New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-15

The following letter regarding an editorial on
street signs in The Tribune yesterday was re-
ceived from Borough President Cantor last
evening:
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: am very much interested in the edi-
torial in relation to street signs which appeared
this morning 1 think it proper TO state the
facts, and then, of course, perfectly willing
to be subjected to any criticism you may deem
just.
When took office found not only no street
signs. but also many corners where the posts
had been removed and not uniformly. The de-
mand for street signs was general and i'm
mediate that 1 was compelled to use the posts
as found them. On some corners there were
electric light posts, others abandoned lamp
posts. and on some corners there were neither
electric light nor lamp posts. 1t will therefore
be readily understood that, so far as location
of signs was concerned, they could not be uni
fOrmly placed, and we had neither the time nor
the money to erect new posts, so as 10 secure
the uniformity so desirable. In addition 10 this.
it necessary for us to suggest signs that
We're appropriate for the variety Of posts. IL
will be further remembered that had no
signs to guide us and that we had TO create new
ones and these, of course. were more or less
experimental. We originated the following de-
First-sigrs on Welsbach lamps uniformly
ton.
Second-Signs on the electric posts OF two
kinds made necessary by the character Of the
posts-the triangular and the square. the tri-
angular signs with refectors where the posts
warranted, and the square signs lighted from
the inside.
Third-On the abandoned lamp posts We
placed two kinds of sfSns-tTianguIar and
square. We selected the triangular sign as ex-
perimental in Difference TO the expressed opinion
of members of the Municipal Art Society and
with the belief that they more useful on
surface railroad thOToughfares. but in every
case they of uniform size and lettering.
Fourth-In addition we have put up over six
thousand blue and white enamelled signs on
the houses on street corners.
So you Will observe that there are but four
kinds of signs of general character made receS-
sary by existing conditions and to some ex-
tent experimental.
1t is true, as YOU say, that the appropriation
was wholly insufficient, Notwithstanding nv do
termined and repeated efforts TO get money
sufficient to put up signs of the right kind
be uniformity, but that must come grad
ually. The important thing was to get signs
up that were artistic and legible and I believe
that has been done. When II is remembered
that fighting for appropriation necessarily
delayed matters, and the creation OF the new
designs with a limited appropriation has been a
most difficult matter, IL seems to me that when
over nine thousand signs have been erected in
less than TWO years the administration is en-
titled to credit rather than adverse criticism
So you see, sitting the sign question there are
after all but two kinds of signs to shape
and, excepting the Welsbach. two kinds for cleo
trio poles and two for street corners.
You are mistaken when you say that all OF
the appropriation was not used Not only was
IL all used, but money besides from my regular
appropriation. JACOB A. CANTOR
New-York. Dec. II. 1903