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Show By L. L. STEVENSON Thousands who make their living in New York are not real New Yorkers York-ers though some may have been born in the metropolis. I am referring refer-ring to commuters, that great army which pours into New York in the morning and out again late in the afternoon. They are in business or are employed in the city, but they reside elsewhere. Westchester, Connecticut, New Jersey or perhaps Pennsylvania. Usually they eat only one meal in New York luncheon. lunch-eon. Breakfast is gulped at home, : which may be as much as 90 miles away. Dinner comes at the end of a train ride. The news of New York and the world is not learned in the city but on trains to or from the city. Suburban trains are really " reading-rooms. As soon as he finds a seat, whether at his station or in one of the terminals in the metropolis, metrop-olis, the hardened commuter sticks his nose into a newspaper and keeps it there until he dashes for the door at his destination. Not all commuters are train-readers, train-readers, however. Many are bridge fiends. Various train crews look after them carefully. There is no delay in getting int action. Obliging Oblig-ing brakemen hold seats and supply sup-ply tables and cards. For such ervices they are remunerated, of tourse. Train bridge is almost in- , In many a village, the head of the fire department is the real big shot. Up-and-coming towns have paid members of the fire department, but they also have volunteers who are bosses of the paid men. A village fire department exists ostensibly to fight fires. Many departments fight fires so efficiently that insurance rates are low. But there is also the social side and that perhaps is the most important. Thus, if a man is physically able and isn't a member of the fire department, he is more or less of an outsider and can't expect ex-pect to get very far in his community. commu-nity. Moments are priceless to commuters. com-muters. Hence, they are quick to learn all the short cuts. I have noticed that on many mornings in Grand Central terminal which to me, is more or less a rabbit warren. But the experienced commuter ! knows exactly which hole to take to -emerge at just the proper spot to dash to his office. And that's an accomplishment. |