The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-30
COMMUTERS MIN AND DRINK.
MIIionares. Domestics and Clerks in Their
Irrigation Station.

Irrigation Station
They ay that some Of the new hotels in
the neigtborhood have SKINNED the cream
from the ~trade-oarried off some Of the
millionafes who used to line up at the bar
with the postmen from across the street and
the bagagemen from the station. Some
millionailes may have exchanged the virtues
Of the oil fashioned bar for the flashing
cafes. bu, there are enough Of the top layer
left to provide the variety which has always
been the special feature OF the place.
For years the stream Of commuters
bound honeward has lost some OF its volume
Just before the station was reached This
branch wandered or rushed, according to
the amount Of time on Its hands, past the
fruit coulter n the cigar stand, past a
wall Of bottles and cases and finally reached
the open bay that contains the bar.
Here an piled to the ceiling boxes con-
tanning wlisk eys and other liquors from
cordials to champagne, Over these prowls
usually a arge gray cat which has been
there sincethe oldest patron can remember
and seems TO be still enjoying excellent
health.
This real room, which would not be pos
sible as a first class bar in any other large
city Of the world, has no light from outside
and all day the gas fickers to relieve the
gloom. Across from the bar, which ex-
tends along one side OF the room, is a free
lunch counter which in its appointments
does differ only in one detail from the same
kind Of annex TO the ordinary Eleventh
avenue ginnill. This difference is that the
free lunch 10 much more liberal in supply
than il usually is and over it's variety there
presides a waiter.
Yesterday there was a typical group
against the counter. There were tree
handsomely dressed men together. Next
were two coachmen. One was a negro
and both were in livery.
Two smooi faced men who had the
pasty look Of domestic servants and were
probably q butler and a second man stood
near them. Further down was a hand
some giant with his sleeves turned up and
wearing the blue trousers Of a baggage
man.
Presently a group Of four very plainly
dressed men entered the bar; They looked
like clerks. Three men swelteringly tuck
70 the work OF mixing drinks.
Nobody could fail TO be impressed by the
~inconRruities Of the scene. Nc other bar
room in New York unites such elements:
The dingy surroundings, the obvious lack
Of tidiness and the mixture OF men in the
place are unique.
you would wonder more than ever what
brought them here said a patron OF the
place, aif you knew who all these men were.
One in that group OF three is worth 5000, 000
II he is worth a cent. He OWNS a palace in
the suburbs and is on his way there now,
sThe two men who came over with him
from the Racquet Club are also rich and as
Important as he In society and business.
They have been coming in here for years
and IL used to be said that the Innings OF
half the stomachs in the county had been
ruined in this place.
This Is the commuters barroom par
excellence. Here they can run the last
minute before the train leaves and here-I
sorry to say-they sometimes come
early in the morning 80 soon as the train