Variety (December 1925)

Wednesday, Deceml)er 2, 1925 TIMES SQUARE VARIETY SI TWO MASHERS PICK WRONG ~^e In for 10 Dayi Other Out $10 A couple of out of town mashers wandered Into Times square late Ujii week and wound up before Judge Bernard J. Dou'-as In Nlsht Court. Judge Douras sent one feller away for 10 days and the other follower set back $10 In cash. Thursday nlpht Joseph Uusso, tarber, of 260 Cator avenue. Jersey City, walked Into the Capitol the- atre'without taking the precaution to atrap his hands. Right next to him was Mrs. Helen S. Parker, of 1426 85th road, Woodhaven, L. I. Joseph didn't Investlsate and no ene Informed him Mrs. Parker had her robust husband with her. Also •her daughter and her daughter's ' husband. ' Perhaps the picture didn't Interest the barber or his hands got beyond 'control away from the shop. Mrs. Parker protested, quietly and nicely, but Joseph, being but a barber and so fortune teller, tried a repeat. At the second offense Mrs. Parker 'thought the family should know about the stranger In their midst. 'Whereupon Mr. Parker grabbed the harb, leading him to the street and a cop, who steered him up to Night Court to hear the Judge say 10 days. Max Miller of 298 South First itreet, Brooklyn, Friday evening at ' the Stanley theatre, 7th avenue and 4l8t street, took a fancy to Mrs. Betty Hendrlckson, who lives at the Palace hotel on 45th stre.et. Mrs. Hendrickson did not know the man, altnough as she walked toward the hotel with Miller following her, he nudged her at Intervals, also at- tempting to open up a conversation by addressing her as "Cutie." That all came out In Night Court "and cost the Brooklyn Romeo $10. ARRESTING PEDDLERS Over 40 Taken Square Within Week More than two score peddlers have been arraigned In We.st Side Court during the past week as a result of a drive by Captain f"'iarles Burns, of the West 47th street sta- tion. The defendants have been in- VuriuLly lined or received suspended •e'-t:::ces. 'lie Men have been seized in re- ■tilcted territory on the "nig Stem." ■ Many complaints by storekeepcr.s have been recelvecl by the polire captain.s. Owners of theatres 'so have written to Captain lUirns ask- ing his aid to rid Broadway of the Itinrrant "jest." 'n m.nny cases the defendants •how tlieir "army" di.si-harge or per- mits. The permit give.s the ped- dler no privilege to ply their trade on Broadway or adjaeent streets. In the cases of the "army boys," thfy Inv.nriably have no permit. The Court has been drastic. First Offemiers receive a cau.stic warning from the mngistrate. In some eases. they explained that they were : - norant of the re,' ' ted section. A ▼eteran offender has been fined as nigh as $25. TERRY'S LOST LINKS 17-Y«ap Old Delivery Boy Admit* Theft Sidney Taylor, 17, employe of a department store and living at 72 Rast 109th street, was held for trial In the Court of Special Sessions on the charge of petit larceny. Taylor was arrested at his homo by De- tectives Pat McDonoiigh and James Donnelly, of the West 110th street station, on complaint of Warren Terry, concert singer, of 112 We.st 91st street. Terry charged the youth with stealing a pearl scarf pin nnd gold cufT links valued at $35 from his home. Taylor .Imitted the theft. The jewelry has been recovered. According to the detectives, Tay- lor, employed as a wagon boy, came to the home of Terry to deliver a package. After the departure of Taylor the theft was discovered. Taylor was held in $300 ball by Magistrate McAndrews In West Side Court for trial. JOHNSON, DUSKY PUG, HIT TAXI DRIVER Con Men Gel $1 For Eiank Paper Cliicaso, Dec. 1. Smart con men pulled a quick one l'"riday. They In- vaded cigar stores, s.aloons and other con;;resatlng places of the male cltijenry. selling the Bullil>le amon;: tlicm fake cop- ies of the suppressed letters suiposed to have been written by Leonard Kip Rhinelander to his dusky bride. These faUe copies were ped- dled in sealed envelopes for $1 each, with the purchaser asked not to open it until he got home. The envelope contained a few blan!; sheets of paper with "We Thank You" written thereon. Fighter Freed in Court Through Lack of Evidence—Fighter, Doorman at Reubens Picture Operator Fights Fire—Audience Unaware More than 1,000 patrons sat fluletly in their, seats in the Klalto theatre Thank.sgiving afternoon, ig- norant thnt a fire was raging