The Coolidge examiner., 1935-02-22


Washington. u. C--wNU Service.
VERY day. all day, and far
r into the night. famous Nan
king road, which leads west
ward from Shanghai's Bund. later 10
become BubblIng Well road. Is
packed TO oyerflowIng with traffic.
Especially is this so In the after
noon when offices are closed and
workers are homeward bound.
Only score or so years ago Bub-
bling Well road was favorite
place for leisurely driving In the
cool OF the late afternoon. The
wealthy then rode in handsome car
riages behind trotting horses In
charge OF finely appareled coach
men and grooms.
But the city, too. has grown up
along this street that was once
largely residential and a country
drive. Large department stores,
clubs. recreation halls. towering
apartment houses. churches. a Y.
VI. c. A.. and commercial houses
OF all sorts have risen on every
side. At night the road looks like
n well lighted Broadway. with its
profusion OF neon lamps and NOV
ing electric signs.
In this westward movement and
growth. business and religious struc-
lures have halted their march only
10 preserve space for the race course
and public recreation grounds, and
have left this small green island
OF sport and relaxation In their
midst. At the time the club was
established II marked the outward
fringe OF the city.
Wherever the Engllshman has
come TO the East. he has brought
his sport with him, and he could
hardly suffer to see the race course
and other places OF recreation dis
turbed by business.
The Shanghai races claim a
great deal OF attention. About the
Far Eastern coasts the Shanghai
sweepstakes have always been an
important topic OF conversation In
the spring and autumn. especially
among British ship officers. Each
Is sure that his ten-dollar ticket is
the one that is going to win the
grand sweep OF more than 100000
Mex.
Sharp Contrasts in Streets.
To the new visitor to Shanghai
the street contrasts are vivid. On
the wide streets are window dis
plays worthy Of any Fifth avenue
store: on cross-streets shops are
hung with bright-colored flags, COW
cred with Chinese ideographs, tell
ing Of bargains. sales. and the ma
ture OF the goods supplied. Nearby
street vender shouts the wares
contained In the packs or portable
kitchens that swing from the ends
of his shoulder pole.
Modern talking cinemas, present
ing the latest films and some high
class Chinese theaters debOuch their
CAV throngs; tenements close their
hoard fronts, darken. and are still,
except for n few who try to snatch
a little longer working time away
from the night.
Bright limousines unload a group
of people at some large hotel along
the Bund to attend a formal din
ner: other people are frequentinS
wealthy Chinese restaurants. A
mission Is giving soup and religious
teaching to a queue Of hungry souls.
Chromatic signboards proclaim
the worlds most advertised articles
of trade. What matters 1t II two
Chinese women are brawling loudly
heneath a radio sign, or that out
door Chinese BARRIERS are scraping
their patient victims in the shadow
of a wall that bears advertisements
of the most highly recommended
shaving preparations?
Large, efficient schools and col
leges rise in stately edifices; In a
single room off an alley youngsters
are shouting over and over, at the
tons of their voices, the lists of
characters they are learning.
Jazz bands wall at modern night
clubs and cabarets, while a lone
hawker pipes a few wavering notes
on a nageolet and hopes for one
more customer for his picked fruits