New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-17


Brookyns people sadly realize They see the wonderful
capacities OF their city for growth and development
they are well aware her borders the farest ana
her possibilities the grandest known to these regions;
but knowing as they do that are in operation to
retard her progress and stunt her growth causes whose
effects are already plainly visible they have fears for the
future shared by more casual observers.
CAUSE OF INCREASE.
The growth of Brooklyn, most people know, has
come almost exclusively from the overflow OF NewYork,
and to s mainly must she look for future ac-
cessons. She has some manufacturing and business
interests her but they are utterly insignificant as
compared with the OF the city, and, as VIII be seen
in the sequel the probabilities of an increase In these
industries are made small by some unfavorabe condi-
tons Of the citys being and under existing circun-
stances these interests must continue in so dwared
condition az render them extremely weak relances
for future growth The crowded condition of New-fork,
aud the peculiar conformation of the narrow Island on
which the city is built operate to force constant over
flow OF population 10 points accessible from the
| business portion OF the city than are those sec
| tions in which New-York has room to grow,
and this overflow naturally tends In the direction of
Brooklyn, whose close proximity and pleasant situation
her borders peculiarly desirable to the crowdedout
NEWCOMER Under this influence Brooklyn has grown
In the past with almost marvellous rapidly and the same
cause is still serving to increase her population though
couuteracting influences have OF late diminished the
| rapidity OF her increase.
The present growth Of Brooklyn Il seen mainly in the
Tenth Sixteenth. Nineteenth, Twentydrst, and Twenty
second Wards in each Of which large number OF build
ngs in process OF construction There nave Deeh
erected 50 buildings In the Sixteenth Ward known as
Dutchtown," during the past year, and the growth has
been OF the healthy and steady character peculiar TO the
Germans The Nineteenth Ward increasing more rapidly
| than the sixteenth. 1917 new buildings having been
erected during the year Its population consists principally
of small property holders who're business savings are In
vested under shadows OF their homes The abundance
of room In that quarter the city TO bring build
ngots within the OF people who could not build
elsewhere and TO this fact than to any other tho
increasing prosperity OF that ward Is attributable The
cause together with the presence OF convenient car
lines encourage the growth OF the Twenty first
Ward which has been greater than that OF any other
ward. Five hundred and fifty buildings have been con-
structed, generally OF moderate cost and designed for
sale rent TO persons Of limited means The topography
OF the ward, however, is particularly pleasant and as
result there fair proportion OF costly residences, built
and building and real estate men anticipate such an adj
of values there will totally change the character
OF the locality within few years. The Tenth Ward is
growing not merely in spite OF its sunken charac-
i ter but by reason Of this very Objectionable
| characteristic. The sunken and oyerhowed lands
have always made it undesirable, both account OF its
Lhealth and the expense of necessary filing and hence
the holders OF property have been compelled to adopt
means to force growth where mono sprang up natu-
rally To this end they have adopted the system of sell
ing lots builders making them heavy loans OF money,
condition that they shall erect houses on the pur-
chased lots The builders expcnd the borrowed money
| in the construction OF houses which, when completed,
thrown the market for sale to let and thus tho
reserved lots enhanced in value and the quarter OF
| the city greatly improved. One hundred and ninety
buildings have been erected in this ward during the year.
Perhaps the mOst promising of the comparatively un-
developed quarters of the city is that which lies in the
triangle bounded by Flatbushave., Ffthave, and
Nnhst known Prospect Hill, aud embracing nearly
all of the Twentysecond Ward This portion Of the city
lies on the western slope OF the ridge and has the most
commanding view to be found anywhere within the limits
OF Brooklyn From the upper windows Of houses, and
ofentmes from the streetdoorways one can look over
the entire city, half Of NewYor and wide expanse OF
bav Fresh breeZes commend the locality in summer,
and Prospect Park, with all its present and coming
beauties Immediately at hand Car lines to the ferries
furnish ample facilities for transportation That go
inviting locality has remained unoceupied for SO long
time while other and less pleasant quarters have been
built up, Is due 10 combination OF circumstances winch
| are rapidly ceasing TO act. The cmef OF these
| was the fact that nearly all the properly Dc
onged to three propietors, each OF whom steadily re-
fused to sell any portion OF the land until about years
| ago when the first break was made Since building in
the neighborhood began the want OF system OF sewers
has greatly retarded hat would otherwise nave Deena
rapid growth This difficulty, however mas been par
TALLY removed and the effect seen III the erection Oh
| which preparation Is making. main sewer has been
| competed and Others will be supplied as rapidly
| they shall be required. The Brooklyn Improvement
| Company ha. expended half million dollars IN lmprov
ing the water front Gowanus Creek and contemplaes
the further expenditure OF Ike sum Ia preparations
for the business interests which their works VIII neces
! sarily draw TO this portion Of Brooklyn
| THE HILL" sUPERsEDIsG THE " HlGHis AZ FASH
IosAmE LOCALITY.
A notable feature in the present Brooklyn, IL the
tendency 10 change Of character IN the occupation Of
the Uights Hitherto the elevated nature OF the ground
and it's close proximity 10 the ferries nave made 1t the
eat OF the cys greatest wealth and fashion This is to
great extent the at present but there seem TO be
svmpoms OF change and the causes operating to effect
n are snch that II can scarcely fail of accomplishment
within years The fact that Eas on. with al
base of the very part OF the Nights must operate
largely to this end Then a tn ts ana n Dn,
Fultonst but desiring 10 avoid fultonst rents, are
rapidly erowdnS Boarding o SS Se srcss
eye.sores OF fashion, rapidly multiplying In location
York so@ which their patronage chiefly comes
| The streets, also, are narrow and the houses
% 90 so that their exterior is far less attractive than
wealth and fashion naturally desire In addition TO all
this other s gnaT ns the Hill or the Of
vide wepaved streets modern architecture pure air.
rat.r rnam attractive grounds, absence OF business
and more cheerful surroundinesa Of which serving
to draw away from the Hight mary People whose res,
inahoase Keepers. The distance from the Hill to the
sr Is scarcely an element in this matter OF prefer
enee AS the people who live 10 either OF the rival quar-
er almost invariably keep their own carriages and the
ear lines supply remaining transportation necessary
| PERIOD OF GREATEST GROWTH
The most rapid increase in population the half
aa from 1894 20 1862 but since the latter year the
rate of increase 10 have diminished steadily, until
no, a .ubtraction Of oWgoers from ineomers leaves
but a small margin Of growth. Under the influence Of
mi. a,ulnshod rspidty Of growth, with scarcely any
St~,S.taaa r. - ssso3sa q bsAdaes. rsass have No