EXTRAVAGANCE

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

—Romans 13:13

1484 Miser’s Entire Energy Use: One Light Bulb

From the Philippines, the Manila Electric Company spies spotted what looked like a cheat—a man whose monthly income is P10,000 but whose electric light bill is only P10 ($1) a month. After some sleuthing, they decided to strike. They confronted the man himself with the “facts.” Were their faces red? They found out this miser really had only two electric bulbs which he seldom lighted together. He has no electric appliances at all. No wonder he earns P10,000 a month.

1485 No Trips Over 56¢

London tax officials thought they had Bill Hughes dead to rights when they charged him with bookmaking and failing to pay taxes on the proceeds. The 50-year-old shipyard worker admitted having saved $16,800 on his $56-a-week salary, but said he had done it this way:

Never ate candy, never smoked, never drank, never went out with women, shaved with his brother’s razor blades, charged his grandmother 12 percent interest on money she borrowed, worked a night shift and borrowed his father’s shoes while the latter slept to save shoe leather, went 13 years without buying a new suit, never bought a single flower, limited his lifelong, movie-going to one picture, ate everything on the table even if he didn’t want it, patched everything, including his underwear, never took a holiday trip that cost more than 56 cents.

—United Press

1486 Endicott Eliminating Wastes

In the Endicott-Johnson shops this legend is posted: “Who pays for wasted materials? Waste causes more failures and more unemployment than hard times. If you want this business and your job to continue, don’t waste.” The fact that the workmen in these factories are the highest-paid men in the shoe industry is proof that waste is costly.

1487 Tin Cans As Wrappers

Tin cans are the latest in gift packaging at one New York store. The colorful cans come in two sizes: the smaller, 4½ inches deep, is for ties, belts and jewelry; the larger 8½-inch can holds a sweater or shirt, lingerie, glass or silverware. After selecting a gift, the customer takes it to the canning counter. Once the gift is sealed in, nothing but the kitchen can opener can perform the undoing.

—New York Herald Tribune

1488 Emperor Selassie’s “Needs”

According to an old news report, “Emperor Haile Selassie’s air-conditioned, gold-wallpapered yatch has cost U. S. taxpayers $4 million to date and costs about $80,000 annually to operate. The U. S. picks up the tab. … The entire Ethiopian Navy consists of five patrol boats furnished by the U. S. The U. S. is now going to remodel the Emperor’s yatch at a cost of $900,000.”

1489 Extravaganzas

Frank Sinatra is reported to have hired a man whose only job was to distribute solid gold cigarette lighters to people whom Sinatra liked.

Comedian Jerry Lewis is reported to own twenty-three automobiles. At one time he is reputed to have purchased four Lincoln Continentals.

Comedian Jackie Gleason chartered a train and filled it with girls, reporters, a jazz band, and cases of whiskey.

1490 Typewriter Ribbons Harder To Reach

New York’s Hotel Roosevelt saves an estimated $3400 a year on the cost of typewriter ribbons and carbon paper by storing them 35 feet away from secretaries.

See also: Luxury ; Money ; Ezk. 16:49.

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