The daily record., 1953-06-01
B NOOOOOOOOOO
Walter
WincheII
In
New York

desperate gayety. They frartical-
ly clutch for fragments of hapDi-
ness that are more difficult to grasp
than vanishing dream Some
visit cafes solely to display the
emblems of wealth . There are
insomniacs who find contentment
in innocuous chatter Headwait-
ers have an enameled charm and
carry on their duties like actors in
well-rehearsed play Lovers In
the crowd are marooned on an is
land Of enchantment Torch-car-
riers are lost in an alcoholic haze
-. Visiting movie stars are equip
ped with personal spotlights.. In
veterate joynt habitues are basical-
ly lonely. They squander hours
searching for the warmth of COM
panionship-and discover the cold
emptiness that is called boredom.
New Yorkers are touched by a
mystical serenity on Sabbath
mornings. The tempest of the COM
mercial world has been stilled.
Wall Streets canyons are play
grounds for echoes. Residential
districts have an almost zephyr-like
tranquility. There are Few things
more stimulating than hushed
city The eloquent tones of clang-
ing churchbells seem to fit the
silence rather than shatter it 80
Families find deep comfort in
prayer There are promenaders
in parks eagerly absorbing the an
tiseptic air. Solitude can be warm
friend when the world seems be-
calmed =. For a few hours the
city is caressed by peace-and the
people hold it in lovers embrace.
First-nighters are peculiar
breed who have acquired certain
tribal customs. They mistake bad
manners for sophiSticat Jon. Arriv-
ing tardy is almost a law, shouting
greetings of recognition is consid-
cred a form of sociality. During in
termiSsionS they rush up aisleS with
the menacing ferocity of a cattle
stampede. Their lobby-o opinions Of
the play are invariably wrong.
They transform premieres into un-
ruly social events and gaudy fash
ion parades. They are more con-
cerned with how they look-than
the show they see Oddly, the
most inconspicuous members OF the
audience are the most important
the critics .. First-nighters repre-
sent (they think a necklace worn
by the theatre = although it often
seems more like a moose.
Wealth can build a luxurious for
tress that cuts off people from
fundamental Joys. The dowagers
and ,debutantes spend their time
as recklessly as money They pa
tronize expensive shops, exclusive
fcoderies and swanky spots. Yet
there is a strange vacuum in their
lives. Since they are never conf
PEELED to strive for success, they
miss the satisfaction of fulfilling
aspirations. Sometimes you can de-
rive more comfort from earning
bread and butter than having ca
war and champagne. Material po-
sessions cannot nourish famished
spirits Having life served on a
silver platter is frequently as frus-
trating as failure. That's why so
many of them seek the comfort OF
a psychiatrist's couch. Truly hap
DIV people contribute something
useful to society. They are not its
ornaments.
The significance of New York IS
kaleidoscope. 1t has quicksilver
qualities that defy analysis. Love
is not really communicable IN
words. The deep pride and devotion
most New Workers have for their
CITY is an emotion that cannot be
accurately translated -, The lof-
tiest edifices have the deepest
foundations. The pinnacle that tae
Big Town has achieved in the
minds of people around the world
stems from the deep roots New
Workers have thrust into it, What
their sweat and ingenuity have
achieved must inspire admiration
and exaltation. This is one OF the
man-made miracles. Its architec-
tural splendor alone must arouse
awe for the people who made it
a magnificent reality. Humanity
has never carved a more glorious
monument.