Evening star., 1938-03-06
Manhattan Mirror
Decorators Exhibit Opens.
New York Women Turn
Ideas Into Money.
BY Grace Hendrick Emsfis-

Dorothy Rodgers, wife of Dick
Rodgers Of the wonderful song
writing team OF Rodgers and Hart,
used to be constantly shutting be-
tween Hollywood and New York
when Dick was doing songs for the
movies. That meant they had to
rent their New York apartment a
good deal of the time. She found
she was constantly paying awful
repair bills. Her upholstery was
ripped, the chandeliers were
smashed and the rugs ruined. So,
she decided to start a repairing
business. For six months she con-
suited museum directors, art gall
.leries and tried out all kinds of
artisans. When she opened, ana
she called this business Repairs,
Inc" she had lined up 1913 highly
specialized workmen. Now MOTH
ing is sent to her which she can
not have put in perfect order.
In her shop this week there is
melodian and stable of antique
Chinese pottery horses. Charlie
Macarthur, playwrite and husband
Of Helen Hayes, has sent her the
most astonishing Victorian clock,
set in the trunk Of large wax
tree. When it runs, one little bird
swings frantically from branch to
branch. Another, larger bird
swoops down on the first little fell
low and a third bird hops up and
down on the ground while a crystal
tube whirls around, emulating a
water fall. Luckily Charlie has
given her until July to mend it!
X X X X
THIS has been a particularly fine
week for those who enjoy con-
versing with taxicab drivers. It is
no news that the New York taxi
drivers are congenially cozy, chatty,
agreeable and, in their urban FASH
ion, philosophers. This has been
our experience in spite of occasional
grumblings we hear from the dis
trict attorneys Office that it is an
escape job for racketeers.
The dra wing for the Irish Sweep
stakes is approaching and, Of
course, every driver is going to
win. We found one who claims
his brother-i -in-law is the secretary
Of the National Labor Relations
Board. He is little doubtful what
he can do with his money. An
other has father who is a grave
digger in England. The old gentle
man is rs. hale and hearty and
drinks a quart day. This driver
Is going to send part Of his win
nings to his father with a few mis-
givings about its increasing his al
coholic consumption.
But the best taxi story has as
its hero James McNulty, a former
Associated Press reporter, who is
going to work for the New Yorker.
Although he does not drink any
more himself, he frequents bar
where taxi drivers take their beer
and play cards. He talks and does
a little gentle gambling with them.
A short time ago some swank
English friends of his arrived from
abroad. They had entertained him
splendidly in Europe and McNulty
was determined to show them the
sights of New York in the best
possible manner. So he dressed
himself up in white tie and tails
and, as is his custom, called the
little saloon and ordered q cab.
He then proceeded to pick up
the visiting British at their hotel,
and as they drew. up at the smart
restaurant where he was taking
them to dine, he looked at the
meter and said:
rs IS cents right?"
mo, jim" replied the driver,
sticking his head back into the cab,
its only IS cents. Don't you re-
member I lost IS to you at pinochle
last night?"