a grocery
store on Ninth av. The leader goes
IN and asks the grocer for a bottle of
ginger ale. This causes the grocer
10 go to the refrigerator in the rear.
The gang sweeps in. They knock
over the boxes and the barrels grab
what they can and tear away in diff
ferent directions. Seldom are they
caught.
Then the orders" are filed. The
proceeds are equally divided and the
gang starts a game of crap OF
pitch penny" They gamble until
enc boy has all the money. He there
by wins the distinctive honor OF be-