New-York tribune., 1901-06-30
on THE RECREATION PIER.
WHAT IT AFFORDS TO RESIDENTS OF
THE CROWDED TENEMENT
HOUSE REGION.
HOUSE REGION.


notes of a merry -go-round organ which is per-
manently afflicted with hoarseness, no doubt
from the constant river breeze. the creakng of
swings and the shreking of those who occupy
them. with the shouts of small boys and the
OCCASIONAL wall OF a baby, he Inevitable ac
compartment of all East Side revelry, running
through it all. The short block between
Ihi~d ana Second SITS. is responsible for all
this. It is great many times smaller than
Concy Island. but it is not depressed that
account. Its aggressive mrth and noise might
ba trans,a ated "Iittle-but. Oh N.Y.
1t was the Recreation Pier that did it. That
long. low building jutting out into the water
changed the ending of Third-st from sandy,
usly refuge for crap playing boys into breath
iuz place for thousands Of dwellers in the tall
trnements all around. 1t is still sandy and ugly.
away from the pier Itself. but there is lots Of
fun going on. and when you tired of looking
shoreward there is the river. with its endless
excitement.
How they do enjoy the river, Let a tugboat
whistle near by and in the rush to see just
what has happened one has to fight for ones
footing. To the small boy and he is one of the
most ardent believers in the value of recreation
piers. the river offers endless delightful possi-
bilities in the way of collisions and drownings
and suicides. To their elders not less interested
in the grewsome. but less sanguine of its dis
y
haps a clear road for homesck thoughts to
travel on the far journey to the old country.
with its memories and its graves
But sadness If it exists. is infinitely minor
o,,antity on a recreation pier. In addition to the
stretch of playroom. there is much candy ana
lemonade To cheer the hearts of those who nave
a penny or two East Side children usually do
have the penny. and it is amazing 10 See the
store Of eatabes that can be accumulated by
.,i,, Tl,.ar avpN aeip iS
venders live by. and. like all other business
men they have studied their field The small
boy has a chance to press into service that pet
joke Of the East Side when things are sold six
for hve"-''Sx for five. five for four four for
three. three for two. two for penny-gimme
one please.
Children of all sizes and all worldly condi-
tions the chief patrons of the Recreation
Pier. but middle aged women follow closely in
numbers Many Of them bring their babies. and
this is the class most benefited by the pier. \
goodly spot it is for weary heads and strained
nerves and an even better one for baby lungs
too familiar with the close air Il ten-iurnts.
Many sickly baby is brought here day after
day. ore little girl of ten eleven sat nursing
fra mite of less than two-l tiny. dainty lit
tie fellow with blue veined checks and heavy
eyes. His name Joe she explained ana
"he didn't we'll" Every day he comes
here. My mamma brings him else II
Will make him feel good
one doubted if the child could be- made to
feel good" by these outings hut the little
girl had great faith. She knew lots Of babies
who just like joe" and they all felt
grand" the pier She pulled a shawl care
fully about her charge. for the wind chilly
and nodded sagely in answer to an exhortation
not TO give the child candy. Some girls does
but know il makes sick babies much scker.
she boastcd. Anyway" she went on with ele
waited nose. Il don't want to buy candy. don't
care for it" 1t was a safe wager. gancing at
her more than shabby dress. that the lack Of
the omnipresent penny lay back of her
virtue. But she wasn't going to admit II. and
glanced at the candy counter with a fine show
OF scOrn. Which proves that humanity on the
Recreation Pier is much like humanity every
where else and especially the feminine portion
Of it.
There is a bandstand in the centre of the
pier. and when the band plays one has to be an
East Slider born and bred with trained mus
Giles, to get the favored spot AS usual
the music calls out the sentimental element. and
Third-st. SWANS gaze admringly the pretty
girls. in regard to whom Third-st. finds itself at
10 disadvantage with any other portion of the
city. Some Of the young men, arrayed in their
best Sunday or, according 10 nationality Satur-
day clothes make a fine showing. and almost
he Tl= a T'flir I'll. ftRar lfN