The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1920-03-27
Folks and Things
Around Washington
Labert St. Clair.

Gus Karger, of Cincinnati, is in
charge of the press tickets for both
national political conventions, so
any newspaper man wanting a few
thousand tickets to either gather
ing would do well to write him.
To date demands for tickets are
quite modest. One mid Western pa
per in a town of $4,000 has asked for
twelve tickets. Other papers have
proved quite as generous with
themselves. The demands for tick
cts to the Democratic convention
are not as heavy as the demands for
tickets to the Republican conven-
ton, the difference in car fare to the
two convention cities explaining
this situation.
Gus got the job of handing out
the tickets not only because he
knows every political writer in the
country, but also because he can be
an awful hard-boiled sort of a per-
son when it comes to freezing on to
tickets of admission to anything.
He got that way, years ago. pro-
noting a wrestling match between
William Mu!doon, the then cham
pion grappler of the world. and the
Great Unknown" the latter being
Cincinnati cop who couldn't pitch
horseshoe and do a good job of 1t.
let alone throw Muldoon.
Anyhow, Gus and another Cincin-
rati man thought IL would be a fine
thing to have the match and rake
in a little money for themselves. So
they told Muldoon that the match
would be easy for him and apprised
the unknown that Muldoon didn't
amount to much. whereupon the
unknown went into training by run
ming a hundred miles or so every
day, and Muldoon, fearing he might
be fooled. also worked hard to pre-
pare himself for the match.
A record crowd saw the affair, and
Gus being the ticket takerN even COZ
lected So from the janitor of the
opera house in which the struggle
was held. When the men stripped
for action. the crowd seemed dis
pleased just because Muldoon
than the unknown. One minute af-
ter the match started the unknown
still was unideptIfied, and he is to
this day so far as sporting records
show. What happened was that
Muldoon walked across the stage.
picked up the unknown. stood him
on his head and then walked off the
stage. Meantime. Gus had started
on trip around the world.
Representative Helm, of Alabama,
who is running for the Senate to
succeed the late Senator Bankhead,
says he hopes none of his opponents
suffer loss of speed control as did a
.colored footracer down in his county
several years ago.
This particular racer. Sam by
name, could run about twice as fast
as a railroad. train and almost as
fast as the wind. One day a travel
ing foot-racer of the taking type
which used to infest the country
came to town and, match between
the two runners Was arranged. It
also was planned that Sam should
lose. Therefore, the local talent.
who were supposed to be on the
inside" got down hook, line and
sinker, on the stranger.
Unfortunately for the home boys,
however, Sam showed a remarkable
burst of speed and left the newcomer
some rods I'm the rear at the close
of 100-yard, race. Naturally, Sans
supporters stormed.
What on earth was the matter
with your" they demanded upon
getting Sam in his training quar-
tiers.
Men," Sam explained. I'm as
sorry as 1 can be, but 1t was this
way. Right after 1 got started, a
hog ran across the track, and / just
got scared and ran away with my
self"
And that" Hefiin continues, els
what ! hope none of my opponents
do in this coming race. II they get
scared at anything. just let them
stand right still until the fright
passes"
IL you happen to see a postmaster
reading by the light of a candle.
these days, place the blame on POST
master General Burleson. He has
sent out an order to all postmasters
telling them to keep the lamps. cleo
trio and otherwise, turned low in
order to save money for the gov
eminent.