LAW AND ORDER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 124, 12 October 1912, Page 8

LAW AND ORDER.

HOW, IT RUNS IN AMERICA.

"It was one chain of petty graft from the time I arrived in San Francisco until I left again. Everybody is out to rob you. The waiters, railway train attendants, barbers and everyone else, have ways and means of getting at your pocket in a manner difficult to prevent or circumvent!"

This is the opinion of Mr Wm. McLean, who returned to Wellington on Wednesday from a visit to the United State* (says the Dominion). As to law and order in "Uncle Sam's" country, Mr. McLean tells a couple of excellent stories:

"A young man had been convicted of 'forgery, and was sent down to San Francisco from Los Angeles, a distance of 500 miles, to undergo sentence, in charge of the sheriff. As it was too late when they arrived to take the ferry across to the other side of the harbor where the prison was, the officer and his charge put up at the Palace Hotel, one of the best in the city. Having secured a room, the prisoner said that he would like ot communicate with his friends, and as the officer desired a cigar, he wandered off to get one. They were still looking for one another when I left!" "When I was in San Francisco, a man boarded a homeward-bound San Meto trolley-car, with a bandana handkerchief hound across his face, and a six-shooter I in his hand, and commanded all on board [to 'hold up!' He then requested one of thep assengers to 'go through' the other* for their money and jewellery, and, having secured the booty, he told the motorman to go on and make no noise. Not content with this feat, the desperado boarded the next car, and with revolver in hand went through the passengers himself. .As one old lady was protesting against being robbed of an article of jewellery which she greatly cherished, one of the men—a lieutenant—made a spring at the man, but the robber was too quick, and he fired three shots right into the man at close quarters. Then he cooly said: 'I guess you're done for. Good night, everyone!' New Zealand's good enough for. me."