The Washington herald., 1920-02-07
New York City
By o. o. Mcintyre


New York, Feb. 6.-TheH was a re-
markable sincerity to the regret felt
by Broadway over the passing on Of
Reginald de Koven. or Reggie" as
he was known to his intimates OF the
stage world. De .Koven was gentle
man in every sense the word implies.
His musical compositions are well
known, and tits sufficient to say that
his score of Robin Hood alone
would be enough to establish any
mans fame.
De Koven as a man and a friend,
aside from his Broadway world. was a
most remarkable personality. There
are too few of his type left. He was
always the gallant, the chevalier Of
old. At his studio, which was in Fifth
avenue, at Forty-first street, he was
most at home.
When his luncheon hour arrived, he
could instruct his valet-a naughty
person. who adored De Koven-to
, serve him from Delmonico's, a short
piece away, with the breast OF pheas-
ant and a bottle of Moselle, with all
the grace and elegance of a Beau
Brummel.
He was imma culate and resplendent
in his attire, going to an extreme in
patterns and color schemes That
made him a rival to Robert Hilliard
in his palmy days. De Koven's scarves
came from Sulka's Paris SHOP. He paid
commissionaire there, who under
stood his taste in cravats, a regular
retainer.
His clothes were fashioned by art
lists. and they had the swagger so
q DAN ffan will
achieve, but fail. De Koven had many
mannerisms and little habits that were
amusing to the more commonplace
man. but his courtesy made him a
singular and welcome companion.
After a brief acquaintance, he in
sisted that one address him as Reg
gle" Also, it was his way when suf-
fcring from rheumatic attacks to in
vite his co-workers to his bedside in
his magnificent Park avenue home,
and after a brief session, arise and
array himself in lounging robe of
Kaleidoscope hues that were dazzling.
Then he would insist that all join
him at luncheon. which would be OF
elaborate proportions and served by
lackeys in brilliant livery.
When he walked up the avenue peo-
pie naturally turned, and knew that he
was a man of importance, and De
koven was not unconscious of this.
In fact, he courted it. 1t was a part
of the advertising he realized was OF
commercial value to him. The genius
is able to do these things. because he
has the real ability to back up his
eccentriCities. Mrs. De Koven, too,
is a scholar and a remarkable host
ess. She has lately written some ar
tiCles on the continuity of life. a SUBJ
ject in which she is deeply interested.
Whisky stills are being sold openly
in New York. 1t is reported that one
place in Lincoln Square even displays
them in their windows. On each is
this printed warning: This apparatus
must not be used for the distilling of
whisky or any alcoholic spirfls. 1t is
against the law" The amusing part
of 1t is that the stills are absolutely
worthless for any other purpose. The
newly made whisky is. it is said.
being sold by the bootliGgers for so
quart, which is cheaper than the
bonded whisky purchased before the
amendment went into effect.
1t has been a pitiablc effort the
Broadway restaurants and cafes have
been making to put on a brave face
following prohibition. They are Of
fering all sorts of dinner specialties,
midnight surprises and augmented
jazz orchestras, but the crowds are
deaf to all appeals. Big places like
I Healy's. Rector's and ChurchilPs are
pathetically shy OF patronage. 1t
seems to be the cabaret places that
are hardest hit. No falling off in res
taurant patronage of the big hotels
is noticeable. because guests are stay
ing home instead of dining out. John
/ Mex. Bowman. Copeland Townsend,
II. L. Boomer and other hotel men de-
clare that prohibition thus far is even
increasing their restaurant receipts.
but. of course, that may be because
all New York hotels are filled now.
1t took a New York n t,mCb le
exa city one hour and fifteen m n
utes to travel 20 blocks-6T one
mi!C-on crowded street dur
the evening homegoing rush. Tne
city is now pia ming to AXE the
congcsted thoroughfares one-way
streets.