The Detroit times., 1915-01-05
JOE CROSSLICHT
!, Is CROOMED FOR
WEISS PLACE
Pawnbroker Likely To Be Ap-
pointed Appraiser of Gus
toms Here
MONEY NO OBJECT, BUT
HE WANTS THE HONOR
Not Disturbed by Story That
"Kid' Mittenthal Also Seeks
Position

!. Joe Grosslight leaned his elbow
upon case of unredeemed diamonds
perfect cut. everyone OF 'em-tn his
Monroe-avc. pawnshop, and frankly
dwelt upon the glory and honor OF
federal appointment, which, II Is
rumored, Is about to fall upon him.
You hear a whole lot around town,
/, these DAYS, about Joe being appoint.
ed appraiser OF customs, to succeed
Joe Weiss, who few into the apprais-
er's Office on the wings OF the Taft
administration.
The pawnbroker was in the midst
OF a busy session. Watches and pins
and rings, and men with anxious
faces. who handed property over the
counter and asked, How much can /
get en- it?" were all around him. The
atmosphere seemed heavy with the
wealth OF jewels and talk OF money.
Joe was asked:
What is there In this appraiser of
customs joE, anyway"
Grosslight waved his hand in the
air, as II to say, "Pouff, not a cent"
and replied:
"Doa't misunderstand me. Right at
the start, let me tell you, don't want
Aut NlOucg. bOl al L wait VI ~.
That job pays. maybe $1,000 or 81, 900
Year. | don't want that can
make more than that here. Why, my
boy. pay that there clerk behind the
counter more than $4,000 a year."
The $4,000 year clerk, at that mo-
ment, was refusing the plea OF a man
with shiny overcoat. who wanted $50
on a ring with three white stones in II.
Look here" continued the pawn
broker. 1--WE lived in Detroit So
years. For 45 years I've been Demo
crat. although | don't go In much for
politics I've heard that some men
in this town want me to take thai
job. don't want 1t. don't want
the money. But you know, there's
some honor not just for myself, but
foc my family-for my children--in
being appointed to an Office by the
president of the United States"
Joe mentioned the title OF the ma
tons CHIEF executive with distinct
tone OF Difference.
Resides" be added. 1--WE been IN
that kind OF work long enough. II
ought TO be able to do some apprais-
ing by this time"
When is this piece gonna be print
ed?" he asked. Monday? Then I'll
look for IL. But. remember, | don't
look at this thing from the money end
I'm an cid citizen, I've raised my fam
lily here, and I'm going TO finish my
days In Detroit Can you understand
now, how man like me would appre.
ciate the honor such a Job would bring
to kim?"
Old time politicians, who knew Joe
Grosslight back in the DAYS when
some or our main streets were
prairies. are said to be behind the
pawnbrokeT.
Another circumstance which gives
weight TO the rumor Is that Grosslight
was strong supporter OF Congress.
man Doremus, I'm the last campaign.
During the campaign, Grosslight COW
cred more than half the corner of his
pawnshop building with a huge Dore-
mus poster. II the sign had been any
bigger, the private entrance to the
Grosslight paWnshop would have been
bockadec.
Closely associated with the report
that Grosslight Is to be favored with a
federal appointment is the rumor that
kid" Mittenthal, former cafe pro-
prietor, is also being doomed for the
place. The "Kid"-who is between 40
and so years old, meets Grosslight
occasionally and tells him that he
has him beaten out for the place.
but [ don't believe they're serious
about him." said Grossl.ght. Il guess
he's just trying to kid me-"
Appraiser OF Customs Weiss will
have completed four years In office,
next March. 1t has been the custom
to give a collector four years In office,
regardless or any change which might
come In the administration. Weiss
said he had heard of the rumor regard
ing Grosslight and Mittentha, but
added that he did not treat the mat
. ter seriously. He limited that the en-
tire affair was joke.