The New York herald., 1922-02-12

Special C15le 10 The NEw YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1929. By THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Berlin, Feb. IL.
It is too much to say that the white
cravat caused the railroad strike in
Germany, but the white cravat still
remains an adequate symbol Of situ-
alton in which a strike is possible.
The necktie in question is one which a
guest at a recent gaia pall given by
the Association Of Berlin Newspaper
Men failed to wear. And because he
tried to enter the ballroom in evening
clothes but wearing a black instead of
a white necktie he was refused adj
mission.
The invitation, as it happened, did
mention the correct necktie to be worn
and the published announcements pro-
claimed that any one not in full eve
ming array was not wanted even if he
paid the full price of 200 marks for
his ticket.
The Association OF Berlin Newspaper
men is composed OF probably the poorest
paid brain workers in the capital. A
good travelling salesman earns more
than the most gifted political or edto-
rial writer. And yet at this years an
nual press ball the capital went back to-
ward its preWar pomp and formality.
The republicans OF modern Germany.
the Chancellor and his ministers and big
business nen--rnany OF them wearing
shining imperial decorations-and film
stars and distinguished literary and ar
tistic leaders attended en- masse be-
spangled with all the paraphernalia Of
high society.
Those attending the opera to-day wear
stiff white fronts even for ordinary per-
formances, and even concerts are no
longer a celebration of pure musical
pleasure but frequently resolve them
selves into an occasion for the exhibi-
tion OF apparel. In other words Berlin
Is getting back It's tone" A social
stratum Is crystallizing. The division OF
property is beginning TO show as 1t used
to show before the Republic brought
an interim Of elbow rubbing among poor
folk, poor aristocrats, poor professors
and poor everybodies.
On one side the process of ascertain
ing who's who by the necktie he wears
is rapidly reaching its elimination. On
the other hand poverty is not diminish
Ing. though wages are n little above the
level in purchasing power than they
were two years ago. But they are still
too low TO permit of any permanent So
cial scheme. They are sufficient to buy
food and pay for lodging, but not
enough to meet fuel and clothing bills or
leave any margin for recreation. And
simply because the process of increas-
ing wages is slower than the steady re-
turn Of luxury and style among the i'm
poverished irregular strikes are possible.
But the reign of the white necktic
does not signify a revival of Berlin's
self-respect. On the whole this year :
season must stand considerably below
that of last year. The theater Is not
so profound, the concerts are not of so
high standard and the era OF paint
ing is ON the wane.
year ago Berlin could claim the
prize as being the most interesting city
in Europe. Paris and London were
obsessed with trivialities. while Ber-
lin was enthusiastic about more serious
matters. Now IL is the other way
round. The biggest hit OF the year has
been Max Reinhardts revival Of Often
bach's "Ornhans in the Under World
which Is elaoorately staged as n spec
tacle on the Century Roof with an all
star cast, including such well known
performers as Pallenberg. Glowing.
Elizabeth Rethberg and Hans Wass-
mann For months this attraction has
filled the 900 seats of the big futurist
hippodrome which Reinhardt has built
II is racteristic of another phase
Of Berlin life that female boxing
matches are now being conducted in
four OF the city's cabarets and tina,
Celly de Rheidt and Lola Back with
their respective ballets remain headliners
on the Great White Way. Both Frau
Celly and Frau Lola have been punished
for not dancing bewitchingly enough in
tho moments when they wore the fewest
clothes. for that is what the counts in
the verdict specified.
The female boxing matches are not
shams. The women hit each other not
skulfully but hard. and the audience
enjoys the spectacle OF uppercuts for
the favorite "Lioness of Czecho-Slo-
vakia" in a bout with the Demon Of
Denmark" II howls and shrieks and
unuuestionably enjoys itself. and con-
tinues to enjoy the sight as half dozen
similar bouts follow in rapid success
sion.
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