Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-06-30

ting together in front of the PLATFORM
he whispers. They're runners. Every
time a customer makes a purchase
runner gives him a card with the num-
Der and sale price of his purchase on
1t. The customer hands the runner
some money and the latter takes
money and card to one of our two
women cashiers seated at a table next
to the platform. The cashier stamps
the card paid, enters the amount on
the salesbook and gives the runner the
proper change. 1t is then returned
to the customer who may then take
his purchase with him.
IF the lot of goods is extremely
bulky, what we call box lot, then
coupon, numbered to correspond
with the number on the card. is de-
tached and delivered to the purchaser
in order that he may claim the lot
purchased during the sale or shortly
thereafter. This card system Is very
simple but exceedingly important. 1t
serves as double-check against the
auctioneer and the cashier"
WHO'S that heavy-set chap wear
w ing glasses and sitting at one
of the two desks on the PLATFORM"
That's Frank H. Bushby who daily
works directly under me in the dead
parcel post section. He has charge
of the card system just mentioned.
After each purchase he gives a card
to one of the runners. I've explained
the rest of it. And Frank, by the way,
is one of the most magicianlike ap-
praisers of auctioned goods in the
business"
And now Washington's show OF
shows begins. You glance at the
clock. Exactly o'clock. Very briskly
a gray-haired man of slight build steps
up on the platform close by Mr.. Bush
by and facing the crowd. He wears
one of those old fashioned eye-shades
that looks as II once. it might have
been green.
This, Mr.. Cowles whispers, is Charles
Kracke, one of the two regular Post
once auctioneers.
A workman places large box on the
table beside him. The auctioneer
raises his hand. There's dead silence
what am bid for lot 294-contain-
ing 20 slightly worn women's and
children's coats? Bidders Will kindly
raise their hands. Who'll offer dol
lar?" A hand Is raised from rear
row.
you're somewhat disappointed To
note the absence of hammer. Right
now the tempo is slow. But only. you
realize later, because Kracke Is feeling
them out. testing his audience Like
any stage performer to determine
whether they're hot or cold. OF course
they're trifie chilly at first, but they
soon warm up. In fact, after you've
timed 10 or - complete sales you fino
the average time to achieve one u
only SO secondsI
lone and q quarter. Who'll give
two? Two dollars, Two and q quarter
Two and quarter. Sold to the gentle
man in the rear of the room.
Mr.. Kracke holds the stage fol
about an hour. His voice Is rathel
high pitched, quiet, almost digntfied
Always, he's extremely serious. But
he sells the goods.
In sharp contrast Is the other auc'
tioneer, Christopher zepp. who nov
takes command. About feet 10 anc
built like 4 professional wrestler
Christopher has so much energy HI
would make q Billy Sunday jealoul
and he talks about Is fast as tn
cackling Floyd Gibbons. There's
nothing about him remindful OF
commercial auctioneer. They mumbl'
their words in . peculiar tarson o
their own. He bellows forth the word
So loud and clear that the very roo
trembles and quakes.
Forty yards Of dry goods and ever!
color ia the rainbow. Who says on
dollar7 Fifty cents, why that's
crime. Make It Q dollar and . halt
dollar and . hall. dollar ;fnd . bali