The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-07-23
The Produce Exchange ofNcw York
CITY.

The New York Produce Exchange is
one of the most conspicuous buildings
on Manhattan Island. the seat of the
most influential mercantile corporation
within its limits, and the market in
whose exchanges the entire national
commonwealth is most deeply interest
ed. Like q beetling cliff commanding
the eye OF the home-bound Mariner" it
challenges the notice of travellers APP
preaching through the Narrows, or
crossing tho Hudson from the further
shore. Its massive campanile shares
with the lace-like Brooklyn Bridge, the
spire of Trinity Church. the tall tower
of the Tribune, and the ambitious alti-
tude of the Equitable and Western Union
structures the admiration of the stranger
In view of the purposes this edifice is
designed to serve, it is INTELLECTUALLY
unrivalled by any in this or any other
country. OF the modern Renaissance
in style, and marked by symmetrically
beautiful lines, its general effect is i'm
posing, and imparts the idea of strength
and permanence. The Building Com
mittee knew what they wanted, and
were fortunate enough to find in George
Il. Post, the architect, trained artist
abundantly able to unite their original
designs with the graces and elegance
and uniformity. Begun on May l, 1881,
it was finished on May /, 1884. Fifteen
thousand and thirty-seven New England
pine and spruce piles, driven through
the yielding primitive soil to solid bed,
and cut off below the level of tide-water,
insures the safety of the superstructure,
and by their uprightness are supposed
to harmonic with the mercantile men
and morals they uphold. The building
is fire-proof throughout Granite, brick,
terra-cotta, and iron are piled above
the corner-stone-bearing in lasting
bronze the word Equity" that was
laid with imposing ceremony on the 9th
OF June, 1SS2-and compose an edifice
800 by $50 feet in superficial area, and,
with tower and terrace, of 53,779 square
feet. One hundred and sixteen feet
measure the distance from sidewalk to
roof. 225 feet to the coping of the tower,
and 306 feet to the top of the flagstaff
or course we are not surprised when
told that the flag, 50x20 feet, is the
largest ever made. The tower clock has
face twelve feet in diameter, each
number measuring foot in length,
and weighs 1900 pounds.
The Produce Exchange, costing with
land and furniture n grand total of 49,
1850. IL, is valuable index of pro-
gressive wealth and civilization. IL in
cludes $4,000, 900 bricks, 16 miles of iron
girders, 81 miles of columns, 2061 tons
of terra-cotta, z 1-2 acres of flooring.
more than 2000 windows, nearly 1000
doors, 1-2 miles of sash cords and
chains, over AZ tons of sash weights,
1-5 of an acre of skylight over the Ex-
change room, 20 miles of stcam-pipes,
nearly mile of paneled wainscoting,
and weighs over 10000 tons. Four
thousand separate drawings were re-
CURED for its construction. The nine
hydraulic elevators carry an average of
2l,600 people daily, or 100000 every
year.. The pumping capacity is sufli-
Gent to supply water to n city of 49,
600 inhabitants, and 1,194,133 horse
power is utilized annually for heat and
force. All these items are of less practi-
Cal interest to the members than the
fact that the 100 offices rent, together
with privileges, for about $180.O00 per
annum, not including premiums of over
$4,000 paid for choice, and return
about six per cent on the entire invest
ment. With the rents and annual dues
there will be in 1886 net surplus above
interest and expenses of $4,000. This
income will, of course, increase as the
bonded debt decreases. When the latter
is liquidated, the Exchange will enjoy
q net income of about 5000, 900 year,
which may be applied to the reduction
either of dues or of gratuity assess
ments.-Richard Wbeatiy, IN Harper's
Magazine for Juku.