Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1912 — HE WAS A “PHONY” CARUSO [ARTICLE]

HE WAS A “PHONY” CARUSO

Mayor Carter Harrison of Chicago An--1 noyed by Telephonic Grand Opera. Chicago.—Max Finkelstein, although a plumber by trade, was so sure he was Enrico Caruso that be called up Mayor Harrison and insisted on singing a few grand opera selections. Finkelstein started early. At 8:30 in the morning the mayor’s telephone rang. * “Hello," said Mr. Harrison. “This is Caruso,” was the greeting that came over the wire. “I will come over this afternoon and sing for yon.” ‘‘No you won’t.” said the. mayor. "Good-by.” “It was not long before the telephone bell rang again. When Mr. Harrison took down the receiver he heard the same voice. “Listen to this,” it said. “Umpte-did-di-do. That’s grand opera. Pm coming over to your house and entertain your friends.” From that time. until 2 o'clock the offer was repeated every few minutes. Finally Mayor Harrison’s patience gave out He called up the office of the chief of police and suggested that the man be found and locked up. About the same time the police received a complaint from a confectionery store at Johnston and Maxwell streets that a crazy man was making the store his headquarters. Detectives hurried to the store and captured the disturber in the' act of calling up Mayor Harrison for the purpose of singing a few grand .opera selections. Finkelstein gj the Maxwell street,

police station gave his address as 815 West Fourteenth street Judge Owen was called by telephone and gave Instructions to have the man taken to the Detention hospital. There Finkelstein insisted that be was not insane, and to prove that his head was sound began to beat it against the wall of bis cell. He was put where he could do himself no harm.