BUSINESSMEN SEEK TO BRIGHTEN LONDON'S DULL NIGHT LIFE
London (JFK+50) On February 3, 1922, the Associated Press reports that the "Brighter London Society" intends to make their city the "magnet of the world."
The organization, just recently formed, wishes to "attract...multitudes of people with plenty of money to spend, especially Americans."
The idea for creating the society is the result of discussions held at the Savoy Hotel* by "prominent" London businessmen who are concerned with the declining post-war American tourist trade.
In comparing their city to New York, the consensus of the society's members is that London's night life is "dull" and needs "brightening."
Vice-Presidents of the Brighter London Society include H. Gordon Selfridge**, Bishop of Birmingham and General Sir Alfred Codrington***.
*Savoy Hotel, located in Westminster, London, England, opened in 1889. Designed by Thomas Edward Collcut, the 268 room hotel was financed by the Gilbert & Sullivan partnership. Each room had hot & cold running water.
**Harry Gordon Selfridge (1858-1947) was born in Ripon, Wisconsin & founded London based Selfridges Department Store. HGS became known as the "Earl of Oxford Street."
***Sir Alfred Edward Codrington (1854-1945) was born in London & became a British army officer who served in Africa & commanded a reserve unit in WWI.
SOURCE
"'Brighter London Society' Plans To Make City 'Magnet Of World'", The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., February 3, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
