Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-11

MI nal uoeS joe -haEtIu uo "heH HV
w isn't actually working before the
camera at Universal City?
That is the question most frequently
asked about the marvellous oranG-
utan who shows such uncanny pow
crs OF thought and has been pronounced
BY scientists to be the nearest human
animal alive.
In the eight years that have closely
observed Joe Martin and developed his
mind I have come TO the definite con-
clusion that he thinks with the same
process of logic that governs the
thoughts OF n human. The things he
does are not impelled by animal in
stinCt. but by strange reasoning
power.
I frequently climb 10 the roof Of
.Ior's bungalow cage at Universal City's
arena and look down at him through the
grating. Unobserved, he acts with the
same dignificd decorum that character
ICES his movements before the camera.
He usually sits quietly in q corner.
At the approach Of visitors he will walk
10 the front Of the inclosure and thrust
out his hand in greeting. II some ono
comes whom he likes particularly he
will hold out his drinking cup and offer
the visitor drink Of milk.
II he is annoyed he does not chatter
and scream Ike a monkey, but quietly
withdraws u his sleeping quarters and
draws Il blanket UP over his head.
II he is furiOusly enragcd, he works
il off on his gymnasium apparatus
swinging violently on III" rings until his
pent-up feelings have been relieved.
A SIMPLE trick OF his is most i'm
~ portanr from tn" standpoint Of n
scientist. An animal can be trained TO
turn n doorknOb or n water faucet 70
tic right. hut he fatty refuses 10 turn
ir 70 the left When he wants q drink
of water Joe Martin turns the water
faucet 20 tho right, Hills his cup. takes
a drink. and then. without command,
Turns il Of. frequently giving il an ad-
dirionaI twi-r % Shut off entirely any
water that may be escaping around o
worn wa,hor Experience has taught
him wet cage is not pleasant and his
own brains rel. him the only way 70
avoid water on the floor Of his apart
mont +, rp turn off the spigot
.Toc AoId, peculiar position in re.
'aiI0u 80 the other animals in the nj
vrrsal CTS arena. lie is apparently
.ougrio., II mis- mental superiority over
rl.rm md fratrrnizes with none Of them
Br...u>r hr j. ant to sit alone Nud grow
Nabhv. I put an active little monkey
r t.r ruIumun rinytail variety ~ H.
,0.'o.uro. The active little follow forces
.Ioo 10 exercise by bothcring him 50 he j.
always jumping about trying 20 avoid
tho Ettlu monkey, and IN" old fellow gets
lonesome and thrivCs on conGcniaI com
uany.
/. ,nrr ftp fnp y
. months old in captivity. lie is now
nine years old and in perfect physiGa
condition.
Dc,pitr his usual peaceful dom"anor
.Tor has "kickcd over the traces twice
His first rampage lasted q week, il
which time he took Il gun away IRON
{ one of the policemen who was attempt
irg to catch him and was about 20 III
ne roD when the rest Of US were aUl
. 70 seize and truss him,
, His second spree was moro Of ms
| "hiryous prank than II murd"r"uS out
q break. IN three days Joe released a.
. r,pnant freed sixteen wolves an
WRECKED the home Of a deputy trainer a
III" edge Of the arena.
o WITH the exception OF thcH" Two o4t
w breaks. Joe is gentlomany an
. rH}S up nobly when something un
usual is required Of him.
An example Of his willingness 70 20
oprratc was shown when Edgar ltic
burroughs. the novelist nnd naturalist
. invited .Toc 10 his ranch for dinner
4 W. went by uutO--IO" was dressed in
+ rr~plrudrnr suit of green and black
Il from tn" arena to Mr.. Burroughs
ranch,
% Joe was r,c first to ali%ht. and shoo
y hands cordially with the naturaliS
a After walk through the house v
went to the dinner table. Joe wi