The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-07-15

have reading and rest dooms with free magazines and newspapers
 Then there are the sweet shops, which
 combine in original settings the func- tions of candy store and restaurant. Here the art of window and counter display
 reaches it's zenith. I have seen nothing in the largest cities of the world-Paris, Vienna, London Budapest, Berlin, nor anywhere in this country so far-wth which to compare the Los Angeles con- fectioners' shops.
 The lighting alone, within and with out. Is Edison, Belasco and Bakst com bined. Boxes of chocolates and gum drops are made to look like flowers And one drinks phosphate out of rides cent glasses, dreaming it magical wine.
 Excellent meals are served on the club plan at from S5 to 60 cents! I challenge any one who has lost or mislaid his appetite to take a walk on South Hill street, on Fifth. on Broad way, on Spring, and look steadily into the windows of the cafeterias, delicates- sens and candy shops without feeling the start of his gastric juices. Let him peep into the 'Pig'n Whistle" Let him gaze into "The Chocolate Shop" Let him squint insde Young's market, where the meats and sausages live in in- dividuaI glass houses And I guarantee that In four blocks the appetiteless one will be drooling at the mouth. In five he will be plying a frenzied knife and fork
 Some one who thinks I rave unduly of the golden state methods of feeding its 1 masses will remind me that we have automats and armchair Iunchrooms in New York True But the mere idea does not constitute success. In Los An 1 geles the idea is developed with an art and an opulence that raise it from a benefit to the few to a means of cheap l living for all.
 RESTAURANTS CROWDED OUT The cafeteria has choked out most of the restaurants. There are some, but l their prices are kept vigiantly pared. And one large hotel advertises "the best meal in the world for 8 centsr Here are some cafeteria prices, the same con stituting my own breakfast and dinner l yesterday:
 Strawberries fat and luscious, with l cream ......-................... 10 1 One egg, poached ................-..... .06 | Two sausages, 5c. each ............. 10 Slice French toast .................... .02 Pot excellent coffee, cream and | sugar .....,..................,. 05 | Total ........................... .3S Roast lamb, dressing ................. 20 l Asparagus ............................ .05 1 Mashed potatoes ...........,........... .O6
 Combination lettuce and vegetable salad ,......................... .2
 French dressing ................ O2 Roll and butter ........................ .02 | Fruit jelly ........................... 10 I Cheese and crackers .................. 05 l 1OJal ......s...........-....-.. .oo i But these were sumptuous meals taken in an expensive" place I paid IT cents
 for my breakfast today-stewed rhubarb | roast beef hash two slices hot buttered
 toast, pot of coffee
 Half a roast squab chicken is usually
 35 cents. Cold boiled lobster 30 served
 with vegetable salad. Roast beef cut 1 lets, chops, steaks are 20 or 25. Soups
 are 5; desserts and 10, and there are
 millions of kinds spread before your popping eyes.
 Toasts and breads and biscuits. buns and mullins and popovers, pancakes and layer cakes, waffles, cookies and pas
 trIes-oh yum!
 In one place on South Hill street you pay only a dime for your sausage and mashed potatoes and cents for an or der of ham, though ham is among the costlest foods
 "A good fat pig" explains butcher,
 with firm meat must have grain for
 food. Grains going abroad now. So
 we pay 45 cents a pound for really fine bacon"
 Which brings us down to raw foods.
 EVERYBODY CAN EAT WELL
 l have worn a groove in the pavement
 before a shop near my hotel. Every ] morning I stand gaping as the woman sticks the cards on her vegetable bins. ! Lettuce, three for cents. It's good