"Unfair Mission"

Thirty years ago the notorious Johnny Callahan, famed Manhattan Bowery gangster, announced that he had heeded the call of "Jerusalem Slim"* and would gamble and riot no more. Now he is the Rev. John Callahan, Superintendent of the Hadley Rescue Hall, No. 293 Bowery. At 7 p. m. every evening he admits some 175 vagrants, who are permitted to sleep on the floor of the mission during the night, but must arise and depart at 5 a. m. lest they slumber while they might be looking for work.

Last week a "strike" against this early rising-hour was called by famed Urbain Ledoux, the "Mr. Zero" whose sensational stunts in behalf of Bowery bums have made him widely known as "President of the Old Bucks and Lame Ducks Club."

Three years ago he set up an auction block and knocked down jobless men to such "bidders" as would offer them employment. Last winter he marched crowds of hoboes into Manhattan churches, alleging that they could find no other shelter, but was eventually restrained from such actions by the police.

Last week his "strike" against the early rising-hour enforced at the Rev. "Johnny's" Mission took the form of a parade by shabbily dressed men carrying placards:

"Unfair Mission--Let Us Out in the Cold at 5 A. M."

"Strike!" Unfair Mission--Locked Out at 5 A. M."

"Unfair Mission--Put Out at 5 A. M., Rain or Shine."

"For God's Sake Let Us Out at 6 A. M., Not at 5 A. M."

Mr. A. S. Alloway, Acting Superintendent of the mission in the absence of Reformed Gambler Callahan, rushed forth and peered at the signs through his tortoise-shell glasses.

"Get out!" he cried to "Mr. Zero." "This mission has been in existence for 20 years and we don't need you to tell us how to run it. Get out, or I'll call the police!"

To reporters "Mr. Zero" cried: "That mission kicks the poor bums out at 5 a. m. even on Sunday, when there's no chance to get work. . . . People ask me what my game is. I have no game. I merely try to do good."

*A Bowery equivalent for Jesus of Nazareth.