South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-06-28
The Sign of Mob Psychology
BY George Morehill
tlu Cartoons Magazine

ored individuals who happened
along early in the game can observe
the progress Of the repair work and
note the perspiring discontinue Of
the motorist. The outside thousands
can only inquire and hope for the
worst.
10 would save time and supply in
formation or interest If placards
could be displayed az points OF con-
gestion with signs frankly an
nouncing Man Pumping Up Flat
Tire" coz Horse Fell over Wagon
Tongue" or "Epileptic Fit in Prog
ress the outlying rings OF these
street-side curiosity shops would
gradually disintegrate and the
streets could be used again for pur-
poses OF traffic.
! make this bold suggestion, not
alone from 4 consideration Of the
public welfare. but also because /
an a short man myself and usually
have 10 take q tall mans word for
what Is going on inside the mystic
circle OF my gathered fellows
Certain occupational exhibits in
variably invite the congregation OF
crowds one or these is the sign
{ painters job. Let a man in white
Overalls, accompanied by a valet
with three buckets OF paint and
/ ladder. approach a blank wall. and
/ business along that side OF the
street comes 20 a dead halt Ar
ranging themselves in soldierly rows
just outside the dropping paint zone
I the rushing business men watch the
progress Of the sign. No sign painter
ever lacks for company. except when
/ he is working on a 20 story building.
The man who letters the windows
/ with expensive gold leaf designs is
| also a popular magnet No show
I window ever draws such crowds as
when 10 is being lettered and pre-
pared for business. Formerly these
gilt masterpieces were painted on the
/ outside OF the windows, but the
/ painters soon found il necessary TO
work inside the window in order TO
get air.
Neither does the steam shovel
/ lack for public attention IL is the
shrine around which worships the
great Concatenated order of Exca-
lvatory Observers Excavation ac-
tvities apparently rouse a sympa-
Z thetic interest in the heart Of every
man who ever had any dental work
! performed. At any rate. no sooner
does the steam shovel plunge its
! frenzied beak into the vacant lot
than the crowd begins 10 form. Tn
/ happy workmen may call a strike on
an eNcavating contract. but the vol
untary Overseers of the job will
never ask for shorter hours or long
ler wages
There is an indescriba BILE some
thing. as the story writer's say about,
the Tipping of a hap-jack and the
WOggle OF waffle that also attracts
crowds An adept fap-jack Hopper
Is character greatly beloved by the
public. III he happens, in addition
TO be an accomplished waffleodeon.
MS place or business in the sidewalk
window will be made 10 accommo-
date the interested thousands
/ have Joined these waffle parties
from time 10 time. but I have never
been able To put my finger on any
single step in the procedure with
such assurance as 10 say. This al
last Is the twist of the wrist thai
catches humanity and makes us all
brothers-little brothers Of the flap
jack. But the lure is there.
There are countless other circum-
stances that Will stop the onrush-
ing tide OF city traffic and give con
gested proof of mans gregarious
nature. but 10 name them even
briefly would leave no room for the
pictures.
How much better then. 10 tabu.
late the more important ones with
am estimate as 10 the crowd-com.
pelling efficiency in each case. Thus
Weakly hivvers being repaired