New-York tribune., 1878-05-29
oBsTRUCTI0Ns N THE STREETS.
HOW yrSDERs' CARTS, AWNINGS, AND BANNEE
IMPEDE TRAFFIC AND EUIN nv APPEARANCE

HOW yEXDERs' CARTS AWNINGS, AND BANNERS
IMPEDE TRAFFIC AND EyIN 1HF APPEARANCE
or IHE STREETS.
The effort in the courts to restrain the
wholesale manner in which permits have been granted
IN sbopkcepers and streetyeuders 10 on portion
OF the for the display OF their wares has called
attention to the many distractions which mar the a
pearuc, OF the streets, impede traffic and annoy foot
passcngers. To those who frequent the streets
down town every day. the manifold nusances
In the shape Of awnings, banners, huge
swinging signs the sidewalks, and stands below
that monopoze half the space for foot passengers IN
the narrow strcets-a these things common that
they excite no remark To the foreigner however ac-
custOmed to the rigid regulations in Continental cities
the license given TO ruin the effect OF the streets ana the
comfort Of the people who pass through them is sub
ject OF wonder and amazemen The tourist sees streets
and avenues here capable Of a0rdmg The finest vstas
but the eye distracted and the effect spoiled hy mum
berles5 devices Of the tradeSmin
Next comes the class Of devices which can be called
obstructions all " the word. These include
the signs that project the sidewalks the stands that
take the space which rghfuy belongs 10 the passer-bY
the various methods Of displaying half the stock OF
small store upon the sidewalk, and the venders'
carts and boxes that encumbcr street corners
and impede travel Upon a sidewalk twenty-fve feet
wide an eurrOaChment Of hve icet would be scarcely
noticed But most Of the streets down own the Hld
walk /, from eight 20 twelve fCct wldc "ch onc-
or, IA Oucaf of his ia covered with the
serious Even If 30 persons gathered about these
stands there would De barely room for two people 10
stands arr built for attracting customers They are
heaped the articles which appeal 10 the eye OF inc
10 his pockets At all hours oi ~" daY IA the busiest "-
Oughiaresu the narrow. crooked me Io"er part
stands rounded by itlcr5 dud curl
osity seekers They swarm about these places Ike e's
sbOut moa asses Cask. Standing IN rows Two Or ihIce
SStIc. OF To- examine tho latest mechanical toy,
leave scarcely any space for passerbY People intent
Ou
guttcr ana the street. and find their way among the
street. uac Nassau Fulton JoAu-sts II is common
a. he oycrCTuwding OF street and a. little needed
Sci men r, DELAYED daily los H. business il hanpcrcd.
tcmpors are sOuIcd. aud clothes are spOilcd.
Taks typical downtown strcat-Nassau-st, for in
stance Here there is eruption OF awnings, stands,
etc fl seven blocks, from Spruce to Crda'ts, there
may be- counted no less than yenty awnings Some
are mounted large permanent frames ana remain up
the greater part OF the year These ung1inly but
are the Iea.t anpoying The majority are low aWuugs,
put up regularly evefy morning. ibey are aDout loot
above the heads OF pasarr'-J' Inea tI ,i'oIl, IN
a wet day. They cHilfcB prevent one H"h
getting ccaS-yicw Of more than block al once once
u.t o the corner Of Johust. few days ago, char
actersc sight was presented. Here s stand Tor the
sale OF !apcrS books ana ~, .. Iaces
II occupies fully one-haf the sidewalk Opposite 10 TINS
on the CD,tonc drawn W large vendors cart t,I
scarcely more than three feet wide. The crowd That
came rushing around the corner from i. Dqli
ions cNcurslOus about the vendors cart, much
profanity. much loss Of time llt the dealer n "ana4s
Ca n Of the curses OF those whom he annoyed. Al the
III III ,Jtr vas a street mouutebauk selling glass toy.
i ouarrly ON the corner Four feet from him
Was "A largo lemonade stand. Ihe crowd aura, tch
by his nuency filled the entire walk ihefe
policeman stood the outer circle listening 70 tie
harangue No effort made 70 comPcl lne man 10
stand outside the cuIbsOne although he Ioiceu e'oi1
passer-by " take 10 the street.