Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-24
ATLANTIC CITY
EASTER CROWD
BIGGEST EVER
Skies We're Sullen and Thus
Darkened Picture, but the
Crowd Grew Anyhow
FINE CLOTHES IN HIDING
Bv a star Correspondent

tlge. Aided by the sun, both are hope
full that the disappointed Easter paraders
may be able to shine forth in all the
spiendor of their wardrobes. Many WIS.,
itors, who regarded the Boardwalk dem
onstration of yesterday as somewhat of
fiasco, are remaining over today. as are
others whose best bib and tucker was
shrouded by raincoat and umbrella on
the greatest day in Queen Fashions calen-
dar.
Like the cheerful cherub." the Easter
visitor to Atlantic takes a rosy view of
the most unfavorabe conditions, and
so IL Easter Sunday does prove unfavor-
able there is brightness behind the clouds.
Then, too, there is Easter Monday, and
this afternoon was awaited by many thou
sands of Atlantic City sojourners, whose
original intention had been to return to
their homes last night or this morning.
Atlantic City itself is recuperating to-
day from the greatest Easter attack in its
career Philadelphia Is receiving back
in thousands, her sons and daughters. who
were the backbone of that vast army of
holiday occupation.
Like the ravages of a belligerent force,
the seashore hotel men characterize the
onslaught of that Easter crowd. Propri.
etors of hostelry and restaurant awoke
this morning to find themselves literally
"eaten out of house and home" General
~ they are prepared to offer food and
missary of the islands numerous hotels
shows that the managers were over
whelmed by the enormous hungry and
houseless host of Saturday and yester-
day.
ALL COULD NOT EAT.
Even dinner guests could not be accom-
modated Applicants for dining-room
reservations at hotels like the Traymore,
Marlborough -Blenheim, Dennis and Brigh-
Nnr nh1 iUnI tn rob aIu tbnra for
their midday meal Pleadings OF former
patronage were of no avail The dining
rooms were filled to capacity, and in some
instances, the arrangement of a second
dinner hour was necessary. Other houses
rejected such pleas outright. but with
reluctance. They simply could not handle
the crowds. Overnight business had
ceased on Saturday
Guests in the smaller hotels and in cot
tages Jared little better. unless they had
arranged advance accommodations. Many
male visitors arose this morning from an
improvised couch-bed in lounge or lobby
and accounted themselves fortunate in it's
possession.
These are some of the items that go to
account for the S2OOO,OO0 or so, at which
figure the sum contributed to Atlantic
City by its Easter visitors is reckoned
As they left steam or electric trains at
station or ferry house this morning or
last night the local contingent OF depart.
point. They had been units in the great
est Easter population in Atlantic Citys
history.
They had defed drab and sullen skies
They had traversed the boardwalk from
inlet to Chelsea. They had been seen
and recognized as participants in that
seemingly unending procession. Cheerful
"reminiscences of that experience obliter-
ated all of its attendant discomforts in
their minds.
WOMEN WERE BRAVE.
The feminine portion of the homeward.
bound pilgrims possess their share of
pride and satisfaction at their achieve
ment. To them the trip is far from lack
ing compensation Bravely attired, they
had set at naught the rain and piercing
dampness. Hundreds of women prone
naded the ocean bordering esplanade dur
ing the morning, even II their specially
made toggery hid beneath fur or rain
coat. Again in the afternoon, when the
sun struggled to peep through the clouds
and make the parade the real success II
deserved to be, the number of women who
ventured out from the hotels to the
Boardwalk was surprisingly large. The
chill winds and occasional showers OF
the evening also failed to daunt them and
they passed along gallantly before the
admiring masculine occupants of piers,
pavilions and hotel entrances.
Ihere was less or Satisfaction IN the
Homecoming of juvenile Philadelphia from
the shoreward outing. Ocean bathing and |
sand sport alike were out of the question |
The bucket and shovel. together with the |
invariable box of salt water taffy, could |
only compensate In part for the regret |
generally felt. and as generally expressed |
by the younger eXcursionists, whose day |
at the shore had been turned into one OF |
sorrow after so many days of eager antici |
patton.
Collectively the Easter gathering was |
unique even for Atlantic City. In number |
IL was pre.eminent. Sartorially 1t was |
equal to any previous assemblage of |
dress or fashion. 1t partook more OF the |
cosmopolitan in its composition than any |
OF its predecessors,
BEST CLOTHES ARE HIDDEN.
But the multitude of the crowd was not
apparent to the casual onlooker yester-
day because of the tickle sun. The wind
that swept across the island from off |
shore" compelled the promenaders to con-
ceal their brilliant and modish Eaiment
under balmacaan, furs and oyercoats.
The ebbing tide of humanity that swept |
into Philadelphia last night and this
morning was only fragment of the great
Hood OF Easter travellers which inundated
Atlantic City over the holiday The re-
mainder. a considerable one. is expected |
to start hOmewaTd this evening. The |
roads and the strain upon the hotelmen
Is thus relieved.
While no additional trains We're run
by either the Reading or Pennsylvania
systems the schedules were so adjusted
that the regular trains throughout the
evening on both roads were run in sec
tons. Each section consisted OF 10 or
more cars, on the steam lines, while the
three sections OF the electric train leay-
ing the shore at O'Clock last night COM
prised 22 coaches and was in three di-
visions The early start, on account of
the inclement weather. proved a great
help to the railroads In distributing the
passengers throughout the evening instead
Of the usual grand rush for the last trains
The number who remained overnight at
the resort was an additional factor in
facilitating maintenance OF train schedules
and accommodation.
Atlantic City resumed its usual, aspect
this morning. The licensed cafes reopen
ed after closing Saturday night legally at |
midnight, but virtually hours before.
when their seating capacity had become
exhausted. This condition prevailed at
the Islesworth and some Of the Board
0alk resorts two or three hours before
the Saturday closing hour arrived. Barred
and guarded entrances told the story of
ths state of affairs within.
lIEha dorfafat ahong today aIaa ahnvv fha |