Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 255, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1917 — Gales of GOTHAM and other CITIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Gales of GOTHAM and other CITIES

New York Club’s Aim Is Reformation of Felons NEW YORK. —There are various classes of clubs in this city, ranging all the way from those with purposes strictly political to those whose alm appears to be nothing more serious than giving a dance and dinner once a year.

Perhaps- the most novel club In New York is the Rodgers Loyal club In Fifteenth street, with a membership of between three and four hundred men and boys between the ages of sixteen and thirty, every one of whom has done time in the reformatories for offenses sufficiently serious to bring them Into the crutches of'the poHce. This club was organized by Henry 8. Rodgprs, the chief parole agent of this city. The members of this unusual

association “chip In” 25 cents a month for the maintenance of a relief fund for men and boys who come out of prison practically "broke,” and each year every member is required to report at least one bona fide employer who has room for a man or boy. When a prisoner Is released from a reformatory he is given $lO, but out of this he must pay his railroad fare to his destination. Consequently he lands in this city with but a few dollars and but little chance of obtaining a position quickly; and when his funds become exhausted he naturally returns to crime to supply his needs. The club is on the lookout for just such fellows. They take him into the organization, thereby giving him the human comradeship which a man or boy most needs when he leaves the dark, gray walls, see that his Immediate wants are supplied from the fund and obtain for him a place at the earliest possible opportunity. If a member of the club learns of an opening he promptly notifies Mr. Rodgers, who does his best to land the boy or man In the vacancy. This system Is working out well and hundreds of young men have thereby obtained places which they have filled with credit, who, without the club’s assistance, might have had to walk the streets until they again resorted to evil ways. Each member Is responsible for the person he places in a position, and he sees to It that his protege goes straight.

Soldier Went to Right Place to Get Mending Done DETROIT. —Artlessly as a little boy coming to mother to have his play-torn knickers mended, a young chap In khaki entered the headquarters of the National League for Woman’s Service, thrusting two fingers through holes In

’a pocket of his trousers and asked if he could get a needle and thread to sew them up. He explained that they had been burned in his pocket by a cigarette. He chanced to approach a very motherly sort of a person, and the twc managed to have a glorious time. Mrs. E. O. Mullant sewed the holes in the pocket, then the soldier asked to have the buttons onhis shirt fastened more securely, and as a last request pointed woefully to the insignia on his sleeve,

where the machine stitching had come loose, and the little khaki cloth bugle—was fraying at the edges. For he was the bugler of the Thirty-third Michigan from one of the companies stationed at Fort Wayne and, haying been In need of a little womanly attention, had taken the name of the league “for woman’s service” at Its word. "You know I can’t do any mending myself,” he explained apologetically, “because I haven’t a comfort kit Lots of fellows In our company haven’t any I haven’t a sweater, either,” he announced, as he glanced around the room where knitted garments of khaki and gray wool are always in evidence. “Well, you’re going to Waco soon, aren’t you, where you’ll, not need a sweater?” said a league member. ’ "Oh, but we could use sweaters down at the fort these chilly nights all right,” he answered, and the woman was ashamed of having appeared to doubt In return for having his mending done, the soldier sat down and affixed ptamps to a bundle of letters. He was further rewarded by the gift of a sweater and a comfort kit. _ “We’ve been told that some of the soldiers sell the sweaters and kits that ere given them,” said Miss Helen E. Keep, Michigan state chairman of the league, “but when a young fellow is frank enough to come in and ask to be fixpd up, we’re willing to take a chance.

Embryo Soldier Brought His Overalls Along SANSAS ClTY.—Slightly early for the arrival of the members of the district draft appeal board, but in time to greet the incoming clerks was an Atchison county drafted man. He appeared at the board room In the

federal building with a small bundle under his arm and a smile on his face. About six feet two, muscular and altogether about as happy a prospect for a Sammy as any recruiting officer could wish, he fairly radiated good humor about the room while clerks Were dusting off the desks preparatory - M the day’s work. Someone asked if anything could t,e done for him. Again he smiled. A big hand dived into overalls pocket

and brought forth a notice that the Atchison county young man had been certified by his local, board to the district board. Did he desire to make an appeal? No, he did not (Indignantly). Did he have an Industrial claim for exemption that he wanted to present? Most certainly not (frowns replacing smiles). Silence ensued while clerks busied themselves again. Then someone ventured a question as to what the Atchison county young man wanted. The bundle under the muscular right arm was placed oni atable. —The" big frame of the big man leaned forward; earnestly the voice reported: “Well, I’m here and I’m ready to start training for this fighting businesssee? Just thought I’d come to town and get an early start for camp. Heard that overalls were in style up at camp and that’s what I been a-wearing’ for a long time- Got an extra shirt along and the sooner you start me to work tils better.** * ' ~ —-V - - ■ ~~ The man was sent home by the board, who told him that he would be called in due time.

Gotham Cops “Threatened” With Wrist Watches NEW YORK. —Wrist watches for New York policemen? Blessed memories of Rhinelander Waldo and “Big Bill” Devery, what is the force going to do if it has to don wrist watches? Vast excitement has been caused in police

circles by reason of this rumor, which seems to have originated in the Tenderloin. “It won’t be so bad for some of these here rookies,” said one big. burly policeman, a survivor of the palmy days of “Big Bill” Devery. the "best police chief New York ever had.” "since they have got more or less ► used to that sort of thing. But what - are us fellows who remember the copa as thohwere. In the old days goinrlp do?” He was reminded that all army

officers wear wrist watches without in any way detractthg from thelr manliness. “Yes,” he admitted, as he held up one enormous hand to halt northbound traffic and beckoned on a iong line <rf cross-town trucks, "but some army officers I see around'town are carrjinjj swagger sticks, too. Are they going to have us drop the nightstick for the swagger stick? Well loefc fine covering the East side gashouse districts at night with these dinky little canes' Why, every gang;on the beat would be'waiting for you to beat you up. on the wrist watch for mine. When they pst that rule into effect I gu*ss Hl ask to be retired. I’m old enough for it and I gueaa Fcan’t keep ujp with all these new wrinkles.”