LIONISING BINNS.

Evening Star, Issue 14053, 7 May 1909, Page 2

LIONISING BINNS.

Jack Binns, the wireless operator of the Republic, was the object of a demonstration in New York which embarrassed him not a little, but pleased an audience of several hundreds at the Hippodrome who witnessed it. Bums had been taken, by some friends for the evening to this resort, where a mixed performance is given, of which the chief feature is the Bird Ballet, performed by some 200 dancers supported by an equal number of chorus girls. The performance winds tip with this ballet, and just at the finish Binns, who was sitting in a proscenium box next to the stage, was “spotted” by one of the leading performers. who came to the footlights and announced :

“Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you Mr C. Q. D. Binns, the hero of the Republic.” The initials, of course, are in reference to the wireless message signal sent out hour after hour by Binns from the Republic, meaning that the ship was in danger and asking for help. The whole audience rose to their feet and shouted and cheered, while the discomforted Binns sought to escape from the box. His friends blocked his passage, however, and a couple of stage hands grasped him by the arms and pulled him on to the stage. He tried to rush behind the scenes, when he was surrounded by the members of the Bird Ballet and the chorus, and dragged to the front again. Here, in response to repeated demands for a speech. Binns said: “I wish I could get out of this. I only did my duly.” When the curtain dropped the 400 girls on the stage prevented his escape at once, and Binns was repeatedly kissed until rescued by the stage manager.— ‘ Daily Chronicle ’ correspondent.