The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-02
Breezing Round New York


New York, Feb. 2-I have been
nearing some strange stories OF
Red Feather" gang that operates
IN areas around New York. 1t Is
composed of boys Of high school age
Who think themselves real clever ut
bhe steering wheel OF an automobile.
This dubious club conducts inltl-
atoms that would put most fraternl-
ties 10 shame In order to earn The
lionerary red feather and full adj
mission to the gang" it is usually
necessary to work with another APP
plicant. Their prize stunt has also
been worked solo but Is less THRILL
ing
The requirement is that two driv-
ers In separate cars overtake an I'M
stlspecting victim in another auto
mobile. One draws abreast OF the
victim on the right, and the other
on the left. Then they try to come
within on inch of the unSuspecting
drivers front tenders. The idea is TO
rive. the visiting notorst good
scare as all three automobiles pro
coed in the same direction thus
monopolizing the road against APP
preaching traffic.
Skillful operators are not supposed
to let tenders touch. II the middle
driver gets nervous and does not
stay on a straight path, one OF the
drivers being initiated, and &ome-
times both, scrape tenders or lock
bumpers. The aspirants for the Red
fhnr EtlIln6EnG 10 gel
away fast in order to avoid tangle
with the law OF being Obliged 10
assume blame for damages.
II you happen TO be drlVlAg
toward New York and find yourself
between two automobiles, 1T would
be good judgment to reduce speed
and gradually come 10 stop II ne
cessary. Do not stop abruptly or
YOUR car may sWcrVe. Try to get
the license numbers OF the dlSap-
pearing cars and report them to the
police. 1t is tomfoolery of this kind
in suburban New York that has
caused considerable stir for abolish
nent OF the junior licenes. Clipping
tenders is g, gag that State and local
police should end by arresting any
Wolator regardless of family connec-
lions.
No Junior license holder is sup
posed TO be driving III New YORK
state at night. Many Of our after
midnight accidents involve opera
tors with junior licenses and pas
sengers OF that age bracket Par
ents who give such youngsters a
LII ChnI1II
held responsible for its return TO a
garage at shutdown. Many alter
midnight Sprccs are meaningless
speed stunts attended by death TO
or injury OF innocent people as well
as the operators and their pals.
They are responsible for many &C
cupied beds in our hospitals which
might be used by persons in great
need.
Writing about hospitals reminds
me that Alfred Il. Lyon, top-notch
sales executive for Philip Morris
Cigarette Company has a thought
or two that bears repeating. This
recalls 10 mind times that few
pennies, nickelS and dimes with
some larger donations from boys and
girls made possible the gift Of d liYc
elephant TO 100, milk for babies
memorial fields and countless other
accoutrements to our civic life and
amusement.
Mr.. Lyons thinks Of something
even more important 10 us, and that
is the help Of doctors and nurses
skill to wounded American boys In
TTnitnI Gtat1g He wants
TO conduct great testimonial tunc-
ton TO the greatest Worlds Heavy
weight Champion Of all time. IT this
we're a dinner at the Waldorf-As-
toria Hotel, people would gladly pay
fifteen dollars apiece to sit in at a
testimonial banquet. Many have al
ready paid as high as hundred
dollars to see Joe Louis IN action FOR
Just q few minutes.
Those are not the kind Of people
Mr.. Lyons appeals 10 in his plan 10
honor the champion. He welcomes
them along with other folks whose
nearest approach TO Joe Louis has
been through newspaper, radio and
magazine articles.
He wants a testimonial In the
form OF champion Joe Louis
United States Army Hospital Ward. >
He visions place with SIX or eight
beds made possible by fifteen cent
or so, from Nch--the nickcls anc
dimes Of an ad,S.ring popu'ace. A
spot that will hold glamour for n
turcd soldiers and thrill at being
there, even though luck has beer
against them. He asks for small do
nations TO help the war injured
vhile We honor the only Worlds