Evening star., 1944-04-19
FEA Is Initiating
Europe's Habits; Now
Has lis Coffee Hour
BY HELEN LOMBARD.

Washington is acquiring some Of
the European habits which made
life in prewar London and Paris
so attractive to Americans. The
British had their "tea hour" which
no emergency, public or private,
could interrupt. The French went
in for the 'long lunch" from 1890
to 2:30 pm, which means no busi-
ness could be transacted in France
during that period dedicated to the
worship of food.
British and French businessmen
and officials made up for these gaps
in the day by working late in the
evening. The crowded cocktail
rooms In Washington, which begin
to flll up about 6 pm, are a we'll
publicized side Of the wartime capi-
tai
One of the sights of Washington
which is not for the ordinary WASH
ingtonian, however, Is the coffee
hour" which has become an insti-
tuition in one of the buildings which
has been turned over to Leo Crow
ley's Foreign Economic Administra-
ton.
Few Visitors at Coffee Hour,
"A visitor who goes to that build
ing on business must undergo the
wartime routine Of registering at
the reception desk, citing the ON
cials whom he wishes to see, re-
ceiving badge and an admittance
slip. He then proceeds direct to
the office Of the individual on whom
he is calling, and is not aware Of
the midmorning and midafter-
noon coffee gatherings which in
terrupt the Government day.
1t requires an invitation from an
omcial to see this side of Govern
ment life In Washington.
A large space In the FEA build
ing on Constitution avenue Is given
up to about $50 tables, some seating
two, others seating four. This is
not just lunchroom for the accom-
mediation Of employees in that build
ing. 1t opens at II and closes at
$3.50 pm. As soon as the doors
open the room begins to fill and
within q short time the place is
bubbhng with conversation. It is
soon apparent that q very small
percentage Of those who come in
at this hour are patrons Of the
luncheon counter. A small number
Of early lunchers fill their trays.
but much larger number obviously
have come in for cup Of coffee,
q smoke and a chat.
Executives Surprisingly Young.
The extremely youthful appear
ance OF the majority Of the FEA
administration employees is impress
sive. Some Of them who were
pointed out as executives" look
older than the lively, attractive
daughter OF Manpower Director
Paul McNutt, who is doing a war
time job In Mr.. Crowley's organ
ization.
Important inter office problems
are, however, undoubtedly settled in
this cof1ee room, for some of the
patrons sit over the mid-morninp
brew for half to three-quartersa of
an hour. Several of those who were
pointed out as policy trainers were
visiting about from one table to
another. q er'-ts
Originally the FEA combination
coffee and lunch room opened at
10 am. and the crowd was lining
up as soon as the doors opened. A
high oficial decided that 10 am.
opening was an invitation to Gov
ernment personnel to waste time
and the hour was advanced to Ill
O'Clock. Before closing time at $50
pm. more coffee enthusiasts come
In for cup and a chat.
It is being noted that the Ieisurely
tempo Of this organization has not
interfered with the serious charac-
ter OF its work. Mr.. Crowley's ad-
ministration has just issued q COM
forting report, based on hard study,
to the effect that Germany is on
the verge Of economic collapse and
will be, at the end of the conflict,
more prostrate than after. the 80
years war.
(Released b. the Bell Syndicate, 1nc.)