Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-11
CITY'S DESTITUTE PRAY
THAT PRIEST INVENTOR
SELL HIS DISCOVERY
Father Rakowski Will Turn
Over Proceeds From Device
Expected to Prevent Bank
Robberies to Poor
WORKS BY MAGNETISM
Head of Polish Congregation Hopes to
Sell His Contrivance to Amer
ican Bankers Association

The poor of the I'd Ward who are
battling against poverty, feel that ray
of sunshine faces them. The sick and
hungry. whose names grace the lists of
charitable organizations, at last show
signs of hope. For the Rev Wladislaus
Rakowski, pastor of st. John Nepomu-
Gene Roman Catholic Church. 9th and
Wharton Streets. has invented a wonder
full device which he hopes to sell. But
best of ALL like a good Christian, he will
turn over every cent he receives for the
invention, in purchase price and royal
ties, to the relief of the poor.
What the divine's intention is matters
little to the needy; all they see is little
more bread, maybe, even a new pair of
shoes!
But the Rev. Rakowsld has invented a
means which he believes will protect pay
ing tellers in banks from gunmen, and
other hold-up artists If the American
Bankers Association purchases the de-
vice, then will charity be greatly aided.
Father Rakowski is head of Slavonic
congregation.
Everybody in the I'd Ward is talking
about the invention. Barefooted boys,
who have picked up the gossip, are wish
Ing that the invention will be taken up
by Philadelphia bankers.
For two months Father Rakowsh has
been working on his invention. The
model is completed He has already filed
an application to have 1t patented. Father
Rakowski expects to make arrangements
to have officials of Philadelphia banks
view his model shortly.
MY invention" said Father Rakowski
will surely reduce bank robberies and
other like crimes"
THE MECHANISM.
There Is an electrical attachment con-
nected with Father Ralowski's device.
The model worked to perfection today.
Those VINO have seen the model and are
familiar with the interior of banks, say
there is no reason at all why the instru-
ment should not be successful.
Father Rakowski's invention calls for
grooves of bullet-proof metal to be placed
over each barred window. This metal Is
released by the operation of magnet
and drops down, covering the exposed
area of the tellers' window as soon as. n
revolver is pointed at the paying teller.
At the same time The front doors which
lead to the street become locked.
Near the tellers feet there is a button
in the floor. This button is attached to
wire which extends to the solid piece
Of metal. in grooves.
Father Rakowski described his inven-
tion as follows:
Just suppose a bank burglar, or one
of those gunner we read so much about,
enters a bank from the street entrance
and goes up to the paying tellers' win
dow. After a few words he commands
the teller to throw up his hands. Then
he flourishes a revolver in the tellers
window. The teller can put up his hands,
but the next thing he has to do is to
touch the button with his foot 1t makes
no difference which foot he uses.
Once the button has been pressed, the
metal which is bullet-proof, comes down
and the teller is no longer visible The
front doors also become locked. Stimuli
taneously by an extension of wires, a
bell begins to ring on the outside which
attracts the police or passersby"
MODEL ACTS PERFECTLY,
Father Rakowsld put the model into
operasibn today. II worked identically
along the lines he described. Father Ra-
kowskl explained that after the police
reach the bank they can be admitted into
the building through another entrance
''I believe the invention would be (
splendid thing for jewelry stores" he
added
When Father RakOwski was asked
what he would do with the money gained
through his invention he said;
There is unpaid debt of $4,000 on my
church. and, this debt has to be paid.
And then, you know, there are many poor
people In my congregation who need AID.
Resides. down here IN our ward, there
are many sick and feeble persons VINO
require medical assistance. Some OF
these persons are too proud to beg. They
are afraid OF becoming known ss s,S
paupers, or professional beggars. l WIZ
devote the money to paying off the debt
ON the church and helping the poor