The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-08-04
In New York
BY GEORGE ROSS
cvyriShL ls57. mA

New York-DayS when autograph hounds narrowed their field of en- deavour to theater and movie open ings are all over. The John Han- cock collectors now muscle in every where that notables foregather, be the occasion public or private. Their new stamping grounds are the transatlantic boat piers, where they can collar the celebrities coming and going. And being persistent birds, they arc crowding the companionways, thus blocking the passage of the star until they get his or her signature.
 A vivid example of this recent invasion of the ocean liners was the departure of the Queen Mary for Europe. Madeleine Carroll came aboard, but siic was shrewd enough to embark from a third class gangplank. Her premoni- tions turned out to be justified, for no sooner had she settled down in her cabin than the horde of autographists descended upon it. They beat, in vain, upon the door, ried deception by calling Telegram for you, Madame" and attempted at least a dozen other ruses. In alarm. Miss Carroll took refuge in the clothes closet and stayed there until the final signal of All Ashore"
 The piers, the theaters ano movie premiers, however, are only a section of the autograph hounds growing territory. The, also have annexed the smarter restaurants and 1t is no longer unusual to be accosted at VoisIn. not only by the waiter with your portion of lamb chops but by stranger with an extended auto- graph album. The determined creatures greet celebrities in the Hobbies of hotels where they hap pen to be staying and have no compunctions about coming up- stairs under one excuse or an. other.
 Once the autographists tried to regulate the unfair practices of the curious profession and pun iShed offenders. But too many squawked and now 1t Is every man for himself and the survival of the fittest. " B. Amused t:i&ter .,~4 .2.>
 Tommy Dorsey, wlio made hur- ried trip through Pennsylvania, swears that the marquee. of a small town theater he passed, announced, D. Copperfield" by 70. Dickens" !" Must be that same chap, Dorsey ob- serves, who wrote IN. Nickleby" and B. Rudge." Ti' t@ ,la
 Gershwin Hit '",. rf
 One of the most heralded con- certs in town in many years Is the Memorial Program of Ger shwin songs that has been ar- ranged for Lewisohn Stadium. Paul Whiteman has. promised to fly Up from Texas to be there and Ethel Norman and Ferde Grofe who were hatimates of the late composer will participate. Weeks before the scheduled date. the spacious stadium had been sold out and as this is being written. tickets for unreserved spaces. are being sold for premiums as high as are demanded for heavyweight champion bouts. And 1t is diff cult to buy a ducat even at those exorbitant prices. Co.,. g.....,. !.
 
 Signs of the Times rE
 Add amusing signs: There Is one on c tonsorial parlor in the Forties that reads: We can even grow hair on a billiard ball but not the 6 ball because we don't want to hide our competi- tors who are behind it."
 Add coincidental names: There's e fellow named Joseph Thrill who works on the scenic railway at Palisades Amusement Park. Add strange street signs: There's .a Shinbone Avenue in lower New York and it's awfully narrow.