NEW YORK ORGY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2125, 8 May 1920, Page 1

NEW YORK ORGY.

KECKLESS SPENDING. New Yorkers are now imlulgin” - in (lie greatest orgy of extravagance in the history of America. Never before has there been such spending, such reckless, high-handed spending, such disregard for values, such eager grasping for luxuries, such indifference, as to the ftutre. Probably the worst aspect of this period of economic blindness is that the people of New York are taking no thought of what the morrow may bring. In the past the New Yorker lias been careful and businesswise in bith the making and spending of money: he now shows an niter disregard as to how he spends it. Never before was (he great metropolis so overflowing with money and all that money can give. Wages and salaries are high, and prosperity has touched almost every class. There are more jobs than people to (ill them. The newspapers are full of advertisements asking for help. Invariably, there are twice as many notices asking for workers as (hero are unemployed looking for positions. There has arisen also, through the war, a large ohms of no-

vean riche —a class held in line contempt in England, but tolerated and even encouraged here, This distinct stratum of the population ammassed large fortunes in the sale of war supplies, but has not (he stability of character or the training necessary to handle its wealth. The noveau riche made their money quickly, they are overwhelmed with the consciousness of its power. They feel that money is worthless unless it is spent lavishly; and, acutely conscious of their lack of standing' as concerns the old rich families of the city, they have east themselves into the race of social recognition. Nothing is too expensive, nothing too valuable if it will advance them a little distance in the race. Costly dinners and entertainment-', extra; vagant dressing, magnificent, but barbarously conceived, homes, luxurious automobiles —all are products of this craze for the social limelight. The money earned by the husband —often at the expense of long hours and shattered nerves — is spent by the wife and children without a thought of restraint* It is no unusual thing for a formerly unknown manufacturer’s wife to give a debutante-ball for her daughiter, with a thousand guests, at the

most expensive hotel in the city. However, it is not only the. noyeau riche who have east their reckonings behind them. The same thing applies to the ordinary worker. The mill hand, the clerk, the small shopkeeper, agd all the components of this vast metropolis are riding on (he wave of prosperity. They are making more money now than ever before in their lives. They, have (,uite made up their minds to spend this money freely. It has become n common tiling to see men and women, who by their appearance arc unmistakably of the manual labouring class, buy rich furs, expensive’ .clothing, and high-priced .jewels.