The Washington herald., 1918-06-28

New York. June 27.-It has been
said that two clever German spies
became so fearful of the combined
efforts of officials and citizens to
overhear them when they met that
the only time they would discuss
their plans was when they rowed
out in the middle of the Hudson
River.
And even then they talked in
whispers. Nearly every New York
er has become a spy-hunter. Sew
eral fiare-ups have taken place in
restaurants when patriotic diners
heard what they considered re-
marks bordering on sedition at 9TH
er tables
1t used to be that the suspected
spies would fOregather in hotel lob
bies but not anymore. Any time
two or three men or women con-
verse for any length of time in a
hotel lobby a secret service man
will walk right up and listen braz-
emily. Those who are patriotic un-
derstand and are not offended.
This is no time for whispering in
public places. The Hun spy has
shown that by careful listening in
public places he has picked up much
valuable information.
And speaking OF overhearihg con-
versations, Chief De Woody, of the
U. S. Secret Service, tells of a negro
waiter who did not show up for
work one day. Another negro told
the proprietor that the absent one
was in hospital The proprietor
asked why.
Well" replied the other negro.
''he ben sayin' TO a long time dat
he wuz gwine to beat up his wife
an dis mawnin' she Ovah-heard
him."
has entirely disappeared from cafes.
He was the dull stupid type in looks
but mentally he was alert for every
scrap Of Information as he hovered
about the tables. Looking stupid
the best paid spies were the dull
looking Teutons.
New York is learning slowly that
silence is indeed golden. There used
TO be signs in bar rooms "war Talk
Barred" They are not accded nov.
People are not talking, they are
oiN oNAhhe-
Things you never see, except in
New York: At the Columbia UniveI-
sity station OF the subway a negro
entered the train. He took seat and
calmly opened Greek newspaper, and
he was absorbed in It for several
blocks.
A group OF newspa permen were
waiting In the lobby of the st. Regis
TO interview a newly arrived celeb
rity. To pass the time they began
trying to determine the nationality OF
the people who came in the hotel.
Presently woman and two young
boys entered. The boys wore. Eng
lish fashion, heavy soled shoes and
short stockings, their calves bare.
English" said the scribes in a
breath.
But the group seated and began to
talk in German. They were round
faced. fair-haired. and spoke German
perfectly. They're French said
one reporter. THE French all speak
German" and II looked like he was
right. for the group suddenly began
10 talk in French.
Suuueniy n IlAn CdIne Out Ol u
dining room. The two bays saw him
and yelled: "Hello"' That settled Il.
They were Americans. Only young
America says hello" to his elders.
The doors of st. Patrick's Cathedral
opened on Fifth avenue. and q newly
married couple walked out amid q
shower of rice TO a waiting taxicab.
Traffic stopped and clerks ran TO the
doors on the opposite side CT the
street. The groom. apparently never
In the spotlight before. got nervoss
and began lodging the rice. He was
separated for a moment from his
bride. Suddenly he grabbed hold or
an arm and hustled the owner into
the taxi. There was storm cf pro-
test. He had grabbed a perfectly
Il -