Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-07
SIX DETECTIVES FOR
MERCHANTS DANCE
Commercial Club Must Protect Fa-
nous Painting on Exhibit at
Funtenelle Hotel.
FOR MARKET WEEK IN OMAHA

WIN Joe Kelley and Don Lee carry
concealed weapons at the ball at the
Fontenelle hotel next Tuesday even
ing7
Heavy hangs the burden OF re-
sponsibility on the heads Of these two
gentlemen, and incidentally IL In
wolves a heavy responsibility OF the
Commercial club--a responsibility,
say, Of some several hundred thou
sands Of dollars in real legal tender.
Whether Joe Kelly and Don Lee
carry concealed weapons at that ball
OF not, half dozen men will. These
will be plain clothes detectives, or
perhaps dress-suit detectives. No
less than a half dozen of these have
been engaged for the dance.
II is the dance To be given by The
Omaha committee in charge Of the mer-
chants market week celebration in
Omaha Tho dance is 10 be feature of
the entertainment afforded the out-of-
town merchants who are coming here
from a half dozen states during this week
to do their shopping and take in the
city for a week.
Are the committee members then afraid
that some "AllSali Ike" win come in with
the merchants to shoot UP the city OF the
Fonteneh botei7
NA.2
Are they afraid some sneak thief will
endeavor to galiop away with the hotel
In his watch pocket?
Not that at all
And yet. Joe Kelly, chairman OF the
merchants market week committed, and
Don Lee. chairman OF the subcommittee
for entertainment, are a bit worried
Likewise is the Commercial club some
what worried.
A Heavy Responsibility.
For there are 10 be articles on the wall
OF that ballroom worth far moro than
their weight In gold. They arc to be ar
ticles that cannot be readily carried away
but, oh, they arc articles that could be
readily destroyed by a punch OF an elbow
or by the touch of a match.
Then-what then? The committee has
vowed that II would stand responsible
for my damage that might occur. They
said II glibiy. They did not think. Then
later in tho day 1t came TO them that
famous paintings are as rare as dia-
monds.
Tho fact Is. the Omaha Fine Arts 30
ciety is holding its exhibit in the great
ball room OF the Fontenele hotel.
Along came the merchants market
week committee and wanted the room
for this ball Tuesday evening. Out of
courtesy tho Fine Arts society is allow
ing them 60 use the room for an evening.
leaving quarter OF a million dollars
worth Of pictures hanging on tho walls.
Sure. wen be responsible" the com
mitteemen answered. when asked for as
surance Of the safety OF theee rare paint
ings AZ tho dance
Then when the committee heard some
thing about the price Of some OF these
rarities they began TO hold their heads
and experience acute neuralgia.
sig Dress suit Detectives.
But they were game. They couldn't
back out then. Who wants 20 be n
gutter? They are going ahead so they
nave engaged six dress suit detectives to
hang round just underneath the most
valuable paintings and watch for any
crank that might want 70 throw a toma-
hawk through the face Of Mona Lisa
These fellows are loaded with every
thing from black jacks to European ar
tillery. And while Mona LAsa and her
class are 10 be particularly guarded.
WOO indeed unto the man who dares in
suit September Morn.
So the bridge IL built over this ohasn
In the plans for merchants market week.
From all appearances a huge throng Ia
20 be in the city during the week from a
half dozen states.
Monday night Is TO be educational
night At the Commercial club rooms
that evening Prof. Paul II. Neystrom of
the University of Minnesota is TO speak
on craftsmanship, He 10 not only col
lege professor thoroughly conversaIk
with the principles OF economies and
business bat Is said 20 have a vast store
OF good practical knowledge of business
and salesmanship.
Tuesday night is the dance at the Fon-
tenele. presided over by the detectives.
Wednesday night there is to be a style
show at tho Commercial club rooms.
Elk or eight living models win demon
strate with tho neatest and classiest OF
up-to-date garments.
Thursday night there Ia TO DO a din
ner at the Hotel Rome. followed by q
theater party, which in turn is TO be
followed by a dance at the Rome,