The Washington herald., 1918-07-26
By DWIc

New York, July 25.-In q little room
high up in the Flatiron Building there
congregates each morning q group
Of men who have banded together
and are known as the voluntary
Association OF Russian Army and
Navy Officers in the U. S. IA" They
are heirs to the estate OF the great
est wastrels New York ever saw.
They are waiting for a change in
the wind that blows in Russia and
they are the remnant OF that gay
and careless brigade of spenders who
made even Broadway sit UP and take
notice.
These exiled gentlemen have band
ed together ito lend mutual material
and moral assistance to its MEM
bers." They are Russian officers ref
uged in America who have fallen on
evil days. Before the Russian deba-
Gle they made contracts with the
Romanoff government to supply Ger
tain war essentials from the Amerf-
can market
The spending Of the Muscovite Wis
itors surpassed anything ever seen
before in New York. Russian officers
of high rank entertained chorus and
cabaret sprites Of lowliest origin after
the manner OF lotused mandarins.
Russians without rank, but with
purses freighted with large war pur-
chase commissions threw their gold
about with lustfuI hands.
Here and there a Russian of eenu-
ine title Joined in the storm Of prof
ligacy and lent the last tone to the
wild composition. Restaurateurs, 10
rists, hatters, motor car dealers. con-
fectioners. chauffeurs, waiters-the
whole army of cleaners along the
trail Of the waster-were getting opu-
lent at the expense Of Russia. What
they failed to get the gamblers took.
The war was a blessing which took
the shape and color of the Musco-
vite
All OF this was one bright season
two years ago. But the revolution and
Bolsheviki changed all that, and to-
day the little group Of men meeting
In the Flatiron Building is the pathetic
souvenir. It must be said to their
credit that these men did not partici-
pate in the wastry-they are merely
the hapless victims. They are watt
ing for the end of the war-waftIne
TOT the return Of a vanished dream,
Wearied Of the vanities, the adu-
latlon, glare and glitter of the world
SIX Broadway show girls have taken
mouse at Long Beach. and they
declare that for the summer they
are determined to be "wooed only
oy kind and wave" No men will be
allowed to call and they will not even
speak to the male species over the
phone.
Al Jolson had just returned to the
Lambs Club, after a day at golf.
he threy his clubs down in the hat
room. and walked over to a tabIe
to have something liquid and re-
freshing.
How was your stroke today,.. a
friend inquired.
Fine. made 1t In a"-there was
a pause and he added Pretty good
for three holes"
He is an Bnglishman and a con-
nrmed clubman. He would rather
ADJUST his monocle and stare out
upon the Fifth Avenue crowds from
the veranda window. while slipping
MS Scotch and soda, than do any
tnlng else. Rural life hasn't the
slightest appeal.
One OF his friends tried to coax
MIN out on Long Island over Sunday.
He waxed eloquent over the Joys
OF the countryside. Right in my
garden he said. ARE some of the
most beautiful butterflies you ever
saw"
Really he drawled. Butter
flies! Beastly things, Ny word, they
have no personality"