on the third floor of the Seventh avenue ■«de of the building in the private Projeotion room, far removed from ihe theatre proper. It was only the calmness and Pluck of Abo Brenner, picture op- erator. In the separate projection room, who fought tho flic of burn- mg nim and saw that word of the nre was kept from tlio audience. While Hienner was flKhting the ■t'lt I'l.ize nn excited citW.on sum- •nonea the fire apparatus. Thov .ar- "vcd so quietly the audience did not near them. When rca. hing llie scene or the Are they found that Hrcnner "•'*,2/'""n"Pred the blaze. The fire started In some film in a maclune while Brenner was operat- ng it. The cause is unknown. Bren- ner was showing the pictuie, "The «oad to Yesterday." Suddenly the I'm burst out In a I.Kize. Brenner realized the danger. ""Ufting the door.-* in the projec- "*n »'oom. lio began to Diiht tho lire. John Lester Johnson, dusky pugilist, said to have a victory over Jack Dcmpsey to his credit, was freed in West Side Court by Magis- trate Thomas MoAndrows on the charge of assault. He was brought to court on a summons on the com- plaint of Edward Cohen, taxi thaulTeur, 41. of 915 E.ast lC5th street, who charged the "Big Black Boy" with knocking out two of his ■front molars in front of a delicates- sen store at 2270 Broadway. Cohen was assisted into the store .ifter the alleged assault and 'ro- ceiveid temporary treatment. Later he went to Harlem hospital and had three stitches placed In his gums. In discharging Johnson, Magi.s- Ir.ate Mc.\ndrews stated that if 'Cohen had a witness to the alleged assault he would order a complaint against Johnson. He had none and ihe Court was compelled to dis- charge the conqueror of "Jack" Dcmpsey before the latter became champ. Cohen following the assault ap- pealed to Patrolman John J. Coogan, of the West GSth street sta- tion to arrest Johnson. Cohen told the Court that.Coogan then threat- ened to "brain" liini with the night- stick. Tiie following day, Cohen went to In.spoctor Micliael Lyons and complained of the patrolman's actiim. Lyons is conducting an In- vestigation. According to Cohen, the father of two grown-up sons, he drove three patrons to tlie delicatessen. John- son, wlio was In uniform, employed as a doorman by the Ueubens' restaurant came out. It was rain- ing and Jolmson carried an open umbrella over his head. As Cohen's fares stepped out, Jolmson, Cohen said, ordered him to hurry his cab from in front of tho cloor. Cohen stated that the cab stalled. He got off to start It when Johnson Jabbed the umbrella In his face. Before Cohen could rc- ,:over himself, he said, Johnson shot his right over, removing two of Cohen's teeth. Bleeding, Cohen staggered Into Beubens'. There he was "patched" up and told to return the ne.\t day. he said, to"- see Reubens. Instead he went to Inspector Lyons to com- plain of Coogan's action. Magistrate McAndrews evidently believed Cohen's story. Johnson Is to light "Bud" Gorman Saturday, Dec. 5. Models Cost Boss $50 Three cloak models appeared in Special Sessions Friday as wit- nesses against William Dattltbanm, 16, salesman of 657 Crotona park, north, charged with as.sault. After hearing the story told by tho girls, Dattlebaum was found guilty and fined $50. According to the chief complain- ant, Florence Lewis. 17, 1160 Tif- fany street, Bronx, on Aug. 21 last while displaying gowns at 6 East 82nd street for customers of Dattlebaum. the latter became im- patient and slapped her face. The two other girls. Nan Colllgan. 2636 Broadway. Elsie Brewster, 414 West 124th street, corroborated Miss Lewis' st.itement. Dattlebaum paid the fine rather than spend 10 days in jaiL Sheik Bandit Caught; Robbed Mostly Women Auctioneer Got License Clarence W. Wood, auctioneer. L71 West 44lh street, was aciiuilled in the Couri of Speiial Se.s.sioiis Fri- (l.iy of the cliargo of conducting an auction .sale at 332 ^V■eMl 4Jiul .'<treet tviiliout a Ii<'eiise. Olllcer Jos.iih Ti'.'Uiva of tTle J^rf^lat Service ,S(iuad caused Wood to be .summoned to court Oct. 12 when Wood was unable to produce tlio neces.s.-iry li.