The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-11
In New York
RY PAIL HARRISON

New York - Now that the dog days have come, it's time to write something about hot-weather avo- cations, those effortless and inex- pensiye diversions with which the sweltering city likes to occupy it. self.
 There is excavation watching for one thing, and later, construc- tion-watching. Thousands in the city can qualify as expert kibitzers in both fields; they are able to discern the finest differences in technique between various steam shovel chauffeurs, derrick opera tors, rivet-tossers and such. Al Smith has an appreciative eye for these crafts. Of late years, however, there hasn't been much excavation and building, and the few choice the aters of operation have been over- crowded. It has been suggested that if the city really has the hap piness of its people at heart 1t ought to have few holes dug here shows and concerts.
 But it would avail nothing to have these holes dug by CWA workers because that would en- croach on the rights of the special groups which make a hobby of watching CWA workers work. Many citizens spend pleasant afteroons in the parks placing small wagers with each other as to whether certain laborers will | extract more or less than five shovelfuls of earth within an hour. Sports Dreamers
 Of course there are many other categories of watchers-sign- Hainter-watchers, safe-hoister- watchers of shoe-repairers. hap- jack-turners and fountain pen demonstrators. "Dame-watching' is a popular pastime for the stan- dees under Broadway awnings. They don't ogle; they just stare. About the only show-windows with sustained interest for the crowds are. those of sporting goods houses. A far-away, wistful light comes into the eyes of all males who stop before them. They look like kids before 8 toy shop. They gaze at rods and reels, at | brown hackles and royal coach- men, at gawdy lures and tricky spinners. They stare at the fian- mel shirts. the boots the tarpon Momentarily, valleys open up and bound souls are freed.
 Joys of Mapping
 | Dog-days, of course, bring cat- maps. For example, some very sat- isfactory cat-napping, can be done in hotel Hobbies; and the better the hotel, the more secure the feeling Of luxury and repose, Of course one has to dress for lobby-sleep- ing, else ones rest will be broken by inquisitive people called assist ant managers. The Hotel McAlpin meZZanine is excellent for doZing, and so are the divans of the Bilt- more. The Ritz has a lulling atmo- sphere, but the furniture is a bit stiff. The Astor is to crowded, the
 Waldorf excellent if one doesn't snore.
 Movie theaters, especially since the reform wave, offer facilities for good sound Slumber, except for the interludes of noisy tap-dancing and dialect comedians. However, by the time one has stood in line for an hour, and then fought for a seat, he's to exhausted to mind any such trifiing annoyances. Park-bench sleeping isn't exclu- sive, but many of our best people practice 1t. Central Park police, perhaps motivated by envy, are not very tolerant of dozing on the grass.
 Some Obstacles
 | Eagle-eyed watchers warn every body who so much as mods in the public library. So do guards in the railroad stations, but the benches are so preposterously upcomort- able that no right-minded citizen would take his sleeping patronage to them anyway. People with clau- strophobia (and the price of ad- mission) can snooze away a whole day atop the Empire State or Rockefeller Center towers. S many do. - Subway sleeping is a form oi siesta indulged by millions. and serves as positive Identification of native New Workers or at least | of people long inured to noise and | jolting. The trick is to attain that state of somnolence just this side of inconsistencies, and yet be able to leap off at ones destination. Ho-hum forgot to mention office-sleeping Ho-o-o-hum- m-m! ZZ-Z-Z
 .sss.ss..ss.....s. ...s.ssla.ssz..ssss..ssssss.sssA