Phoenix Stunt

Florenz (Follies) Ziegfeld, as everyone knows, knows legs.

Heber MacDonald of Manhattan, smart and cheery Phoenix Hosiery press agent, saw no reason why Glorifier Ziegfeld's knowledge should not be employed in a simple scheme. He, Heber MacDonald, would send out thousands of letters soliciting the measurements of U. S. legs. Leg-wise Ziegfeld would then be asked to measure the legs of that one of his Zigs (chorus girls) whose legs were perfect. Thereupon Press Agent Mac-Donald would examine his copious correspondence and award to each writer whose dimensions checked with the Ziegfeld figures many a pair of hose, both Simian and Windburn. Thus, with their discovery of worthy legs, would credit redound to Leg-wise Ziegfeld and Hose-wise Phoenix.

Last fortnight began the Ziegfeld-Phoenix Survey. Unwilling to trust U. S. females, often too lackadaisical to measure their own legs, Press Agent MacDonald sent his letters to males, inviting them to find their subjects, to measure. The letters were addressed "Dear Little Playmate . . . Bear Fellow Surveyor" and contained many spurring phrases: "It ought to be a very pleasant adventure even if it should require a heap of patience. . . . Bulls have been doing their stuff for some time. Why not consider the calf? ... I imagine you will have a heap of fun. . . . Everybody seems to be hav-ing a good time."

Still more cogently, Press Agent Mac-Donald enclosed with each letter a tape measure and a chart with blanks for the desired dimensions: Hip to Knee; Thigh (at the thickest part); Knee to Ankle;

Knee (over knee cap) ; Calf (at thickest point); Ankle (at slenderest part). Thus last week many a drug store cow boy, office Lothario, and department Don Juan was busy measuring. Press Agent MacDonald reported further measuring by several Congressmen, one U. S. Sena tor, frequenters of Park Avenue and the New York Stock Exchange. One clubman, attending a party, was reported to have sent a hurry call for many more measurement blanks. But, selfish, he asked for no more tape measures. Meanwhile Glorifier Ziegfeld had found what he called "the loveliest legs in America." They belong to Barbara Newberry. 18, for four years a Zig. At 9 she studied and pirouetted under Ballerina Rosina Galli of the Metropolitan Opera Company, appearing in La Juive, Parsifal, Oberon. Lovely-legged Barbara will be sculped by Mahroni Young, painted by Everett Shinn. But not yet will Glorifier Ziegfeld reveal her dimensions. He must wait until Press Agent MacDonald's returns are in.