Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-24
HYDE PARK DRONES
HOTLY ATTACKED
Con6seation of Their Horses and
Motor Cars Is Adj
vocated.
IDLE, WITH NATIONS AT WAR
Keep Buffers and Maids Busy
Performing Useless
Duties.
IDLE, WITH NATIONS AT WAR

LONDON. June 23.--iiyde Park
'.droncs" arc the subjec, OF bitter at
lacks in the newspapers. which apply
this term to those who use the beau
tiful spot for pleasure or driving.
Objection TO these 'droncs" has
grown very pronounced recently. and
arguments for the confiscation OF their
horses and motors have been advanced.
Keen irritation has especially been
felt at the sight of buffers taking we'll
fed pet dogs for an airing. while but
a short distance away long food lines
stretch out
Along with everybody else" says
the Express. they know that there is
a great demand for horses at the pres
cnt time. both for war and war ser
vice, and 1t is astonishing that there
should be people so unconcerncd as 10
what is going around then. as 10
retain horses merely for their own
selfish recreation. When the British
army wants horses, II has 10 send To
the Argentine for them. and chance
tho risk OF ships being torpcdoed or
mined whereas at the very door Of
splendid horses which ought 10 be com
Wandered.
There is great shortage OF petrol.
and automobile users are either rig idly
rationed or banned fresh supplies en-
tirely. Yet any sunny morning in the
plaisaunce between knghtSbridGe and
Hyde Park Corner row of elegant
limousines may be seen waiting the
convenience OF the riders in tho Row
who thus doubly Gin. by wasting both
horse and motor power.
Just at the very hour that their
luxurious motor cars are forming mp
By the side OF the Row and they are
going round the soft. sprinSy turf for
the ninth time. all sorts Of food queues
in different parts OF London are form
Ing up. But possibly they have never
heard OF food queues.
MAIDS AND BUTLERS
FOOLlSIiLI IDLE
Watching the equestrian exercises
usually are about dozen buffers or
maids. who are performing the obli-
6atory duty of taking the pct dogs out
for an airing and for an appetite. They
are what general in besieged town
would consider the useless mouths
the first 10 be thrust out OF the city
before the encirc.ing Gordon is com
plete. but there will always be food
for these pampcred and absurd look in z
canine specimens so long as money can
procure it,
II is not always possible to trace any
association between the procession Of
these fastidious feeding dogs and the
riders in the Row, but sometimes when
exercise is over. the horse committed
and the rider is reclining in the
cushioned recesses OF the waiting
Limousine. two or three of the dogs
will be invited to occupy the next seat.
and the observer realized that il is all
part of the same thoughtlcss comedy
in war time.
The elderly DANES who sit behind
stolid coachmcn who have not yet been
taken for national service have little
idea OF the adverse comments their
participation in this pageant of folly
arouses or how many wounded -om-
mics in their blue hospital uniforms
who have limped into the park ask
themselves whether. If these carriages
must be driven. their roor could not
be used TO aid their convalescenCe.
Under the shady trees young people
may be noticed reading. for the air of
Hyde Park this month is very inviting.
Who are these drones who are so far
removed from the common sacrifices
and what particular dis2ensations eX-
empt them from the scope of the ma :
tional effort? Why. il they have no
work to do, are they not offering their
services to some hospital or helping 10
grow food like the eager enthusiasts
to be seen in the grounds of Holland
House. kenslnEton?
Less than half an hours sharp walk
away a potato or butter queue may he
still perspiring in the MONDAY sun.