New-York tribune., 1905-07-09
LUNCHEON IN CHICAGO.
Plenty of Time Taken for 1t bg
Business Men.

There is just one place in the hours of busi-
ness in which the Chicago man of affairs for
gets that he is in hurry, remembers that the
world was not made In a day and that engines
which run under full head of steam all the
time are soon worn out. This place is his lunch
con club. and he does not consider two hours
any too much time to spend there. The New
York man of similar position would consider
spending two hours over the MONDAY meal al
most criminal waste of time but the Chicago
man knows that he will work all the harder the
rest of the afternoon by loafing through four or
five courses luncheon.
The Chicago business day begins earlier than
Ii does in New-York. The difference of an hour
in time between New-York and Chicago may
have something to do with It, for no matter how
strenuously the Windy City may deny it Gotham
remains its pulse. When the New York Stock
Exchange opens for business it is o'clock in
Chicago, and the hustle and hustle of the busi-
ness day are well under way. In fact will
find great many men of affairs in their offices
at o'clock.
The pace is tremendous until noon If
the Chicago has business the street he
goes TO it like a countryman headed for fire
or a New-York policeman getting away from
trouble. He does not walk, but lopes along
dodging his fellows, scurrying from crossing
to crossing. The business district of Chicago is
not drawn in a long, slim line from Bat
terry 10 42d-st., 1t is in New-York. dozen
blocks square contain the major portion of it
retail, wholesale and financial. There is less
riding in cars and cabs for one can go faster
on foot, especially if il is Chicago foot.
The average Chicago office is exhibition of
time savers. The most handy telephones and
tickers are attached to the chiefs desk. Push
buttons TO call his assistants along the en-
tire front of the desk. He dictates into a phono-
graph out Of side of his mouth and chews
black cigars the other side. II you get to
him with your proposition at all you know that
you will have only two or three minutes at most
to put it before him. But then your time is
as valuable his and you learn perforce to be
concise.
So pass the hours from s o'clock until II :45
O'Clock. An carly breakfast means early
luncheon, for the Chicago appetite like the Chi
cago Deal-always with capital letter-is tre-
mendous. Like fireman turning out TO a mid
night alarm, the Chicago man slips into his coat,
for, of course, he has been working in shirt
sleeves. grabs his hat and rushes off TO his
luncheon club. But at the portals of his club
a change comes over him. He forgets that he
has been in hurry, remembering nothing
but that he has two hours to spare to the enjoy
ment of luncheon. 12O minutes away from bust
and Deals.
Perhaps the you have been watching
through the morning rush is a member Of the
Midday Club If so he steps into private ele-
vator and is whisked to the top floor of the
building of the First National Bank. which is
in the heart Of the business district. The club
organized two years ago, when the corner
stone of the bank building laid. 1t has
been in active operation for about six months
He goes into enormous room. pRnelled high
in white, with great windows three sides and
a skylight of stained glass over II all. 1t is
bright and airy room as one could possibly
find in Chicago, where thousands of factory
stacks spout the thick smoke Of soft coal twen-
ty-four hours a day.
Just in front of the entrance to this luncheon
room is q large serving table loaded with the
food which is served cold There most in
viting roasts of beef and lamb. Turkey and
chicken there awaiting the carving knife.
Huge dishes of salad of various sorts form the
outworlIs and there piles OF berries and
fruit in a most appetizing array All this by.
way of suggestion.
mental note of the dishes which appeal to him.
Then he seeks his favorite table. falling into
step with college chum or business friend
his way down the room. They inspect the menu
of hot dishes with care, and eventually write
out most generous order.
There is wine card on the back of the menu,
but at luncheon the Chicago man touches II most
lightly. few indulge in cocktail. More pass
the appetizer for Scotch and soda which
is served with the roast. 1t contains very lit
tie Scotch and much soda In a tall glass The
noon meal, does not end the Chicago mans bust
ness day New-York's o'clock luncheon does
for so many successful Gothamites.
The Tribune correspondent tried 10 get at the
reason for the luncheon situation Why was it
that who in a breathless hurry all the
rest of the business day could take two hours
out of the middle of II and seem to forget that
they lived for anything but good fellowship and
a fine meal?
The most likely answer seemed to be:
we don't have TO hurry at luncheon, for there
is hurry about getting home. We do not
have suburban homes rule like so many
New-Yorkers. and 1T suits better to let up
for while in the middle OF the day even though
have to keep at IL afterward until 4 or 8
o'clock in the afternoon"