The Washington herald., 1918-02-28

Special Correspondents The washington herAlo
New York, Feb. 27.-Poor Greenwich
Village! 1t has skidded from bad to
worse. When this section Of lower
New York bobbed its hair for the fun
Of the thing and lived in garrets to
save money and actually starved at
PolIy's. it was genuinely amusing
spot.
It was not important or not exciting
but 1t was extremely amusing. But
this particular Bohemia had a hard
time staying genuine. When the ru-
NOR went abroad that live artists
could be seen starving. that wit,
gayety and a table d'hote dinner
could be purchased for 40 cents. the
barbarians and seekers for thrills
swamped the place.
the police court news, pinched for rum
ming a disorderly tea den. No degrade
ton could be lower. 1t was = terrible
pirates tea den where sach terrific
III dS hOl CLlOCOldNC anu SNONN ACo
were served up TO the hardy roughs
OF the neighborhood.
The name of the den odesn't matter
it was probably the Mauve Monkey
or the Vermillion Duck-that is the
quaint custom there since the Purple
Pup got a lot Of publicity. or course
the pinched tea room needs no sym
pathy for out of such glory will come
clamoring patronage.
But the poor village has changed
for the worse. Once 1t was happy
laughing amateur, but now il is a
hardened professional purTeyor of Bo-
hemia- a-while-you-wait. Not even Chi
natown fell more swiftly before the
relentless tanks OF Broadway, the all
night sightseeing coaches.
The risque bal masques in the viii
lage were devised to show jaded New
Workers how wicked the city cOIid
be. At one of the recent dances they
had a Titan haired-whisper IT softly
-hoochee coochee dancer. The police
swooped down on her and dragged
her out. She proved to be a chorus
man from a Broadway show all
flossed UP for the occasion.
In one Of the cafes II the White
Glare they have a trick orchestra to
amuse its customers. The leader is a
genius. He watches diners as they
enter and plays tunes-the latest
ditties of the day-that are supposed
to be interpretive Of the visitor.
II an elderly man comes in with a
demure young thing hanging on his
arm. the orchestra strikes up "He
May Be Old. but He's Got Young
Ideas" The crowd is on instantly
and applauds much TO the discon-
future of the newcomers until they
catch the idea and wait for the ctheI
victims.
When a sailor or soldier enters the
orchestra plays '1f Had a Son for
Every Star in Old Glory. Uncle Sam
my, I'd Give Them All to You" Those
who like the spotlight are flocking
to the cafe with the trick orchestra
Ny friend Ellis Sibley sends me thi:
one from France. A New York Negro
in one of the labor battalions was ap'
preached by an army insurance Off
Ger to take out some of the War Risk
Insurance.
Outside OF the barracks that might
he was discussing It with another ne
gro from Harlem.
How much of that air insurance
did you all buy
'I done bot 1900 WORT. How much
did you buyr"
skid away niggah, skid. You know
old Uncle Samr done got his eye,
wide open now and he amt goln' u
| send any high-priced niggar on
dangerous job. I got NocoO WORT Q
that stuff. Ten thousand dollars
That's what Use got"
Fifth avenue was regaled the othsl
day by a pet dog wearing f;askil
coat and a diamond collar. The own
er had a big sapphire ring On he
thum. Following along n the real
was the husband. He mad watery sa'
blue eyes. and was one OF the old
/ fashioned boys who carried his tootl
brush in his vest pocket. He looke'
like he didn't care much what hap
pened to him. but he vas going {
be faithful to the end. Some hus
bands are like that