Harrisburg Telegraph

HOODOOED FILLUM NEAR
DISASTER FOR THIRD
TIME

The 11.40 Pennsy train bound west yesterday very nearly had a passenger who was determined never to let Governor Brumbaugh, or Secretary Ball, or Chief Engineer Uhler of the Highway Department, as well as half a hundred other distinguished citizens, see him in the flesh again. As things turned out the 11.40 went west without this particular passenger, but he aged visibly between 11.29 and 11.33 yesterday. For the third time the "film" showing the dedication of the William Penn Highway Easton concrete link very narrowly missed showing. And Secretary "Mel" James of the William Penn association at noon looked like he had worked a 36-hour turn in a rolling mill.

According to the William Penn secretary the Easton "film" is hoodooed. It was originally scheduled for a private showing for the Governor and Highway Department officials in the House chamber at the Capitol. All arrangements had been made - the picture machine installed, the screen hung, and everything. Governor Brumbaugh and other officials were ready. Alas! The "film" was lost, nor was it found for two days. That was a week ago last Friday. The next time the secretary issued no invitations, fortunately for him. But he intended showing the picture to the school teachers in institute last week; and when everything was ready he thought of asking the Governor over.

Unfortunately, while the film was on hand and the screen hung, the trunk containing the picture machine was locked, the regular operator had disappeared and the substitute couldn't open the cases.

Yesterday morning the films were on hand, the machines ready, and the audience sitting in the Majestic theater. The showing was scheduled for 11.30. At 11.28 the operator, who had been in readiness at 11.10, was absolutely missing. A substitute had been secured by 11.29, but the Majestic booth and was ready to proceed. At back-stage might have witnessed Secretary James and Manager Hopkins of the Majestic pacing up and down, doing what is popularly known as muttering imprecations. At 11.31 the secretary was observed nervously inspecting a time table. At 11.31 he was about ready to notify Secretary Tom Lynch of the Water Commission that the latter's Market street house would shortly be shy a tenant. At 11.32 Manager Hopkins and the secretary nervously tottered toward the top gallery to see what the suboperator was doing. There they saw that the sub had broken the lock on the booth and was ready to proceed. At 11.32½ the filming of the Easton event was being screened—at last! last!

But the 11.40 very nearly had an unexpected passenger.