CROOKS ENTER SOCIETY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2254, 22 March 1921, Page 1

CROOKS ENTER SOCIETY

SOCIAL REFORM EXPERIMENT,

Details" of a social experiment promoted by Marshall Stillman (the pen-name of Mr Alpheus Geer), are contained in a New York message. Well-Known crooks were invited to a specially-arranged entertainment at a famous hotel at which society men meet them on an equal footing. Describing the scene, a correspondent writes: —

Billy the Goat, one of the toughest yaung hooligans who ever “did time” in the State prison at Sing, Sing, from which he recently was released, ambled sheepishly—and very suspiciously —into the grand ballroom of the Hotel Commodore. His uneasiness was quite evident beneath the veneer of half-defiant swagger, which he immediately assumed, as he found himself cheek by jowl with Crooked Henie, member of a rival gang of East Side “gunmen,” whose leader was electrocuted with four others a couple of weeks ago in that same Sing Sing from which he, Billy the Goat, had been graduated, subsequent to the expedited passing of the quintette of murderers. Both found themselves in their unaccustomed milieu ligitimalely, by invitation, and cordially welcom- < ed, together with others of their kidney.

They were contributing by their presence to an experiment in social reform, the attraction that had brought them there being a programme of boxing bouts. And, to their genuine surprise, they mingled with manly young chaps from the topmost layer of the social strata, who mingled with them on an equal footing of spectators enjoying the fun, and soon were discussing with them in genial camaraderie the points of the gladiators and their ring performances. To cap the climax, young society girls showed all comers to the seats round the 24ft. ring, and in the boxes were such society folk as Mr Vincent As!or, Miss Anne Morgan (sister of •). Pierpont Morgan), and Mrs Vanderbilt Webb.

The theory of the originator of the unique experiment is that this contact cannot but rebound to the advantage of both sides by promoting an understanding of each other that otherwise would necessarily be impossible.

Washing instead of whipping as a treatment for lazy boys is prescribed by Dr. Levy, French psychologist. Ho attributes laziness to defects' of the nervous system, the remedy for which is a cold-water douche in'the morning, followed by dry or alcohol friction.

The village of Quevy-Aulnois, near Maubeuge, has just celebrated the 102nd birthday of Mme. Kossignol, the oldest woman in Belgium. Mine. Kossignol has been a widow for 20 years, her husband having died in 1000 at the age of 93. During the bombardment of Maubeuge in 1014 she steadily refused to leave her house, and also refused to board German soldiers billeted on her. When she was serenaded by the village band on her birthday she danced a minuet to the music. She has six grandchildren, 18 greatgrandchildren, and ten great-great-grandchildren.

Why bother making cakes when there is such a good assortment at Perreau’s 1 *