New Britain herald., 1920-02-12
EATLESS, LWELONG,
 SAYS EDISON AT 73
Says Americans Consume Too
 Much Food

New York. Feb. 12.-They call him The Old Man out at the works iii West Gran nge-everyb body from his chief executives down to the gate keeper. But it's just the expression of their affection for him. and hasn't anything to do with his age. even if Thomas A. Edison was 13 yesterday. Whats 73? He was up at and down at the works ijy S:30. eager to pitch into some chemical and metal ludgical problems that he is working on, determined to steal at least two or three hours for work out of tho day of celebration which his family and associates had planned for him. He hadn't had a real birthday party for a long time. Yesterday made up for it.
 There was d sort of informal recep- ton in the main office shortly before noon. which was so informal that Mr. Edison answered an inquiry after his health by bootinG q hat which he held higher than his head, and there wasn't any one else about who could do we'll There was the pa rade past the office of the Edison em- ployeS with Mir. and Mrs. Edison re- viewing them: there was the luncheon with the Edison Pion eers-all early associates of the inventor-vhich lasted late into the afternoon, and last night there was q, ball in his honor at the Orange Armory.
 Reviews Parade.
 He stood on the steps outside the general office as the parade went by and the girls who were in line pe1ted him with flowers. He caught most of them, and those that he didn't Mrs. Edison. standing at his side, placed on the. brim of his hat. The men as they passed saluted or touched their hats.
 All his children were with him but one, Theodore, who wired '73'. which in the Morse code means All good wishes" from Boston. Thomas A.. .Jr., was there, and Charles and Mrs. John E. Sloane, with the two latest t.disons. Thomas Edison Sloane and John Edison Sloane.
 Nr. Edison posed patiently for the camera and movie men. He is habit ually sober-facc before the camera and while d family group was being taken Mrs. Edison asked him. Are you looking happy or sober. dear:" And in honor of the occasion he al lowed the smile that lights up his face whenever he talks to break through.
 Talks to ImtcrviewerS.
 He talked cheerfully with the newspaper men. and told them that he didn't know but that he could better that mark of S5 that he set for himself five years ago on his sixty eighth Dirt thday. You see." he said, tI take good care of this machine of mine. I don't eat more than a pound and a half of food on any day. and overea1inG is. I believe. cutting down mems efficiency and the length of their days more than anything else today.
 "America is consuming three times as mnch food as she ought: better habits would lower the cost of living and raise mems capacity for work. The Germans ate too much. and I ure.''
 Questioned lo what he is working on at the present time. Mir. Edison gave his usual answer: Lots Of irons ill the fire. and there's not much Use talking about them until l know whether they are going to be any yood or not. I'm working more on non commercial problems now. The ether of space interests me. want to learn more about that
 He said he Was lookin. forward 10 the development of more automatic machinery. which would cut down the amount of monotonous labor DOW necessary in the world. That. he
 I-;.