New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-23
THE SCARCITY OF LUMBER.
MANY SPECTATORS CANNOT GET THE
TIMBER FOR THEIR STANDS.

TIMBER FOR THEIR SIANDo.
There is scarcity in the grade OF lumber usually
used in the erection OF grandstands In the lumber
yards of this city and Brooklyn. The owners of
the yards did not anticipate the erection OF so
many stands as are looming up on every available
piece of ground along the route OF parade, ana
they are unable TO I'LL all the orders promptly
Up to the present time about one hundred ana
twenty-five plans for stands. the average seating
capacity being about eight hundred. have been
approved by the Buildings Department Some
builders declare that they cannot get light wood
others that heavy timber cannot he obtained, but
the general cry is that neither one nor the other
kind OF wood be mad at This state OF
affairs has caused considerable CONSERVATION
among those who have not yet begun the building
Of proposed stands. Many of these persons have
already spent hundreds OF dollars for sites. and
the chances are they will lose whatever they have
expended by not being able TO carry out their
Plans nn, ,.o,,o u,.,r. ,ovO no,n at.
tracted to this city by the stories about the eX,
the parade. They have paid well for desirable
sites have had plans drawn for the building OF
stands to suit their own ideas. and now many Of
these people have Just learned what they should
have known. that not board can they lay for the ne
been accepted by the buildings Department
The foreman Of the large stand hat IS being built
aeen rhG and RvSTsGe Drive told Tribune
porter yesterday afternoon that there was a
scarcity of all kinds Of timber. II have not had
any trouble in getting material for my stand he
Hcmlock and pine are mostly r'.ded.. and don't
believe you could find load Of |, in oo any yhrq
you could get many leads of 1t In ifrookyI. Inc
owners Of Yards within the last fortn'Sht is larger
by far than most lumber merchants ever hreaIrd d
from the BATTERY to the northern limits of the
city had been cleared Of such timber as you r see
owners Of the yards then saw that there would be
n scarcity Of wood. and at once began TO STOCK
their wards again As fast the new thinner
reached here IL was sold and still there are many
additional orders to be filled
CRITICISMS on THE STANDS
There were many uncomplimentary remarks made
by visitors TO the tomb yesterday about Inc APP
parenty fmsy construction of some Of the private
s,,rds naar the monument; Tho rumor that this
stand is not strongly properly built" said the
owner OF a structure which had been the subject
OF much criticism. rs utterly false. II may look
as though It weak but that Is no PROOF tha'
II Is not strong. The uprights or II are not as
thick as many OF the stancs but there are more OF
,b.,, used In the construction of this stand. and
they are nearer together than In any stand nave
seen This stand is stronger and better IN many
respects than any OF those bull, or IN 'he co"' =
OF erection The props OF the upfigh's are Only
temporary and will be replaced by heavier ones
The stand is carefully constructed in the rear IL
,hara was any bad work done in the building OF
,hi. stand the Budings Department would nave
found 1t out long ago because 1t has been frequently
inspected None OF the inspectors nave hao any
fo,,l, IN ind with it," Tho building inspectors are
making things unpleasant for some persons VINO a'e
putting UP stands that are NO. up W INV
ments OF the plans
II was an ideal day yesterday FOR cycling ana
thousands Of wheemen enjoyed an exhilaratlne
trim along Riverside Drive 10 the tomb There was
also an unusually large number OF carriages at
the tomb.
DELAY on THE LARGE GRANDsTAND.
(Sn
sons on the 'rive opposite the tomb, was nm
ished Yesterday. In speaking OF the cree
ton Of the stands John r. Brady. the con-
tractor said: The chance OF the WORK beng done
by Saturday is slim. In order that everything may
be I'm readiness for the ceremonies. nave ASKED
and received permission from Chief Conln 10 con-
tinue the work on Sunday Had got the contract
for the Job early, could have had all the timber
7 need here without delay. But the contract was
not given TO me until the last hour. and In conse
quence l have had some diffculty In getting the
lumber desired and having 1t brought quickly
Several workmen were busy yesterday covering
the windows of the tomb with purple silk curtains
Curtains Of this color are used SO as 10 tone u'e
ligh; in the tomb.
The piers Of the triumphal arch under which the
citys guests will pass to be built across the drive
opposite the tomb. were raised yesterday. The
work OF lifting 1t in place was watched by large
throng of s!shtseers.
little knoll north of the repository yester-
day by a large wooden fagpole Ihls pole
is to be erected about three hundred feet
north of the mausoleum. 1t is lSI feet high
in diameter at the base 1t is fifteen feet higher
than the hagpole the Battery. and IT is said 10
be one OF the largest If not the largest ever erected
in this country. 1t consists of two pieces. which
will be held together by iron bands The work OF
erectinc IL was begun as soon IT reached the
grounds From the top OF 1t will be unfurled nag
measuring so by IS feet The nagpoe il the gift OF
the Daughters of tho Revolution.
II was announced yesterday that the members OF
the Legislature not only TO have stand
erectad for them north OF the repository. but also
a large tent under which luncheon will be served
10 thcm.