The Washington herald., 1915-01-03
Waiting for the Stranger on Broadway.

the papers possibly might be late in get
ting. was at the telephone at once, Civ
ing the tip" to the city editor. If |
happened to be first with the informa-
tion. good! | was paid for it. If the
story was unavailable or some one had
beaten me to it, very well. had lost only
a minutes time
Busy, busy I was always busy.
My first duty OF the day was to read
all the newspapers closely. A new actress
or a new actor was to sail from London,
Paris or Berlin for New York. he or
she. Of course, unaCQuanted with the
methods OF publicity in America. | made
memorandum. When the steamship
arrived. was at the pier, standing along
side the customs officer to learn the iden-
tity of my prospect"
You must have publicity to succeed
here" was my greeting. Photographs?
4 story? I would explain how we ar
ranged such things in New York. OF
course, it would require a little money
for my services So much if | succeeded
in placing the pictures and the story in
the newspapers: so much in any event
in case failed, for my work would most
assuredly bear fruits later. Sometimes
would get $40; sometimes 800. Once
got $500 for plLcing a story in which
one OF LUe l6duluk Opcld SllStlS uS III GU
An advance payment, and a substantial
sum if l succeeded was my method.
And to suppress a story. I could do
that too, l would say, or try. In my
Broadway rounds | would hear of
salacious mOrsel of scandal. Perhaps the
newspapers had not heard of it, would not
print it II they had. That made no diff
ference to me. BY telephone or other
wise I would arrange an appointment
with the person or persons concerned. II
the story failed to appear, they would
pay me in the belief I suppressed il.
Sometimes I did. sometimes I didn't. II
1t did appear, just little time lost.
would hear of a new business to be
established, a hotel that was to be re-
furnished, new bar fixtures to be installed
or any new enterprise requiring the eN-
penditure of money. | was right on the
lob. I would forthwith tip contractor
or half a dozen Of them for that mat
ter-saying had influence with the pros
pective buyer and eXaCting a certain COM
mission provided they got the contract
But the stranger on Broadway! All,
he Il was who provided my most prolific
source of income, and enabled me to
REALLY LIVE, not merely exist by my
wits I can spot him a mile away
Hundreds Of him land on Broadway. the
street of dreams, every day. And he al
ways is supplied with plenty Of money.
for he has heard 1t requires cash to see
the white Way"
I prefer to meet him in a hotel bar.
for he who patronizes the bar always is
liberal with his money. A smile. a chance
question and we are acquainted. Usually,
/ buy the first drink. But he is wary.
He has heard of the pitfalls, the conf
dence men along Broadway. The bar
tender addresses me by name. That helps
little Another drink or a cigar
Habitues come and go; | speak to them
all, and they all speak to me. Presently
a man high in the theatrical profession
man whose name is a household word
in all America-drops in. l address him
by name. How are you, Haas" is the
reply. Will he have a drink with us!
Certainly, for that is his mission in the
bar. l introduce him to the stranger
from Kankakee, who is only too delighted
to buy. l guide the conversation into
business channels. I'm considering al
important proposition from Shubert, from
Hammerstein. from Klaw and Erlanger
tell the celebrity. My Kankakee FRIEND
is becoming impressed. Perhaps I'm al
right, he begins TO think. The hotel pro
prietor saunters in. / shake hands will
) him, too The strangers favorable i'm
preston grows. In the course Of half ar
hour or 30, perhaps half dozen or more
) men of prominence, known by reputation
to the stranger-celebrities he never
dreamed Of meeting personally-have ad
} dressed me By name. passed Q pleasan