The Washington times., 1923-10-05
ALIENS HAPPY IN
SHADOW Of
CAPITOL
Colonies OF Greeks and Italians
Maintain All Traditions Of
Homelands.

As S III -
Within 4 stones throw Of the
court house ana almost within the
shadow of the Capitol there are two
distinct foreign colonies las foreign
in language. customs, and ideals as
any country of Europe.
They are only few Indications
Of American Influence on the daily
lives Of the inhabitants of these set.
Elements, the principal one BEING
the American dollar. Another sign
Of American influence although q
negligible. one Is an coca sional
fragmentary snatch Of the English
language now and then heard
anong the men. women, and chill
One Of the colonies is located 81,
John Marshall place, stretching on
both sides Of the street from Penn.
sylvanla avenue up to G street
northwest. IT Is 4 regular little
Greece, with an Hellenic charac
teristics. Dsiicatessen and grocery
stores, restaurants, and concert and
amusement places dot both sides 81
the street. They are Invariably
painted Ia light blue and white, the
colors a the royal house of Greece,
and az the ancient kingdom.
Like Names 81 Gods. &
The pungent odor 81 Greek dishes
cannot be escaped. Signs painted Ia
large Greek letters denote the char.
aeter OF The places These are
usually high sounding names, like
the Pantheon restaurant. the
AcrOp0lis deIicateasen store, the
Virgil barber shop, and the Apollo
tailor shop
IL III Iii the evening hours that
the LIE I'll little Greece becomes very
active. The restaurants begin IL
fill up. There may be seen the
peanut vendor and flower stand
owner gesticulatirg over 5 friendIt
game or cards Or dominoes or some
other pastime.
There also are many who DISCUSS
home politics III heated terms, and
az times II looks ~ X they would
come To blows.
Roast les Of lamb, win rice, and
strong coffee. are the principal and
favorite dishes served Al native
orchestra II violin, zymbalOn, and
flute furnish nnusic, and now and
then some one volunteers song.
Native girls and women attired in
the picturesque costumes sOK their
country add color To the animated
scenes.
The colonies have their own
church, Ii charge Of 4 Greek or.
thodox priest, and are regular at.
PENDANTS at Sunday services.
Quite often Americans invade this
district on what they call Summing
parties. And So, this is Greeces''
exclaimed young SRI the other
night At one of the restaurants. as
she was kecnly watching the scenes
before her eyes
Italians III Their Rear.
Directly IN the rear, there Is an.
other colony as distinct from this
1T least. 80 far as national sentt
ment is concerned. as day is from
night.
1t Ii MussoIini's colony. 1t ii
located In d large court, from which
branch out numerous alleys, be,
tween Pennsylvania avenue and
John Marshall place.
The little tumbIedown alley houses
inhabited by sons and daughters oi
Italy nestle up against stables, ga.
RACES, blacksmith shops, and the
rear Of tall hotels and office build
ings.
These little red brick homes tell
tales Of the artistic appreciation ot
those who inhabit them. The win
dow stills ara heavily laden with /
great variety OF Towering plants
Others show rows Of peppers, fiery
red In color, to be dried in the sun,
and also green's Of vivid hue.
The women folks during sunny
days gather In front Of their homes
Here they talk and sew, or pre-
pare for their heals. They are 4
cheerful and bright lot, with their
picturesque iaulti-colored slaaWls
around their shoulders
Boys Are Fighters.
Whoever ventures within this ex
elusive little precinct must be pre-
pared to be the observed Of all OBJ
servers. A running fire of remarks
by the women, whose bright dark
eyes look at the stranger In sort
of contemptuous way, mildly speak
ing. greets the intruder.
Children, ylnkemEt, covered with
dirt and clothed in rags, make the
settlement Veritable Babel, with
their shouts and noise. Stone bat
ties are favorite pastimes.
More than one small boy may II
seen with a couple of teeth knocked
out by a piece Of flying brick
But they don't complain. They re
ciprocate to the best Of their ability
The red, white, and green flag 81
Italy, or a large painting Of thu
King Of Italy, forms the chief orrla
ments of many Of these little homes
and music and songs Of their native
country, furnished by victrolas aIaC
harmonious. fiji the air. They are
as rule, devout Catholics and re