The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-08
FORDLUNCH,
LONGHOMEOF
NOTEDGUESTS.
INNEW HANDS
ny BILL PRICE.

The old Ford & Graham dairy lunch
room on Fifteenth street, opposite the
treasury, in recent years operated by
conferred "reminiscences Of hundreds OF
the most prominent men OF the nation
and the District OF Columbia, has
changed hands.
1t IL now the property Of Charles
R. Baker, for ten years manager for
]. NJ Ford, and DR.. S. S. Richards,
the drug store man. Mr.. Baker will
have personal charge OF the place and
operate II along the same lines that
have characterized 1t for thirty-ons
years. The new owners propose to
establish other lunch rooms through
the city.
The Fifteenth street establishment
was started by John n. Ford and
Thomas Graham in 1887. They had
been employed by Frank Ward, who
was the pioneer OF the dairy lunch
room in Washington. Ward saw this
town growing and getting away from
the comfortable habit many men had
OF going home for luncheon. He saw
the Government departments being
enlarged and the population increAs-
ing. He realized that with the spirit
OF hustle would come the desire OF
men for quick luncheons. Ford and
Graham learned the dairy lunch busi-
ness under him
Decided to Open Store.
They decided to open for them
selves and rented a part OF the pres
ent establishment, doing business I'M
der the firm name OF Ford & Graham
from the start their determination
- l. a. =. =
experience having taught them that
hrst-class milk was the foundation. OF
that kind OF business. As they grew
and prospered they bought a dairy
farm, put in a herd Of Jersey COWS
and MIXED them under modern ideas.
The financial district In which they
were located always said that they
made money "hand-over-hst" They
did so well that Mr.. Graham retired
from the Arm eight or ten years ago,
letting his friends know that he had
made "his pile" and expected to see
the world and enjoy its pleasures.
Mr.. Ford remained with his son. Mil
ton Ford, who had come up in the
business. Young Ford died suddenly
about two years ago.
The floor space was enlarged sew
eral years ago, with the growth of
business. and the new purchasers
would like to obtain further space.
Pay-on-HonOr Plan
The establishment was the frst IN
to start in this city the
plan. There was abso
lutely no checking system Patrons
of the place, in the most crowded
hours of the day. walked up to the
counter, helped themselves TO. what
they wanted or called for 1t, ate,
drank, chatted a few minutes With
friends. returned to to the counter
and paid according to their own
figures.
Distinguished Patrons.
The list Of prominent men whs
have in the past enjoyed frugal mid!
day meals in this place or who do
so now would be so long as to equal
the roster of Il division OF the United
States army in France. It includes
cabinet officers, judges OF the courts
in and out OF Washington, lawyers,
bankers, army and navy officers, pro-
fessional and business men OF all
classes and types. There are hun
dreds of men in other cities who have
held high places in the Government
service who never return to Washing
ton without renewing acquaintance
with this landmark.
George B. Cortelyou. who was Post
master General, Secretary Of the
Treasury and organized the Depart
ment OF Commerce and Labor. was .
familiar figure there fifteen years
ago. Frank Vanderlip. head OF the
biggest bank in the world, and now
working for the Government for 81
a year Was another