-enso to cairy on sales. in court I'rid.Tv . .luer produced a permit recently ob- ifiineil and v.a-s discharged. Following one of the most spec- lucular holdups that has occurred in the Rialto district In a long time, ! Jules DeCosta, 21, bellhop, 157 West 133rd -street, was arrested on a cli.Trge of robbery. The police say while he has confessed to four sim- ilar holdups in this section they be- lieve he has been responsible for m.iny more. DcCosta, characterized by the police as "a dude" because of the ex; cnsive clothes he wears, special- izes in robbing women shopkeepers. • Late Monday afternoon DeCosta entered the hat store of Phyllis Condon at 207 West 52nd street, less than 15 feet off Broadway. When he entered DeCosta bowed elegantly and walked towards thf owner. Approaching her ho sud- denly drew an automatic gun and commanded the frightened woman to keep quiet. He then noticed a gold wrist watch she wa-s wearin.-, and commanded her to taka It off and band it to him. When ho had stuffed the "watcn in his pocket he tlien sn.itchod her pur.so from a courjter and rifled it of $3 in cash. De Costa b.icKea out with a smile. He stopi)ed long enough to push the gun in his pocket and by this time MIp.t Con- don rushed ,to the doi/k" .and be^,'an to scream. Crowds on Broadway heard her. Traffic Policeman Barry, on the force five months, saw him and started after him followed by al- most 1,000 people. Just as the ntige cop caught DeCosta. Philadelphia I Jack O Brion, former heavyweiKht { pusilist, nalbod him. DeCosta tried to Kfrucr;le but was qui<:kly sub- dued. Taken back to the store and searched the watch and $S were taken from his pocket. A further search revealed tho gun and a tupered bludgeon, some extra bullets and a knifo. To Lieut. Jolm fiiiffith In conmiand of detectives of West 4Tth Street station, DeCosta admitted the crime and said he was tlie one who roMjed the places at 201 West 4Dth street, 1C74 Broad- way and 201 We.st 51st street. He re.adil.v recricjnized women as they entered the st.ation to identify him .•iiid s i\'ed tl.eni tlie riiii.T I r;i .. .iiurn All.lir-IW l1 Ije'i.fi- .M.i > ti .te Le- vine In West Side Court DeCosta w;is held without l)ail for a further healing. About 50 womr-n store- keepeis along Broadway and the side .'itreets will be I rou-;ht to court to lool; ;it the ".Sheik" bandit in .ari eiTort to identify him. MRS. EISENBERG FREED Two M«n From West Hit Piper in Her Apartment Mrs. Orace Ei.senberg, 312 West ■18th street, was exf)nerated of a charge of unlawfully possessing opium when arraigned before Mag- istrate McAndrews in West Ide Court. Detective Dowling, narcotic K<tuad. said he had gone to tho Eisen- berg apartment to make an Investi- gation. On a bed he found a com- plete opium layout with the lamp burning. He said the apartment was filled with fumes of the drug. Wlien questioned, the detective said. Mrs. Ki.->enberg stKted that two men from the West had just been in the aixartment and smoked the pipe without objection from her. She denied she was an addict or that the smoking paraphernalia was hers. Marlstrato McAndrews was con- vinced tho woman was not the own- er or user of the contraband drug. IN LOVE WITH NO JOB, HARDING TRIED IODINE Acrobatic Dancer May Recover —Attempted Suicide on Ac- count of Girl in ''City Chap" CRUSADE ON ma AUCTIONS 2 B*way Places in Court —"Sunset Bidding" After waiting around the st.Tge entrance of the Liberty Thursday night. Phillip Harding, of the Hotel Shelton, drank several ounces of Iodine .and was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where they say he might recover. H.arding told Policeman Boyd, of the West 30th street station, while waiting for an ambulance to arrive, that he was nn actor and in love with one of the girls of "The City Chap." He said he was an acrobatic dancer and had been with the show up to three weeks ago, wlien he was let out, he said, hecaus. he wasn't tall enou.gh. That w.as hard luck enough, he thought, but when tho girl he hoped some d.ay to marry turned him down, that was loo much, so he negotiated the iodine. Captain Charles Burns of th« West 47th street i)olice st.ation, has started a crusade against mo.ck auction shops. Recently one just oft Broadway quit as a result of the activity of the captain when he learned that four "cappers" were In the place. The captain intends to see that they also observe the "sun- set law." At sunset they are re- quired by law to cease bidding. They are permitted to sell after sunset but not to auction. In two cases he found, he alleges, places auctioning after sunset. They were served withaummonses. They gave their names as Ralph Sugar. 