The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-02-26
Social Revolution Accom-
plished Without Grum-
bling and With Zeal.
10 MILLION AFFECTED
Head Walters Go Among Din
ers and Clip Coupons
Shop Queues End.

opDTf0hE, l9lS. az rOhlS reSffte0
LONDON, Feb. 25.-Ten million per-
sons living in London and adjoining
districts were put on compulsory rations
to-day as regards meat. Although it
Is too early to attempt to state, even
In approximate figures, what saving will
be effected. it can be asserted that
there will be a Great decrease in the
quantity Of beef. mutton and pork con-
sumption and a corresponding increase
in the use OF fish. eggs and vegetables.
Briefly summarized, the following con-
clusions can be drawn from the first
days operation Of what, may be called
the greatest social revolution In the his
tory Of the British Empire. the flrst
time the people ever have had to accept
such restrictions as necessary to the
successful conduct OF a war: There
was no grumbing heard at the amount
Of anything. every one cooperating with
the Government. Wholesale and retail
dealers, hotel and restaurant proprietors
and the people themselves. in an effort to
make the scheme workable.
1t probably will be necessary to in
crease the meat rations for those per-
forming heavy labor and for classes Of
the population who are victims OF GER
tain diseases. There must be a tremen-
dous decrease in the amount of meat
eaten in restaurants. Most household
ers have decided to utilize their entire
allowance for home purposes, putting
themselves on non-meat diet when
they lunch or dine at restaurants.
More Equitable system.
A more equitable distribution of food
is believed to have been assured. doing
away with the queues. by means OF
which certain persons were able by 60
ing from one shop to another, to obtain
large quantities Of meat. while those
without the spare time were deprived OF
the necessities of life. The only disap-
pointed persons In evidence to-day were
those whose meat appetite was in evi-
'dence but who had forgotten their cards
THa SUN correspondent, In order to
obtain comprehensive survey Of the
first days workings OF the new rule,
went to hotels and Restaurants of various
qualities and in different parts Of tie city
In the centre of town. at such place.
as the Savoy, the Carlton. the Waldorf
the Princess. &C.. conditions were much
alike. Few diners asked for meat and
in each case where meat was desired an
ton. When one realizes that a coupon
represents a fourth OF the total allow.
ance Of person for a weep it is easy
to see that there will be many mea tless
meals.
In the fashionable restaurants impos.
Ing head walters circulated among the
guests with tiny embroidery scissors
with which they clipped tho coupons
from the precious meat cards. No hall
coupons were accepted in restaurants ol
this class. At the Waldorf there were
not more than a dozen meat oNler.
during the entire luncheon time ant
not many more at the Carlton. the Savo!
or the Princess.
Falling on in Guests.
! The restaurants reported a great fall
ing of in guests. At many there wa,
considerable confusion in regard to us,
OF the cards. patrons being under tn,
impression that they could not be served
any orders without showing their cards
A glance at the menus Of the big places
shows it is possible to get an excellen
luncheon without meat, there being
great variety OF egg, fish and vegeta b!
dishes
Lovers OF poultry and game arc face
with the dangcreof being permitted t
partake only once or twice a week o
their favorte food. Each person ha
only four coupons for tho week. To ge
Il poulet refine requires three and hal
coupons: roast pheasant. two and hal
coupons. it being understood that thi
coupon valuation has nothing to do wit
the price the guest pays. That is left t
the discretion Of the restaurant proprie
tor.
The Savoy put on the table a poultr
schedule that reminded one Of the lat
W, $. Gilbert 1t read. zone and a hal
coupons. one-half small fowl; three cou
pons, one larger fowl; four coupons, on
large fowl"
Under this schedule an entire week
meat ration is represented by one larg
fowl Half coupons are being decline
In the expensive restaurants for an
meat service. 1t Is dehatable poin'
the steward Of one OF these places sait
although it is possible half coupon
might be made good for small portion
or cuts Of roast such as beef and NUT
ton. but not for other meats Steak
and chops and prepared dishes will ca
for enc or more coupons.
The head waiter at another establish
ment said it was impossible that a hal