The Washington herald., 1917-11-29

New York, Nov. 2s.-The suburban
towns with the wild names on the
fringe Of New York are to have gro
Gerry stores on wheels. These stores,
mounted on gasoline trucks. are some
thing like moving vans in size and
| shape and are stocked with all sorts
Of groceries and household goods-the
sides Of the van form the shop win
dows.
Thus the mountain comes to Ma
homet without waiting for Mahomet
to go to the mountain. The simple
suburbanite may have his tobacco and
half jug brought to his own door and
the suburban wife may enjoy the
groceryman to broaden the social
pleasures hitherto embraced only by
| the visit OF the peddlers.
The grocery bus springs full equip
ped from the brow Of that Jovian pro-
wider for the people, the benehcent
corporation dealing in standardized
wares for the consumption Of a STAN
dardized generation.
The clerks wear clean white suits
and even have to manicure their nails
daily. There is a smell of antisep-
tics and an air of cleanliness that
does not exist in some of the village
stores in the remote districts.
The grocery bus is as convenient as
the trolley car; as appealing as the
slot machine. as handy as your neigh
boris tools and as easy as lying. 1t
! is link the chain. a step forward
toward whatever is coming. an in
novation, and since innovation is sure
to imply excellence. it Is sure to bring
era N@
What more could one ask?
At the Colony Club they were wor-
ried about the shortage of doctors and
nurses. After many suggestions for
making up for the famine Elizabeth
Marbury. the theatrical producer, end
ed the discussion.
There is nothing for US to do but
die natural Deaths" she said.
The theaters are suffering from a
slump in business. Many actors sal
aries have been cut and II is expected
that by Christmas many shows now
running will be taken on Many rea-
sons are given. But those who an
alyze the situation declare that the
poor business has resulted from wom-
en-. who form the bulk of theatrical
patronage, being too busy with war
relief work. And when someone ask
ed Al Jolson his explanation for the
theatrical slump, he replied: Il don't
know exactly but I do know that
have been out Of town for several
months" Isn't that just like an ac-
tor?
There are just 1000 people in the
United States who want an unusual
book. At least that is the conten-
tion of a New York publisher who
has just started in business and will
publish only books by insurgents
which no other publishers will have
the courage to do. The publisher fig
ures on making money, but he
frankly admits that the authors will
not make more than $50 on each
book. But there are a lot OF folk
who would gladly write a book for
nothing IL they could see it pub
lished.
Seen around the town: A wom-
an knitting in the doorway OF a
church. A boy in curls smoking q
cigarette in an automobile. Another
woman knitting while walking on
Fifth avenue with the maid behind
carrying the wool A fireman in uni
form weeping over a letter postmarked
France. A manicure girl in a Rus
sian sable coat entering the Metropoli-
tan. A San Francisco artist laughing
at one of the city's highest build
ings. A woman in a limousine with
FIVE poodle dogs. A man with a ciga-
| rette holder Is inches long. A rag
peddler wearing a wrist watch. Mayor
elect Hylan unnoticed on Thirty
fourth street. A boy in khaki in Pea
cock Alley studying the map Of Ger
many. A young girl in a cafe drink
ink her whisky straight while three
old men looked on encouragingly. A
man wearing q fur-collared dinner
coat