FLIGHT OF THE CENTURY

[Music] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] so the 20th century is never old because it is constantly reborn daily the command is issued make up the century a command that takes more than three hours to fulfill not an inch is neglected inside or out no rooms in home or hostelry are scrubbed and rubbed daily to such a point of freshness and inviting time the century is immaculate when a veritable army of experienced workers have finished their appointed task trained according to a carefully planned routine this human machine of many units gets into motion methodically quietly each individual attending to the detail and sustain each operation bringing the great train one step near perfected assembly precision heal care dispatch the traveling public little realizes the unfailing service that is exercised behind the scenes in order that the 20th century may warrant the respect and preference of people who are accustomed to fine appointments in their home fresh from daily sources of supply here they lie foods of all kinds waiting for their allotment through the century's dining service fruits crisp clean vegetables choice beverages meat of the best condiments products right from the dairy the widest assortment of commissary supplies selected for catering to the taste of people who are bred to gracious living no hotel is more ready for satisfying the epicures everyone and women the quality of these fine foods is matched by the meticulously careful handling with every precaution for cleanliness from the moment they leave shelf and refrigerator to their final deposit in kitchen and pantry of the dining car so [Music] [Music] everyone at his post immaculate as the cloud limited is rolled into lasalle street station with carpets laid for those who are about to enjoy it bright and spotless accommodations [Music] so there is a period each day of the year known as the century hour here in chicago as in new york and boston people gauge their movements their appointments their mail their by observing the century hour [Music] [Music] so [Music] so [Music] the hour arrives down to the last split second and we are on our way the 20th century limited queen train of the new york central line [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] an hour from chicago we pause at elkhart where the center receives the first of endless inspections under the skilled eyes of hundreds of men all along its feeding length [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] early evening just a few minutes at toledo time enough for securing today's papers from new york offer a short turn up and down the platform while still another call of workers busy themselves at the century's never stopping inspection then once more the century rolls on [Music] experience has taught the guest of the century to look forward with zest through the dining hour the very appearance of one table is stimulating selections are made glass is raised for gracious toast professional service by professionals trained in the serving of fine foods appetite teasing delicacies top off the famous century dinner as soft light glows comes the fall of night some indulge in their own forms of diversion while for others retiring time arrives clean invite repose in drawing rooms compartments individual bedrooms and spacious births refreshing rest is assured on the century asleep or awake sensory travels revel in the freshness of pure filtered air in every car day or night winter or summer ideal traveling comfort while the 20th century is air-conditioned from end to end shortly before the midnight hour the eternal vigilance of waiting men again inspect at countless posts while signal light and every known trackside safety device stand for the guard here as everywhere along the roof including the exclusive automatic stop which out does even human factors of safe operation here it is that two centuries pass in the night one bound eastwood and the other leading from the atlantic to chicago the new england and boston section leads the new york central line and proceeds up the main line of the boston and albany toward its destination the new york section turns down for its final one along the course of the broad flowing hudson famed in history and literary fables a glimpse of west point majestic on the opposite shore cradle of our armies commissioned staff nestled high above the river that rolled down to the sea framing blisters of supreme beauty in our windows as we arise and prepare in comfort and ease for the occupations of the day so [Music] [Music] entering the park avenue tunnel an open airy spacious passage for the northern part of the city while above us mighty monarchs of architecture tower to the clouds and speak post with a surge of a new day's past [Music] so [Music] plus [Music] here in the cathedral-like spaces of the terminal itself robbing heart of the nation's metropolis we have arrived the way of waste new york by way of the 20th century limits [Music] foreign