The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-17

ferry boats are unable to meet, and which
the existing bridge, by reason of its loca-
ton, cannot satisfy The day consolidation
is affected two additional bridges, each with
q greater capacity than the present one, will
be started, and within few years, one will
be able to get on q ear in the heart of New
York and be carried without change through
Brooklyn or Long Island City to the hundreds
of suburban villages that will spring up to
meet the demands for purer air and cheaper
residences Of the tens of thousands Of wage
earners, who are now compelled to live in
the fet!d tenements of New York. The
bridge over the Hudson will receive an i'm
petus at once, increasing the facilities ior
reaching New Jersey, and then the little
heard, o: but still progressing North River
tunnel will be hurried to completion.
1t is very generally known that the docks
and piers Of New York are among the mean
est and worst in the world, but it is not
known that the greater part Of the freight
ships entering New York Bay are docked in
Brooklyn, where the warehouses and the
facilities for loading and unloading are
better, II far from being the best. One who
has seen the docks on the Thames or at
Liverpool, or in any of the European ports
along the Atlantic or the Mediterranean,
cannot compare them with those OF New
York and Brooklyn, for there is no compari.
son. But once consolidation is assured,
work would be begun along the shores Of
the great harbor, that would not only vastly
increase the shipping accommodations, but
which would give employment to tens OF
! thousands Of mechanics and laborers, and
which would make the great port one to be
proud Of; as it is, the patriotic American
feels a sense Of shame when landing in
/ New York he recalls the splendid docks along
| the Mersey.
With all it's wealth and pretentions to cul-
| ture, New York is still distinctly provincial;
aud Brooklyn, despite its churches and
schools it has no more Of either than other
cities, in proportion to population-is simply
an overgrown village, broken up into little
/ gossping cliques, each Of which proudly
/ imagines itself to be the cCntre Of society,
the one social luminary around which the
others resolve.
With greater New York TammOny, as a
controlling power would be impossible. Men
who do business in New York and live in
/ Brooklyn, or near by on Long Island, would
have no divided allegiance in their voting,
for the home rs we'll as the business would
be considered, With greater New York, an
academy OF art worthy the great metropolis
would spring up, TO be followed by institu-
tions for the teaching of music, the arts,
special courses in medicine and law, and
the hundred and ore means of culture that
are only possible in great community, that
has strong local pride without being pro-
vinca or yerdant.
/ With such city, New York would soon
he with London and Paris, and many of the
rich Americans, who spend every year
$3.50 100000 abroad, would sec the great
social and educational advantages of the
great American Metropolis and make it their
home. The movement for consolidation
has been checked by the trick of crippling
amendments, but that success is sure to
come. no one can doubt who has given the
matter serious consideration.
ALFRED RoCHEFoR1