A Sweep Is as Lucky as Lucky Can Be

Germany's Harry Hallman has had gas heating since the 1990s, and he says he doesn't need his chimney swept. But when he refused, the local chimney sweep didn't take no for an answer. He got the local police to break in, handcuff Hallman and hold him until the sweep finished his business. A 1937 law requires all chimneys to be checked four times a year, at $200 a visit, and it allows sweeps to enlist police and firefighters to break down doors if the owner resists. More than 100,000 Germans have organized to get the law changed.