SUPERSTITIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 9

SUPERSTITIONS.

NEW YORK EXHIBITS

THE MISSING THIRTEENTH.

NEW YORK, December 28,

At Columbia University, that stony pile of learning in the north central •part of the city, two psychologists, Dr. Julius B. Mailer and Dr. Berhard E. Lundeen, have had a look-see into the nation's superstitions. They report the existence of men and women who will not cut their nails on Friday, Saturday or Sunday; of sailors who believe and will "prove" that the landing of a bird on deck always precedes a death; of stage folk who would as soon slit their throats' as have you whistle in their dressing rooms; and of business men who choose Friday to catch up on their correspondence and bridge lessons because they will 'not conclude a deal on that "evil" day.

The doctors warn you not to be surprised if you cannot find a thirteenth floor in the great majority oE hotels, office buildings and apartment houses. They suggest that no astonishment is necessary at the sight of seamen throwing their caps after a receding tide, because the boys are only wishing them-selves-luck. And, of course, they indicate that not one lifted eyebrow need greet the story of Harmel's wishing tree. Here actor folk of colour stood and wished for jobs, and ite departure to make room for a widening of the street created such a storm of distress that a new wishing tree had to be pla'nted.

Western Jinx Swatters. Tn Hollywood the psychologists found rich soil for their prob : .ng9. Edward G. Robinson, it seems, carries an Indian ring, and he feels it surrounds all the luck he can ever have. Lillian Harvey loads her handbag; down with charm's. These vary in size and use. For instance, si stumble calls for the white elephant. She takes three steps backward and smiles gaudily at the charm, the idea being that it will then be coaxed into preventing any further falls. Aline MaoMahon carries a ten of diamonds wherever her steps may take her. Jane Cowl has a rag doll given her by the late David Belasco, and burdens "it with her defence. Those who look to celestial stars for guidance include Miriam Hopkins, Joan Crawford and Evelyn Laye. And wasn't there a story a while ago about J. P. Morgan? Clark Gable learns about his tall, dark women from a clairvoyant, and somebody has Sheila Manners' number. She is a nnmerologist, and won't live in a house, employ a telephone or accept license plates whose numbers do not suit her aura. Just in Case. Fifth Avenue hasn't a No. 13, and there is even less of a No. 13 on Broadway. And at police headquarters more than 30,000 respectable residents of the town are said to have voluntarily placed their finger-prints on file. • Their idea is that after the excited exclamation mark of here-and-now life has rounded off into the great, grave question mark of the hereafter, they will want any finger-prints their ghosts leave around checked. This is not to say that any major part of them believe in ghoets. It's just in case —. (N.A.N.A.)