The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-27
A ROOF GARDEN ON PIER.
TIE FIRST OF FoUR TURNED OYER
TO THE PUBLIC YESTERDAY.

II II ut the Feot or East Third street-Thero
Will Ne BAND Hrusic Every Day-Nayer
Strong and President O'Hsrien spoke 60 n
mig Crowd or sIon. women, ana Cnildrcn.
There were unusual sounds along the East
Rivor Yesterday, consisting Of the shrill laugh
ter and tho cheers of thousands Of boys and
girls and some hundreds Of men and women and
tho lively music Of q band; and IL tho old river
gods cars woro moro than supernaturally sharp
he may have hoard q half dozen speeches
made. II he did hear them, his was
almost q unique pleasure, for no one
elso did except those who worc damned
against the s~peakers' stand. All this happened
at the foot of East Third street. whom Mayor
Strong formally dedicated to the people Of the
Eleventh ward another breathing spot. the best
Of all in summer time, the new free roof garden
pier.' as It 10 called. There was little formality
connected with the ceremony Of dedication, for
the Mayor Just turned the pier over to o crowd
Of mon. women and children that would have
filled comfortably q space three times the size of
the pier.
The roof garden pier opened yesterday Is tho
frst OF four now under construction, and its
dedication really marks 4 new cru in the work
this city has been doing for tho pent-up thou
sands Of the tenement districts. 1t required two
years TO start the work. for Alderman Goodman
presented tho resolution in the Board of Alder.
blUh bhInk th0 DouTu VI bOChb W builu bhSh q
roof garden two years ago last February. Now
that the 1rst one has boon practically completed
every ono IL wondering why the work was not
done years ago, for this ono cost but $4,000. and
required but seven weeks to build, and the use
fulnoes Of the pier on which 1t stands. instead OF
being decreased, has really been enhanced, for
the pier. instead of being open. is now covered.
The Dock Board, which has done the work. de-
cidcd to signnlize tho opening Of the pier with
H. AG--A -~.
chartered and q large party Of men and women,
officials and philanthropists, boarded her at the
foot OF West Twenty.second street. There were
on board Mayor Strong, Arson G. McCook. Gen.
O'Bricn. President of the Dock Board; Commits
pioncr Einstcin OF the Dock Board, Col. Warning,
Mayor Patrick ]. Gleason, President Mcmillan
Of the Park Board. Commissioner Faure, Prcsi-
dent Jcroloman of the Board of Aldermen, Bish-
op Farley. the Rev. DR.. Sherer. Commissioner
Sutro. Secretary Terry Of the Dock Board. and
the Hon. William Lcary. When Gen. McCook
boarded the boat he looked around and remarked
to Mayor Strong:
This is a fine collection of tax-eaters you've
rot here, isn't it I" and his Honor winked.
The Steamboat left Twenty-second street at
BIS and steamed around the Battery, up the
East River, to the pier. The Mayors flag was
flying, and all the steamers and tugs saluted
the Magenta as she passed.. When the pier was
Iedt u6t u u Soul Nhs- % -CASopl Sohio iuC
uniformed employees of the Dock Department.
The Mayor looked a bit astonished, and turn
aWhere are the peoplei I don't see any
around"
Gen. o'Brien. Third street is full Of them by
this time; and We we're keeping them out till we get
judging from the rush that came afterward,
Third street must have been full Us far as First
ranged about the band stand in the middle.
Then the band began to play, and from
down the street came a wild yell. fol.
s sexTs and Ss the the next moment a apes ed the the
boys and girls. running at full tilt to get the
Two solid streams Of humanity poured up
the two stairways. big and little boys and girls,
dTen int IN sh mi1a ARMS s'a until p The ss' big is:i hoor E: so f ies.
long and 90 feet wide. contained as many as
brute force could squeeze into the space. They
guests, squeezed. the latter out Of their seats:
and took possession of the place in every sense OF
ones rejoicing; in he possession Of a new play.
ground. the old ones thankful that at last a place
cool. salt breeze of the river in measurable peace
and comfort.
II turning over the pier to the Mayor. Gen.
1T is at once my high honor and pleasant
which, in accordance with a statute of this
eSer w has Sef I p fenste"c Hene el sfs q It Is dedit
Gated to the comfort and happiness of the in.
ha6ttants Of this srsa. city. The statute It ute re- re.
pnrtment OF Docks may deem necessary shall
be set apart for the free use of the people OF this
city, the lower or street level floor of each pier
to be devoted to the reception Of country
produce and other merchandise, and the upper
sort where those whose fortunes in life do
not render it possible for them to seek recrca-
ton and pleasure at the seashore, on the noun
GQilS. in the country. or in foreign lands. may
enjoy the pure bracing air which circulates up
mingle with and are a part of the great ocean
within sight of the tops of many Of our tall
buildings. Thus the object of supplyins, food
ties for social and healthful enjoyment, are hap
PLY united in one structure:
This beneticence is not the work of a day. It
was first conceived and proposed about fifteen
years ago; it is the outcome Of tho large.hearted
people OF this city. This Communication Of ali
the hopes and purposes and efforts Of tho last
ing expressions OF that public.spirited enterprise
which has given to us hospitals, great and small
Schools, and oiher instrunentalitiea having in
view the well being and advancement OF fellow
man.
Mayor Strong responded as follows:
Nothing that I have done since / became
Mayor of this city has given me more pleasure
men who have worked to get this for you de-
seEye the highest Praise, and know that you
for the great east side. and when on hot summer
nights you come down here with your wives and
children and breathe the fresh. cool air OF the
river breezes you will appreciate what has been
done. We're building three more piers like this,
only the, Will be larger. and other people OF this
eity viii have the same chance to enjoy GOODNESS
Then the Mayor introduced other speakers.
who talked in the same strain. Among them
we're Dock Commissioners Einstein and Monks,
Bishop Farley. the Rev. DIR. Sherer, President
J%eroloman, Alderman Goodman. and, William
dc II. Washington. n member OF the last Tene
msent House Commission. When they had An.
iBhed, the guests went away and left the garden
to the crowds and the band.
The pier is not yet quite completed. and will
oe closed from last night TO next Monday. Then
will be open to do double time II necessary.
The Dock Board. which has charge of it, has
been most liberal In its arrangements. Joyce's
Military Band will be there Ave nights OF each
week and Saturday and Sunday afternoons, sc
that the eastsiders will not lack for music. The
pier will undoubtedly be a boon to the people In
the neighborhood, and when the novelty has
~urn of there will be room there and seats
enough for nearly all who wish to go to 1t.
BICYCLE PoLIoE TOP A RUNAWAY.