STORIES FROM AMERICAN. PAPERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 303, 20 December 1913, Page 17

STORIES FROM AMERICAN. PAPERS.

WICKEDNESS OF BEING THIN. Fat men who hitherto have groaned under their burden of adipose tlsßue may be a little consoled by statistics compiled by Bishop Quayle, of Washington, on the respective merits of thin men and fat men. "Man, when he Is lean," says the Bishop, "takes himself too seriously, aud is often wicked, as being lean, he does not find it .so easy to be happy, and conseque ltly good, as the fat man. Laughter and lapplness are the gifts of the fat man." POPULAR PRISON REFORM. "Durance vile" will be converted into a bower of flowers if Chief of Police Sebastian has his way. It was announced the other day that tbe Los Angeles police chief was busy with plans to place palms and potted flowers in the city gaol, in arches, in the corridors, and on the walls between the cells. "I hope soon to have the gaol looking like a hotel rather than a prison," said the chief. A newspaper suggests that several bars, with free lunches and free drinks, would be popular features of the projected "hotel." MEN'S INDECENT DRESS. The newest fashion, decollete for men, mode Its appearance In the Alvin Theatre, Pittsburg, the other night. Just after the curtain arose on the first act two young men dressed in the latest mode entered a lower bos. Little attention was paid to them until the curtain fell. Both men then turned toward the audience, and there was an audible gasp. They wore soft white shirts with soft roll collars arranged with deep V-shaped openings in front, exposing at least five inches of the chest. The audience recovering from the momentary shock, began to hoot and Jeer. Unable to stand the remarks hurled at them, the two young men left the theatre. THOUSANDS OF TONS OF COIN. About eighty-four tons of gold which lies in the United -States sub-treasury in Wall street, New York, guarded night and day by a small army of watchmen with a battery of machine guns, is being counted by nine men sent over from the Treasury Department at Washington. Between 23,000 and 30,000 tons of silver also is being counted, as well as several million dollars in bills and a few tons of nickels and coppers. The task will keep nine skilled men busy for three -weeks. At the end of that time they are expected to inform -Martin Vogel, assistant United! States treasurer, iv charge of the New- York sub-treasury, that he has 171.103,280.12 dollars of Government funds in his keeping. Mr. Vogel took office in October last, and became responsible for the money vaults. MURDER BY MOTOR CAR. A judicial decision, considered of great Importance as a precedent, -was made la Chicago on November 1 by Judge Fenimore Cooper, when he declined to grant a new trial -to two men convicted of murder committed la the use of automobiles. There have been convictions for manslaughter In similar circumstances, but this la the first instance In Illinois of conviction and sentence for murder. The defendants, Frank Hrodek and Launence ILlndbloom, were convicted In Judge Cooper's Court of killing Patrick J. Condon, a retired merchant, and Joseph Weiss, a cigar manufacturer. Iv both cases testimony was adduced showing that defendants had been drinking and were driving without regard to the safety of pedestrians. Condon's body was dragged for a block before Hrodek stopped his machine. Both defendants are chauffeurs. AN APPALLING DEATH BOLL. Tlie killing o! children by automobiles in New York's streets during October was the most appalling month's record of the kind in the history of the city, with the exception of September's record, according to the report L«sued by the National Highways Protective Society. Thirty-six children were killed during the month, all but three of these deaths being due to automobiles. For the year 102 children were killed by automobiles and 227 by all classes of traffic in New York City. For persons of all ages killed by automobiles the total for the year was 239, an increase, with two months yet to come, of 18 over 1912. With respect to children killed in this city, the report points out that while they made up 00 per cent, of the deaths in the rest of the State they make up only 13 per cent, of the fatuities due to traffic. SURGICAL CURE OF CRIME.

Two prisoners who were sent from Benlon Harbour to Chicago by Circuit Court Judge Bridgemau to undergo operations by Dr. Pratt of Evanston, Illinois, for the cure of moral delinquency, returned on November C and faced the court. "J am a man now," said George Corbett, one of the men. lie srtood erect; before the operation his shoulders sagged. His eyes were clear and he had the appearance of one who is sound morally and physically. Clarence Chappell, the other man, had pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary aud was known as the leader of a gang of toughs. "I believe I am tured," V said. "I want to lead a decent life." Judge Bridgemnn announced that the two men would be paroled and their actions carefully watched. "I believe they have been morally regenerated," said the Judge, '.'and If they prove the correctness of my theory, more prisoners will be sent to the operating table instead of prison." AN ADVERTISING PARSON. The Rev. Frank H. Ebr.lght, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Whltestone Long Island, believes that advertising is as' necessary in church work as in business. His views on advertising were shown in this advertisment which appeared la the Whltestone Herald:

"Stolen, Strayed, Lost or Mislaid: "Missing—Last Suudap, many families from church.

"Stolen—Several hours from the Lord's day by a great number of people.

"Strayed—Half a hundred lambs; went in the direction of no Sunday school.

"Mislaid—A quantity of silver coins owed to the Lord.

"Wanted—Scores of young people. When last seen were walking up 'Sabbath Breaker's Lane,' which leads to 'No Good.'

"Lost-A lad carefully reared. Not long from home. Supposed to have gone to Husk lane, Prodigal Town.

"Any person assisting In the discovery of the above shall In nowise lose his reward.

"Whlteston M. B. Church. Get the habit."