Daily Republican., 1879-08-27
ssFes hfOn and Famine"

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 26.-"Fashion
and Famine" proved taking title for
novel, but the fiction was not more
thrilling or so full of romance as the
practical details of every day life. The
Italian silk weavers' appeal to the fair
ladies who have lately favored the less
expensive but beautiful textures in
linen and cotton is very suggestive,
and conveys an idea Of the sufferings
of workers as class who are thrown
out Of employment by the economy Of
those who are able to indulge Fashion
in her freaks. Looking at Fashion from
this standpoint, 1t must be conceded
that the Queen is patron Of labor,
and to her conceits many families are
indebted for their home comforts and
daily bread. Speaking of Fashion calls
to mind noticeable fact which may be
observed in many families, and an ex-
PLANTATION would be gratefully receiv-
ed.
Why is it that the lady who is SO
prompt in paving her washerwoman
her well-earned dollar, as soon as the
days work is finished SO often asks the
weary seamstress, who patiently waits
in the hall with her heavy bundle of
work to "wait few days for the money
due her." regardless of the fact that
women who sew for living are usually
quite as much in need of cash as the
laundress
That question has nothing to do with
the province Of a writer on styles. You
are mistaken, and in proof positive
some hints will open your eyes to the
labor created by fashion.
Now, there is Wanamaker, the mer-
chant prince of Philadelphia. Have
you any idea Of the magnitude Of his
business and the constant revenue his
store proves to hundreds "f industrial
bran.hes2 Without reference to the
thirty distinct departments and the
statesmen and women there employed,
or the outside manufactures which
would perhaps be closed but for the
trade Wanamaker has created in our
midst, attention should be called to
other facts which are usually passed
by unnoticed. Housecleaners daily
wash the floors of the vast building
and the numberless windows are kept
clear and clean; porters are employed
to do the heavy lifting and to open
boxes; carpenters art constantly at
work making alterations and improve
nents in the building, and drivers are
kept busy delivering packages in vari-
ous portions of the city from the uni
que little wagons, so we'll known by
our city residents as belonging to the
Grand Depot, together with boxes and
bale wagon drivers, who transport the
heavy articles to and from the depots.
In summer ice men have reason to
bless the kindness Of Mr.. Wanamaker,
who provides the glass of cold water
for employees and patrons, and in win
ter coal and gas companies feel the
difference in their dividends, since the
Grand Depot is responsible for some OF
their accounts and, again, buyers and
sellers must eat, and not one quarter of
the purchasers and employees of the
establishment can be supplied with the
creature comforts in the building, hence
eating houses or restaurants in their
turn give work to laundresses, cooks
and walters for the benefit of the Grand
Depot.
"a big pud," did you say, for Wana-
makers Palace of Fashion
Nonsense true statement is not a
puff. Mr.. Wanamaker is down to Cape
May planning improvements in the
Grand Depot, and when the cats away
the mice will play, and the letter is
simply to please, Yours Truly,
M. Z. l..