The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1919-06-02
Ice Cream Sodas at D Cents
a Glass Help to Shock
- 10000 Visitors.

A scoop OF suds which in the good
old days at coney Island was fed to
the thirsty at ive a throw has been
raised to the high-browed price of
15 cents. Hot dog is 10 cents a bite.
Soda water at Coney. including the
war and luxury tax, sets back the
thirsty and curious just % cents.
More than 10000 visitors paraded
the beach and boardwalks OF the
poor mans playground" yesterday
only to fnd that ,Coney had been
transformed into the park OF the
plutocrat. Trailing the hot sands in
duoed thirst which could be al
leviated only by a beaker Of foaming
beer. There was the foam all right
and with 1t its quota OF malt with
2.75 per cent. alcohol. But the demand
Of IS cents for the decoction killed
the desire for drink.
And the hot dog which always re-
tailed for a nickel had been raised TO
dime! Only a short year before
hot dog and the growler were to be
had for the same price. The oombina-
tlon, Is stlil served for the same price
on Manhattan Island, while at Coney
beer and hot dog cost. as much as a
whole bath In the ocean. Beer costs
down there. by the witching waves as
much as an ante-bellmn cocktail or a
highball and with not one third Of
the exhilarating stuff in 1t.
The increase was the shock OF their
lives TO the Sunday crowds and many
of them haven't recovered from 1t yet.
1t meant a big difference to a family
man, and the only way he found to
lbeat the game was by ordering ''por-
tions,2 as IN done IN expensive res
taurants.. Three for two was common
IN. a party. while others. conten.ed
themselves with the product OF the
pump. But the weather wasn't tho
only thing that made them hot
Mayor Hylan was "hot'' today
when he heard Of the prices and de-
clared that he will make a sweeping
investigation into the profiteeriny.
Other resorts within the city limits
will also be investigated should IL be.
come necessary. The Mayors deci-
sion was arrived at after he had been
informed by The Evening World OF
the conditions that prevailed yester-
day at Coney. ...
The Mayor was told that beer in
some instances was dispensed in false
bottomed, side handled, old fashioned
excursion boat glasses. These con-
talned about swallow and q half
A ninety pound man who had arrived
at Coney Island on the b. r. T. re-
quired six glasses OF the 10 cent swal.
lows to quench his thirst and cool hl'
wrath.
The. new price OF hot dogs surprised
the Mayor. When he learned, hoW.
ever, that ice cream sodas had gonI
up to 20 cents a glass with 2 cent,
extra for war tax he was indignant
He considered this about the mos
fragrant illustration of profiteer'i
nerve.
1T seems to me that II there is. @
combination OF profiteers at work II
Coney Island we ought 10 find 1
out" said the Mayor. "Unscrupulou
combines that would deprive womeT
and children OF sufficient cool drink
because OF prohibitive prices such a
twenty-five cents for n glass Of soda
ought TO be run out OF business o.
put in Jail.
"Coney Island is the resort of tn,
poor. 1t is within the reach OF every
one. Although the faro is now tel
cents, the nickel ride will, l hope
prevail in the near future. 1t woul'
appear that profiteers have seize
upon certain industries at Coney Is
land in anticipation of golden har
vest. No one objects to business
man making a fair profit, but whei
prices are unnecessarily boosted 10
; and even 200 per cent. II is Abou
time for the city authorities to stel
, in and take action"