The Washington herald., 1908-01-19


pie food of the poor produces less fat and
better health than does the rich, complex
table fare TO which their own palates have
been accustomed, some Of Chicago's
wealthy women are voluntarily subjecting
themselves 10 a test in physical culture
Of the digestion" says the New York
Tribune. Their first object, they admit. is
to reduce flesh by means of natural Meth
DDS. IN making this admission they whis-
per with horror in hushed tones that
most of the society ladies' Of Chicago are
becoming entirely too stout
There is another motive behind this cui-
mary reformation-the motive of practie-
/ ing economy even in the homes Of the
wealthy. For this the recent financial
situation Is responsible. In the popular
mind there Is, perhaps, always an impress
sion that the wives Of rich men never
make any personal sacrifices in expendi-
lures. no matter what the state of the
c0untry's prosperity. Yet these women.
most Of whom have bank accounts Of
their own, as well as the use Of their
/ husbands fortunes, have fixed 81 as the
maximum cost of a formal fashionable
1 luncheon for eight persons and have
gaugcd all their household expenses IN
/ proportion, even TO the Sunday dinner
While the wives and mothers are thus
saving money and setting an example
which they hope will be copied, at least
/ hfty young women who are about to be
married are studying the new system with
a view 10 putting It into practice in their
homes, These young women are now
serving as maids in the houses of matrons
who have Joined in the dietary reform
movement
Ordinarily" said one Of the matrons.
/ the ladys maid is extravagant if not
wasteful, but as these girls who are going
10 be married soon are certainly trying
TO learn from us how TO make 81 go the
furtheTest "
Health Improved.
Already one Of the matrons declares
that her health has been improved by a
six weeks trial Of the new system. and
that she would not give il up for any
thing"
It's the same way with all Of us who
have tried IT," she added. we are sur
prised, as well as overjoyed, at the re-
suits Contrary to general opinion, the
wealthy wOmans duties are extremely
arduOus, and she must have strength Of
no common kind TO meet them. We
noticed that the labOring class was
healthier and stronger than the fashion
able set. we concluded the reason must
lie Ga the food. Since we adopted the
simple fare headaches among US have
become the exception, and we no longer
feel tagged out or limp as a dishrag after
q function lasting late into the night"
AS II to destroy the theory that 10
good can come out Of card playing thIs
movement originated as a whist party.
The participants for years had been play
ing whist together every other Tuesday
afternoon. the games being preceded by
elaborate Iuncheons. in which pate de
f0le gras, truf1es. Russian caviaTe, lob
ter. and similar things were served. The
pinch Of the financial stringenCy was
Just beginning TO be felt in the business
world OF Chicago. There was talk OF is
suing clearinghouse checks and Of bus
mess men foregoing meals at the club
for a place on a stool at the luncheon
counter
Il think we ought 20 retreneh,' said
one Of the guests at the whist party.
we could have just as much pleasure
II we should adopt some game besides
whist and play without prizes.
I'VE wouldn't save much by abohshing
the prizes" said another. I suggest that
we ought to economize on our luncheons'
Yes. and that reminds me- said a
third. that my doctor remarked the
other day that our foods are too rich
for our health
say They Are Too Fast.
There verbal exchanges interrupted the
game. and the eight women began seri-
ously to discuss the financial situation,
their own health and how they might
help remedy conditions.
We might eat sandwiches suggested
one.
Yes, or ham and" said another.
"Or corned beef hash.' urged third.
well, I'll tell you what 1t IS, added a
fourth Something IS making all OF Us
too 5at-not only our party, but nearly
all the society women I know We
ought to allow our st0machs to get
acquainted with some Of the simple but
wholesome dishes Of the poor We
night not Ike il az first, but I believe
we would have better health and would
head off this tendency to stoutness.
Before the playing Of the afternoon was
resumed the eight women had decided
that the luncheon for the next party
should not cost more than 81. or 1253
cents apiece. It was the custom for the
women 20 take turns in being hostess
for the games. Under the new arrange
ment the hostess for the next and all
succeeding. games must present an item
lied account covering the cost OF the
luncheon If the total exceeded 81 she
was TO be fined the full cost of the lunch
con. the fine 10 so TO charity,
The first menu under the dietary pro-
gramme consisted Of fried chicken.
Creamed potatoes, lettuce salad, Wash
ingtOn pie, coffee. jelly, olives, and hot
biscuit The hostess itemiZed statement
did not contain the jelly. olives. coffee.
or material for the biscuits. She eX-
planned that she happened to have these
items IN the house, and as her bill for
the other things served at the luncheon
did not cost quite 81 il was agreed she
need not be fined
Poor people don't eat chicken very
often" declared one Of the women.
No, but they might replied the host
ess. 'eYou see, we had some left"
At the next luncheon Goldfish balls.
Saratoga potatoes, asparagus salad.
lemon cream pie, fig jam, coffee, and hot
biscuits constituted le meal
Creamed salmon. shOestTing potatoes.
cabbage salad, orange jelly, cake, coffee,
and bread were served at the third meet
ing.
TabuIated Menu.
The fourth hostess thought that up to
date those who had entertained had not
got near enough to the simple food OF
the poor" that palmer dishes were neces-
sary. When she served her luncheon she
presented an itemized statement as fol-
lows.
COmed beef hash s. Il
Banana salad
Glngered pears 10
lee cream 80
MerHgues with the ice cream. IS
Cream for coffee.