40, auctioneer, 416 Fort Washington avenue, with a place of business at 1512 Broadway, and David Brill. 46, 1129 East 2£nd street. Brooklyn. atictioneer, at 1544 Broadway. Sugar, through his attorney, got an adjournment until Dec. 4. Brill's case will bo heard earlier. They Were paroled In the custody of their attorneys, charged with "bidding after sunset." Shoplifter Refuses to Reveal Right Name Declaring that she did not want to bring disgrace upon her family liy revealing her rl'-lit name or to tell where she lived, a pretty blonde, stylishly dressed who gave the name of Helen Dobson and said she was a show girl, pleaded .guilty to petty larceny in the Court of Special Sessions. ILather than reveal her identity she preferred to rem.iin locked up in Jefferson Market prison for five days. The Justices after Icfirn- ing that the police h.avo no record of a previous arrest suspended sentence. The young woman was arrested N'ov. 20 by Etta GIbbs. an investi- ^rator for the Stores Mutual Pro- tective Association who saw her take a dress valued at $36 from, a rack In Macy's. Kollowlng her arrest the girl told Miss flilbs she had not worked .at her profession for several months, due to tho fact she h.ad injured one of her knees In a fall. J "Sunday" Complaint On Garden Dismissed Eddie Madden, bike rider; Joe Koglcr. former rider and track manager of the new Madison Square Garden; George BIck and Charles Hutchinson, ticket seller and taker, were exonerated on charges of violating the Sabbath law when arraigned before Magis- trate Levlne in West Side Court on complaint of Policeman Maher, West 47th Street station. The cop said he saw Madden rid- ing ,A match race Sunday night, while Foglcr permitted It. He said Bick and Hutchinson sold and ac- cepted hia ticket. In answer to a question by an attorney for th© men the ofllcor isald he had not re- ceived a complaint, but was di- rected by Captain Charles Burns to serve the auartet with sum- monses. ' He .also stated that there was "no undue noise which disturbed the peace or that religious services were Interfc.-rd with. After hearing this Judge Lcvino decided no vio- lation h:id been committed and dismissed the proceedings. Wilda Bennett's Car While Wilda Bennett was hav- ing diiHier with friends at 49th street near 5th avenue about a week ago a thief stole her $5,000 roadster. Immedl.ately upon dis- covering the dl.'iappearniice she reported It to Dotecllves Leoch and H.aniil'.;an. West 47th street station, nnd a general alarm was sent out. Thursday last the detectives, touring through the district, ob- served tho autoinidtlle abandoned at U'<th street ond 11th avenue. Tho machine Is »i\:a to have botm the roadMtfcr which figured in tiie Trey divorce case and which was characterized as tho "Love Car." 'ROUND THE SQUARE If You Don't Advertise in "VARIETY" Don't Advertise Qay B'way Thanksgiving Night ^ Thanksgfvlng nlgjit saw more clowning and merry-making on Main street than has I.e ?i the rule for some years past. The masquerade filing was gone In for extensively by grown-ups who traveled through the Hifuare in han.ioms and open cars, the vehicles plastered with comedy signs that stopped traffic. A couple of the barouches burlesqued the Alico and Kip Kliintdander thing, a "dame'' In blackface being con- spicuous In the tonneau. The general merriment assutned a New Year's cvc air to some extent, the atmosphere being carried Into the night places In a more accentuated (leKreo. Altiiou.;h theatre business was repcjrted "oft" In tho legit, the suprer clubs did briskly, a flock of reservations exceeding expectations generally. The drop-Ins actually made it unsusually uncomfortable for tlie limited rapacities. On the street corners, the CharUstonlng urchins held SAay on almost every street with the cops looking tho other way. Minstrel Stuff An Idea In place cards has won favor at homfc functions. Rach gu^st is uivcn a numbered card. T'pon its ba' I; are i>riiiteil answers. One ;;n<rt or the host lu fs as interlocutor, provided with a little booklet from which he reads qiKsiions after calling out the number of tho cards in sueees.siim or haphazard. Siiaco is providci fur other answers and questions which may be made as per.sunal as desired. Tho stunt Is r.'<ther pood fun after cocktails have been gcrved and starts the dinner oil with laugliior.