Evening star., 1937-04-25

Y v YASH1NGTON, We are here!
So shout the professional
wv panhandlers who seem to
have come from the four
corners OF the globe to join the charity
chiselers and other racketeers in our
fair city.
Whether or not they rode in on the
back Of the Democratic donkey on in
auguration day, we are not prepared to
say. but the fact remains they are here
in droves and intend to make 1t their
happy hunting ground as long as they
are not molested, Of which there Is
not the slightest evidence at the pres
ent time.
Last week 4 vell-known New York
columnist stated In his column that
panhandling was on the wane In New
York City and that he had not en-
oountered . panhandler within the
past year on the streets Of that me-
tropolis. The answer to this is quite
simple. They are all here in Wash
ington.
Were he to take q short stroll any
evening, between the hours Of pm.
and II midnight, within the area COM
prising Pennsylvania avenue to T
street and Fifteenth street to Twenty
second street northwest, he would en-
counter one or two Of these "moochers'
in every block, each with sad, sad
story to tell, if he cared to listen.
Their pleas, however, are not con-
fined to these particular hours. You
are likely to be approached any hour
Of the day. But the night time is the
most lucrative for them because they
aocost one and say, "'Scuse me, mis-
ter, but I amt got no place tu sleep
and I'm tryin' tu raise the price Of =
'nop.' got is cents, but need two
bits. Can VI gimme q dime?" He will
settle for two or three pennies.
The professional panhandler u
clothed With worn or seedy garments.
His face Il downcast and his eyes
lack luster. You will not detect the
scent Of alcohol, for the wise PAN
handler will not imbibe during work.
Ing hours
How, then, does he acquire this dole
ful appearance which seems to bs
the reason for magnetically transfer
ring the coins from the purse of SYM
pathetic Washington public into his
pockets? Is he finished actor wasting
his talents in such a manner or Is he
just . plain narcotic? The answer to
both questions u no.
The writer, arrayed in seeding gar
ments and endsevoring to appear dole
ful sans the lack-luster eyes, seeking
the key to this mystery, spent three
nights in Q mission house near Fifth
and H streets northwest, having been
advised BY members Of the "profes-
sion" this was where the majority Of
them found lodging for rs cents .
flop"
The solution was forthcoming the
first night and was explained by an
'old-timer" who admits he has not per-
formed an honest days work in 10
years. when he commenced PAN
handling Immediately following his
discharge from the Army.
The despondent appearance Of these
loafers, according to him, is effected
with the aid Of q mild form Of drug
which Is a 5-grain tablet and can be
purchased in any drug store in the
District by any one over 81 years Of
age, although it is forbidden to be
sold in Maryland and Virginia without
. physician's prescription. (This in
formation was checked with regis
tered pharmacist in Washington and
found to be correctly The tablet Is
taken with warm water and milk in
the morning, before the panhandler
goes to business" producing, within
an hour, the desired result. Some
times, when the effects commence to
wear of in the evening, he will take
another tablet before starting on his
night rounds. He cannot be classed
as narcotic, as he has no craving
whatsoever for this semi-drug. He
takes 1t only because it gives him that
detected look, which is bound to create
pity in the heart Of kindly public
To him the tablet is as makeup to an
actor.
This fellow has worked the pam
handling game in every principal city
in the United States, but he says there
are more "faN" guys in Washington
than In New York, Chicago and
Philadelphia combined, and they don't
ask . lot of "damphool" questions.