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Phil Lord and kit Bowery boy* in a characteristic pose as they broadcast a program from the old Tunnel saloon, once a notorious rendezvous of the underworld. At the extreme left is Charlie, Chinese baritone of Doyer street, whose favorite number is "Jesus Loves Me." Lord (center) seems to be enjoying himself.
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Whether Lord is broadcasting his parties or not — he proves himself the natural showman. The men are at ease as soon as they enter the room. It is impossible for him to rehearse for a Bowery broadcast, and be certain that the participants will be on hand the following night to take part. It is necessary for him to draft new "artists" at the last moment. The original "artists", too often do not appear, or when they do, are too intoxicated to participate.
It is, however, a suprisingly orderly aggregation of hoodlums, drunkards, thieves, and down-and-outers, when one considers they eat only when they can beg or steal a meal, and spend their nights in Bowery flop houses, or on the streets. Perchance it is the novelty, or perhaps husky Dan Murphy, self appointed bouncer for Lord's Bowery parties, that keeps them under control.
Dan, who has a crimminal record, is the life, as well as the terror of the gatherings. His wit brings laughs from
all, and his frown with a curt "cut the gab" brings silence. Dan thinks Lord's name is typical of the sort of fellow Phil is.
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'URING one of the broadcasts a man, drunk and cursing, insisted upon talking into the microphone which was sending the program over a nation-wide NBC network. Lord was forced to knock the man into the ^"g ot Hoboes
aisle. Dan, who had reached the platform, nodded his head for the man to leave. Soon Dan and some of his aides disappeared. When he reappeared Dan confided to Miss Robertson, in a matter-of-fact way, that "the bozo was beat up and wouldn't bother no more." The Bowery likes Lord — as the visitor can see in a moment's glance across the crowded room of black and white faces as
he enters. He has proven himself a swell guy, to their way of thinking, because he provides a meal ticket, a pass to his show, and small change each time they gather. Their banter at Bowery parties is gcod-natured. When one of their number stands before them to sing, or recite some of his poetry, the performer can deduce after a moment whether he will be able to finish. If it pleases they are quiet. If they are not pleased the only reason Jt i rotten cabbages are not tossed
is because none are available.
Charlie, the toothless Chinese baritone of Doyer street, is one of the Bowery's most popular entertainers. When he sings "Jesus Loves Me," in broken English, tears come to the eyes of his listeners, and if he is broadcasting, he can count on a heavy fan mail. He has proved one of Lord's most popular finds.
The Tadpole, who with his musical saw has toured every civilized country in the World, is another whom Lord can usually depend upon to be on hand for a broadcast. Tadpole has the Driftwood or(Continued on page 48)