The New York herald., 1921-09-10
26 SLAVES 'SOLD
| ON AUCTION BLOCK
ON BOSTON COMMON
Women Weep and Shower
Coins on JObless Who Of
fer to Work for Food.
SECOND DAY OF SALE
Many Ex- Service Men Of
fered in Brisk and
Excited Auction.
ONE FAINTS ON BLOCK
Girls Surrender Lunch Money
to Provide for Needs of
Unemployed.
SECOND DAY OF SALE
ONE FAINTs ON BLOCK

Special Despatch to THE NEw YoBK HDRALr.
BosToN. Sept. 9.-Women wept and
ex-service lad from Philadelphia, as
the latter collapsed on the auction
block this afternoon on Boston COM
mon while being offered for sale by
day of the sale.
Dixon, a slender black haired youth,
in greasy khaki shirt. without Jacket.
and with torn blue trousers held up
with a strap, wept as Ledoux re-
counted the boys history. AS the
tears streamed down his cheeks he
collapsed and would have fallen had
not Ledoux caught him in his arms.
Money showered on stand.
gathered about the stand many women
gave way to tears. Other women and
many girls opened their purses and
showered money on the stand. many CIV
Ing up their lunch money.
After the boy had been assisted to a
seat Ledoux calIea for Mds.
Never in the history Of the Repub-
lic." he said. have you ever witnessed
such a scene as this--this which demon
strates the great sorrow of hearts that
are broken
He said Dixon lost his father In the
war, that his mother had recently died
and that the lad was now homeless. pen
niless, jobiess and starving. He finally
was sold to one of the many women
that crowded forward. she agreeing to
| provide for him until he was able to pro-
| vide for himself. Dixon was too weak
to ever stand while thanking her and
Ledoux for their interest
| Ledoux was cheered when he reached
| the Common with his slave" band.
| twenty-six men in all. many OF them
ex-service men. The men did not have
| to wait long before their pleas for food
| and shelter in exchange for their utmost
service were heard. The bidding wac
brisk and exciting. Many who we're so
placed as to be unable TO provide work
or shelter for the Slaves insisted on
giving cash TO finance their immediate
needs. handing over the money without
divulging their names or addresses.
Within half an hour three had been
sold and, In contrast to the rather
meagre offers OF Thursday, upward OF
SIS was offered for their services. while
two obtained offers of more or less per-
manent Jobs. A theatrical man agreed
| to give twenty OF the men I chance as
supers at $25 for two weeks work.
"Trngedy Of Your city,
In HIS opening address Ledoux asked
for seriousness.
This Is no joke" he said 'this is not
a melodrama-it is one Of the greatest
tragedies Of your city. Shakespeare has
said The world Is a stage You are
now on the stage-play your part"
He apologized for his poor voice and
said he had tried unsuocessfully TO get
another to take his place as auctioneer.
but when he went to the stables ito get
men who were used to selling flesh on
the hoof"--these men were afraid to
come. Miss Viola Roach volunteered
her services and was accepted.
Frank Gonnaro. the first youth put up,
said he had been out OF work since
March. without food two days and with
out place to sleep two months Miss
Roach knocked him down for two
months work at s25 a week, his pur-
chaser handing TO the lad SIS bill to
get himself together with. Gonnaro was
almost too dazed for words over his good
fortune, but managed to articulate
thanks to Miss Roach and Ledoux be-
fore departing with his new friend.
The next man up had seen twenty-five
months service In the United States
army. He was willing ito do anything"
The theatrical man took him rs one or
his group at s25 and promised him a
two weeks job. The man refused an
offer OF food and shelter. declaring II
was work he was after The third man
up with record of two and q half
years overseas landed a permanent job
as assistant janitor Ut s25 month.
with board. lodging. clothes and iaun-
dry.
New York Youth offered.
Here Miss Roach's voice gave out and
Ledoux cssayod the task. only to be
forced to give up because OF his throat
and another man assumed the task
His first offering was Harry Friedman.
17is years old. OF New York. An over
seas sergeant finally took him. with
the promise TO care for him until he got
work. The lad left .hc stand several
dollars to the good no the result OF
money pressed on him by sympathetic
women and men.
Lcdoux. having doctorcd his throat.