Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-20

Low Prices and Hog Riding
Were Popular Years
Ago.

Days when house ervants here could
be hired for 81 month, when very
good" houses could be had for $3.50
rent a year, when turkeys sold for
SO cents apiece and oysters at rs
cents bushel, were recalled by DR..
Henry Oldys. speaking before the
Columbia Historical Society last night
at the Cosmos Club auditorium.
Although the speakers remarks on
the old days of early Washington
were in the form of a aggression from
his main subject, Birds and Flowers
at the National Capital" many agreed
after the lecture that the former were
trated lecture.
in the District in 1922, which DR..
Oldys had from his grandfather,
seemed to auditors in strange con-
trast to prices being paid in the city
today Beef in those early days, the
speaker said, sold for to 1914 cents
a pound and mutton for cents. The
very finest homes in Washington
could be rented for $500 to $500
year.
To-day the National Capital is a
greater city. but I am sure it is no
happier" declared DR.. Oldys. In his
civil war, the lecturer said, one of
the joys of his life was to sneak up
behind some unsuspecnng hog, OF
which large numbers roamed at will
in the downtown streets, and sud
denly land on its back.
Riding in an automobile at sixty
miles an hour is thrilling; speeding over
the land in a great train Is enthralling
flying in an airplane is wonderful, but
of all the thrilling experiences that
have ever had. a ride upon the back
of hog through the streets Of Wash
yy,rrf Ny, h.
DR.. Oldys
Tells OF Bird Life.
Before the lecturer took up the main
theme Of the evening he allowed him
self another depression by telling Of
some of the historic birds which have
made their homes atop departmental
and other buildings in the city proper.
At one time, years ago. a snow owl
lived in the city hall, and martins in
Department on F street, until driven out
by the influx Of English sparrows He
once saw one English sparrow chase
twenty-five goldfnches out Of the Capt.
tol grounds.
Dr. Oldys said that today some barn
owls live in the towers Of the Smith
sonian Institution, and come out every
night to rid Southwest Washington Of
mice. This they do as handily as cats.
he said, and undoubtedly do great
service to the city In this respect.
Taking up his lecture Of the even
ing, in which he told Of some OF the,
birds and flowers to be found around
the District. and not particularly in
it. with the exception Of Rock Creek
Park, DR.. Oldys took his hearers on a
twelve-month tour round about.
Urges Tree Planting.
Views Of scenes on the farm Of the
editor Of The Star alternated with
other scenes Of nature at its prettiest
in nearby Maryland. In the course of
his lecture DR.. Oldys took occasion to
advocate planting Of fruit and nut
trees along highways. saying that this
would attract the bird friends Of man
kind as well as constitute an eco
nomic venture for man. DR.. Oldys
said he would like to see something
Of the sort done around Washington.
The Kicker, meadow lark, warbler
and many other bird friends of man
were shown on the screen by the lee
turer their habits described and their
songs initiated. The enormous ca
pacity of some birds in destroying
obnoxious worms and seeds of weeds
was outlined by the speaker.
Flowers that grow at Washington.
including the touch-me-not, button
bush, millein, iron weed. fox glove and
morning glory, were considered and
pictured by the lecturer.
Allen c. Clark, president of the So
ciety, presided.