New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-24
EAST SIDE MAGNATES.
THE MERCHANT PRINCES OF 1iE
GHETTO AND THEIR AMBITIONS.


The East Side merchant prince is unknown
to people who live outside OF the crowded dis
trict. but ne is an important factor in his dis
trict lie is the direct outgrowth OF the lhiiuS
from Russia and he demonstrates the remark
able adaptability Of his class
1t does not require as much money to be
counted a merchant prince in East broadway
as in broadway but it is safe to say that the
man with the smaller bank account Yields more
mower where he lives in Bayard. Essex or Allen
sis than his Weather brother prince who has
n city and "A country house, and possibly yacht,
and q shooting box in the woods. OF those who
merit the name e East Side merchant prince
there is none who has not earned the place.
through his own cndcavors Tho ali came TO
New York poor. ignorant Of the language ana
customs Of the country and in many instances
they looked upon tn crowded quarters INTO
which they were forced ana the noisone sur
roundings Of the Ghetto as a luxurious change
from their Russian homes.
The pushcart .he pedlcr's basket and the old
clothes bag were the means by which most OK
those who are now living in East side aiiiuencc
began their mercantile careers. ana as their
business increased they grew in importance III
their part Of the strange community. The Old
clothes bag gave ~ay 10 a small od-cotheS ana
"misiit" shop where the articles were dispensed
which. in the first stages. had to be handed over
to the man who furnished the money which JUS
tilted the old clothes mans cry. "Keeka -ko.
which is as near as he can get to Cash for
clothes" Stores also have taken the places Of
the pushcart and the basket. and as the less
ambitious pedlcrs and the householdcrs patron
izc these stores they grow and expand.
Presently the storekeeper is elected a trustee
In 4 L.
the synagoguo-an that Is the FIRST sign that
hc has entered on the road which leads to
merchant princeton.
The competition is sharp. and men who are
lacking in shrewiness and business tact and
who do not understand the methods Of East
Side business never reach the goal; but II those
who conuucr opposition and by dint Of hard
work economy ana thrift reach the position for
which they laborHd some look down upon their
reiehbors from the deliberately decorated win
dows Of their own houses: they dictate The policy
Of their synagogue and direct the affairs OF Their
various secret social and charitable organiZa-
tons and when the vacation season comes ana
East Side houses become uncomfortable. hey
make a spectacular exodus 10 the country or
10 a watering place.
In the first generation the East Side merchant
prince makes no effort TO associat" with people
on the other side Of the city. H. knows that
although he may bcstow diamonds 10y tn pint
on his daughter she would not b. c'gibl" IN
uptown circles. and he bows to tho decree
which draws a sharp line between him and
other merchant princes. But he keeps on with
his work Of making money. He acquires real
estate and frequently becomes "A political leader
in his district. His children attend the public
schools and later they 80 to higher educational
institutions. frequently bringing ideas u refine
ment into the house and making the parents
ambitious to give up their lead ership IN their
district and become less conspicuous members
OF the community in a better part Of tho city.
Others are fascinated by the surroundings. and
have no aspirations beyond being big people"
In the Ghetto. and they strut through the streets