Miscellany: Nov. 4, 1929

“Next!”

“Next!” say the barbers. “What next?” ask their clients, amazed at the number of things an up-to-date barber can do to willing subjects—haircuts, shaves, shampoos, massages, tonics, vibrations, bobs, curls, waves, electric treatments.

The barbers’ answer to the question “what next?” was given last week in St. Paul, Minn., where 600 delegates and more than 1,500 visitors attended the sixth annual convention of the Master Barbers’ Association of America (700 nationwide chapters). Present, of-course, was far-sighted President Otto Ewert of Chicago. Early he struck the progressive note which was to dominate the convention. “It is necessary,” said he, “to popularize the facial. Men may consider the facial effeminate. Once they thought the same of brushing their teeth.” President Ewert’s sentiments were promptly echoed by the barbers assembled. Said one: “Those of us who rely entirely on shaves and haircuts for existence must be ranked with the village tonsorial artist who makes a sideline of pulling teeth.” A barber of standards, it was pointed out, would necessarily have studied hygiene, bacteriology, histology of the hair, skin, nails, muscles, and nerves. He would know the structure of the face and neck. He would be able to bleach and tint hair.

Stress was placed on the need for organization, education, and legislation. In the latter connection, the barbers paid tribute to the convention state, Minnesota, as nearly as any an ideal state for barbering.

Champion

In Berlin, one Max Hinel, 22, n 5-pound cobbler, ate 75 eggs in ten and a half minutes, thus beating the former world’s record by one egg, 90 seconds. Champion Hinel’s training meals Consisted of two tureens of potato soup, 40 eggs or four pounds of preserved meat with bread.

Chains

In Atlanta, Ga., Mrs. H. H. Reid chains her husband’s car to the back porch to keep him home on Sunday afternoons.

Golden Wedding

In Racine, Wis.. Edward and Mary Sieger commemorated their golden wedding anniversary by being remarried. At the end of the ceremony Mrs. Sieger fell dead.

Rescue

In Kizhuyak Bay, Alaska, one Anton Larson, 68, lost his false teeth as he pulled his boat’s anchor out of ten fathoms of water. He dropped the anchor, took a deep breath, pulled himself down the chain to the bottom, rescued the teeth.

Story

In Winsted, Conn., one Wesley Cowles fished a stream, dropped his ring, fished on, caught a fish, found the ring inside.

Trade

In Shreveport, La., a puppy was stolen from the porch of one T. R. Renois. In its place was left a baby with a broken jaw. The baby soon died.

Oldtimer

In Wilmington, Mass., one Joseph Wharton, 79, paused to pick up a nickel dropped by a stranger in a bank, had his life savings ($950) whisked from his hip pocket while he bent over.

Thief

In Chicago, one David Petros, Persian frankfurter vendor, went to the police station, moaned through an interpreter that his equipment had been stolen.

“Write the name of the man you suspect on this dotted line,” said the desk sergeant. Puzzled by the interpreter’s translation, Petros wrote his own name, went home. There a police officer met him, took him to jail, locked him up for the night.

Camouflage

In Chicago, delegates to the annual meeting of the Institute of American Meat Packers displayed bottles of liquid cosmetics. Purpose: to dye the skins of frankfurters in seven shades (blonde to brunette) with any color combinations.

Test

In Chicago, 52 civil service aspirants appeared at City Hall where they undressed, were measured, answered questions on law, diplomacy, U. S. history, the number of dogs in Chicago. This procedure eliminated all but 21 who were sent into another room, made to chase imaginary dogs in a hypothetical back yard. One Philip Keafta, who had chinned himself 45 times, held his breath 45 seconds, ran about the room, tripped on a taut wire hazard, fell and broke his ankle. He was qualified, however, and when he emerges from the hospital will, be s City Dog Catcher, salary $2,200 a year.