New-York tribune., 1901-01-03
FEW LOCAL PROPHECIES.

Predictions as TO the development of New
York in this century vary widely. A few ex-
tremey sanguine prophets declare that In a
comparatively short series of years this metrop-
oils will be the first i'm the world in wealth.
production, financial transactions, and even In
population. Such anticipatiOns may be too
buoyant. 1t is true that New-York has made
amazing advances since the Civil War, and
especially in the last ten years. AS a centre Of
capital. and i'm fact as a centre of what is most
characteristic i'm the civilization of the age.
this city is we'll i'm the front rank, and its
people have money to spare when Europe comes
To borrow. But what sound reason is there TO
suppose that New-York will surpass London in
population for generations 10 come? The British
metropolis is now far ahead of this city in its
census figures and its percentage of increase is
exceedingly rapid
New-YOrk cannot pass over State lines and
cannot absorb Jersey City. Newark, HOboken or
any of the thriving counties of New-Jersey.
In fact. her territorial gains in any direction
may he considered TO have reached their limits
for many year. She is not now reaching out
to take in YOnkers or Mount Vernon or any
additions on the north or east, while she cannot
cross the North River and advance westward at
any time. Great as New-York is, and greater
she will be, this century will probably be
white and wrlnkled with age before London
loses its place as the mightiest aggregation Of
people known among men.
President Bowley of the Borough Of Queens
thinks it possible that there may be forty mill
ions of people in NewYork in 1899. This esti-
mate is probably excessive. When the popula-
ton of the lower part of the Empire State, in
Guiding Long Island, rises 10 ten millions, or 20
a total somewhat near those prodlgious figures.
thora will no sill STR a dic-
persal all over New-Jersey than there is now.
1t may be that forty millions of human beings
will be living within the borders OF the States
of New-York and New-Jersey a hundred years
from now, but an estimate of twosCore OF mill
ions for that part of the Empire State below
Poughkeepsie may safely be looked upop as
wild and visionary. But Mr. Bowley is prob
ably right In assuming that Long Island will be
the chief outlet for excessive crowding in the
metropolis, and that the whole region 10 Mon
tauk Point will be covered with homes long be-
fore the first hour of the twenty first century is
begun. ExMayor Gilroy is inclined TO take the
view that NewYOrks centre of population will
be above the Harlem River before many years
have gone by. He is a Harlem man, and has
lived in the upper part of the island for a long
time. Possibly his hopes may have affected his
judgment The growth Of New-Yorl northward
without check. But many shrewd and far
seeing investors have already obtained control
of big tracts of land in the Borough of The
Bronx, which they hold at high prices that the
most extensive movement of people OF moderate
means who desire TO own or rent homes will
probably be TO the broad stretches of Kings
and Queens counties that not yet occupied.
When the rapid transit trains are running
from the Battery TO the Yonkers line on the
west and to Mount Vernon on the east The
Bronx will be studded with households But il
is not TO be forgotten that many public institu-
tions are sure TO retain large areas in various
parts of that borough. Long Island will be we'll
adapted in every way for the homes of millions
of families before this century nears it's close.
when the East River is spanned hy MANY
bridges, il is to be in due time and
when trains are moving at brief intervals
through half dozen tunnels from this island
eastward. Then the census takers of the future
will roll up figures between the Brooklyn water
front and Shelter Island that will cause the cti-
zens of The Bronx to gaze with wonder