Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-12-13
SIDE TALK.

An important event of the week is
the fourteenth annual convention of
the American Federation of Labor
which is being held in Denver. There
will be many matters of importance
before the meeting and the delibera-
tions of the delegates will be of great
interest, not only to labor organizations,
but to all patriotic Americans. Among
the questions which will be brought be-
fore the convention is one concerning
the advisability of the establishment
of national labor commission of Is /;
five from the agricultural interests, five
from the manufacturing and five from
labor organizations. 1t is proposed that
the commission be created by congress.
A silver resolution of sufficient strength
to satisfy the western delegates will
very likely be adopted and it is rumored
that there will be an effort made to in
troduce several socialistic and anarchis-
tic resolutions. All of the labor leaders
of this country and some from abroad
are in Denver. John Burns, the Eng
lish labor leader, has been in this coun-
try about a week and is now at the con-
vention. Burns is a working man and
a member of the British house of COM
mons. He has undoubted ability and
his leadership covers a long period.
We do not, however, believe in his
teachings and think the less he breaches
his doctrines in the United States the
better it will be for us. He frankly
says that he considers it his duty to
give advice to the American laborers,
and unquestiOnably he intends to do
so. If we correctly understand him,
he would tax the few for the benefit of
the many, and would tax them SO
heavily as to eventually abolish indi-
vidual property. We have no use for
John Burns with his sOcialistic ideas,
fuence will be felt. The resolutions of
with care by all thoughtful people who
are watching the movements in labor
circles. 1t is time when true Amer
lean principles should be advanced !;
Burns is not safe advisor. We wish
him pleasant trip home.
We suppose very many of our read
ers have been around New York city in
a busy day. Really, all days are busy
ones, but, when the shoppers are out
in full force we can but be impressed
with the magnitude of a city that sends
such an array of men, women and chill
dren surging up and down her most
popular trading streets. We have no
ticed, too, the effect that hard times
had upon these streets and retail stores
One could feel depression in the air and
certainly he could notice it in the alb
sence of rush about the special bar
gain counters. One would think by
reading of the magnificent hotels that
the majority of rich people must spend
their time in eating and drinking to
the support OF them but comparative
ly few busy people find time to lunch
or dine at the hotels unless they are
regular guests. The person who has
the time and the money can easily
spend five dollars for dinner and wine
and still be very moderate in both eat
ing and drinking. The man in pusi-
ness or the woman shopping will have
a lunch costing from Is to SO cents and
still be happy. There is one unique
place in New York where men lunch
that is a study at midday. 1t is a
beautiful room with the ordinary food
counter and fixings. Upon the walls
are religious quotations which show at
once that there is no wine sold. Rows
of chairs with the arms SO arranged as
so hold cup of coffee or plate fill all
available space. The counter is loaded
with sandwiches, puddings, pies, and
many other little things to which pa
irons help themselves. The man in
search of ''quick lunch" goes in, looks
about for chair, takes off his hat and
places it in it. He then goes to the
counter, orders cup of coffee, helps
himself to anything and everything he
likes, goes back to his chair and eats at
his leisure. When he goes out he reck-
ons up his own bill, selects check
for the amount Of his purchases, pays
the cashier and disappears. This place,
and others similar, are patronized by
fine people, and the usual checks call
for 20 and Is cents. In other localities
one must stand to eat. There is always
a rush at these lunches and we often
wonder if every person is honest inh is
reckonings, and what means are taken
to guard against "mistakes." The
women have many elegant places
where they are equally well served at
very moderate prices. We like the city,
for no matter how rich or how poor a
body feels he can always suit himself
SO far as living is concerned but, we
enjoy the country for its quiet, steady,
everyday way of getting along. All
told, the city is a splendid place to Wis
it, and every one who lives in the coun-
try should spend at least a week in
some large city every year. 1t would
cost but little and would be profitable
investment.