The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-11-27
Jerry ON JOB,
SELLING
!. FOR % YEARS
Presiding Genius Of Willard
News Stand Discusses Old
raA Times and New.

You have seen those little news
stands stacked with magazines and
He9tly folded papers laid out, over in
the corner of almost any hotel lobby.
haven't you? Did you ever observe
Ctpsely the man who stands behind the
sumter?
- Perhaps you noticed that he was a
Asnd of oldish looking man, with white
pair and a close-cropped white NOUS
eache. He was slender and very quiet,
Xpu may have observed, II you took
Shs time. But did you ever stop to
mink what the newsie thought of you,
~ his surroundings?
~ Jerome McManus, silver-haired and
eeventy-year- old newsie at the. New
willard Hotel stand, has been there
~ quarter Of q century and he lows
ae knows a few things. He is just
&acn q newsstand man as you always
eicture, but have never talked to.
., Indeedy," he began to the reporter
who was buying a paper, I've seen
lew changes since I've been here"
=, But what's more confusing to the
@Gntfied and venerable newsie than
Che nappers running around in these
here foreign delegates to the Arms
Conference, gesticulating and stand
mg around in the lobbies.".
w japanese Good Spenders.
1.-THE Japs are the best spenders.
Xhey seem to like to pick up trinkets
md souvenirs. And they don't hest
tate to spend money for them. But I
never have seen yet one of those jap
Fellows buy q cigar. I don't believe
they smoke them.
81 y. "Noy you take these italian and
French delegates, they are great ones
Tor cigarettes. They come to the coun-
Ivv a.
hand their interpreters.
g: 1T never have seen 80 many inter
SFeters in my life since this conference
opened. I always know when a for
9lGner who walks UP to the counter
yor . paper can speak English. Only
hose who can speak our language
oome. you see; otherwise they send
3heir interpreter.
i; From the large orders left at
8e stand for papers, should judge
these delegates are great newspaper
re4ders. Most of them appear to
have left orders for papers to be
delivered at their rooms daily"
Things Have Changed.
The flappers seem to run a close
second in the newsie's observation.
twenty-five years ago. you wouldn't
see q girl standing around in the
lobby or sitting in Peacock Alley.
he says.
'The girls were more modest in
those days and kept to their rooms
or the parlors. Seldom did a miss
appear In the lobby unchaperoned
by her parents. brother, or
sweetheart. Reckon the girls are
more independent these days.
1.-THE men are different, too" he
lowed. You don't see them sitting
around in groups in the lobby any
more. talking politics. The mem
come and go. All they want is
rooms. The old-time conviyiality
and group gathering is not seen in
9he hotel Hobbies any more.
II came to this hotel twenty-five
years ago. 1t was the Old Willard
then. / handle papers from all over
the country. Those from California
are always two days late"
Mr.. Jerome McManus is very
dignified as well as observant man.
To the patrons Of the Willard who
have come and gone during the past
years, he is affectionately
called, Jerry" But that must be
because he has pink cheeks and an
face. He Is unmarried.