Evening star., 1918-01-24
MRS. ASTOR SERVES;
HER STEWARD Dimes
And Other Novel Happenings
Where Herbert Taylor
Runs Y. M. C. A.
BY A. r.. DECKER.
Especial Correspondence of The Even
ing Star and Chicago Daily NewsD

AT THE FRENCH SEACOAST, De-
cember 2o-The bluejaeket ashore is
just an ordinary mortal set down in a
strange city. far from his home and
friends. He wants something to re-
place those familiar surroundings. and
often he is somewhat hurt upon realiz-
ing that ashore does not necessarily
mean home. In this French seaport
the Y. NJ. C. A. means homo to the
bluejaclset. as much as any external
influence could replace home. At the
: ~" as it Is often abbreviated, one
can find almost every kind of human
comfort. from good things to eat and
smoke to concerts and movies.
Herbert Taylor. a Chicago boy. is the
leading spirit of this branch of the
V NJ c. A.. while Mrs. Vincent Astor
and Miss Ethel Hartman are its pa
troneSSes. Taylor told me something
o. his early struggles to organize the
two restaurants. the reading and rec
reation rooms, the gymnasiums, the
money exchange office and the nu-
merous other departments which, COM
bined, make the Y. NJ. c. A. the most
popular place in town.
At first there was a lack of money
and of room, but now the naval base
and the Y. NJ. C. A. are developing as
Indeed, if a vote were taken, l belteVs
the uejackets would say that the
"Y" is indispensable.
Bretons Swallow Gum.
One enters the clubrooms of the
Y. NJ. C. A. by traversing square
crowded with Breton youngsters wait
ing for a. chance SOU to be thrown
by generous sailor. The ensuing
scramble resembles a riot until
flushed and grimy future fisherman
emerges disheveled, but triumphant,
the sou firmly clutched in his small
fist. Besides the sous there are some
times such delicacies as candies, cakes
or the new and mysterious but so tar
unpopular American importation called
chewing gum. This last is usually
swallowed, as with the candies and
the cakes. The boys clamored for
cigarettes until police ordinane> for
bade the sailors to give them smokes.
Once through the crowd before the
door. one has to elbow ones way
through a larger crowd of sailors in
side Usually the clubrooms of the
ssY" are jammed. A long line runs BACK
to the writing tables, and sometimes
even to the piano, where a musical eN-
college student will be banging out
ragtime. to the delight of the line. The
reason for the line is the small teller's
cage near the door, and the reason
for the tel1er's cage is serious-faced
tolls hours at stretch, changing gov
ernment checks and currency into
francs In one day the hungry line
demanded $4,000 worth of French
money, but that was a day of big lib
erty parties
Mrs. Astor Helps Out.
AS with much shifting of navy shoes
the line dissolves, before the tellers
cabe, a young fellow behind nearby
counter calls out Get me some help,
viii you? When that crowd starts TO
come my way won't be able to handle
them alone" Some one obtains assist
ance and a wideawake American girl
or Y. NJ. c. A. helper will reinforce
the ranks behind the counter. But this
time the line has its pockets filled with
francs. and the assault on candy. writ
ing paper and tobacco commences. 1t
IS no unusual sight to see Mrs. Vincent
Astor delivering goods over the Y. NJ.
c. A. counter. and apparently, enjoys It.
Taylor wished to start an American
restaurant, but the y. NJ c. A leaders
had no faith in the project, or they
needed the money for other purposes
SO Taylor turned to Mrs. Astor, who,
with hardly a question, advanced the
funds. In a few weeks the restaurant
was opened. At once it proved popular
and, being well patronized, paid its way.
Indeed, the restaurant was soon out
grown: another one was needed to take
care of Jacks hunger while ashore.
Mrs. Astor provided more money and
Taylor bought out a corner cafe. The
new restaurant opened in gala style,
with flowers and music, French
wounded soldier playing the piano. At
the opening night Mrs. Astor acted as
waitress, serving the sailors until late.
One of Mrs. Astor's customers was the
steward who formerly served at her
table on the Noma. 1t was hard to tell
which of the two enjoyed the novel sit