The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1904-12-30
A Visit to New York


1t stands as the gateway Of the
United States to the entire world.
The inland visitor sees the great
ocean steamers arrive and depart,
with their hundreds of passengers go
ing ashore and aboard, and he feels
that the PARKWAY Europe of which he
has dreamed is but a short distance
New York is one of the most cos
mopolitan of cities Almost every
nation on the globe has contributed
to the population. The races most
largely represented are Irish, Jew
and Italian.
The value of time was one great
lesson that forced itself upon the
writer, as he saw 1t exemplified al
most every moment from the time he
left the train in Jersey City until
New York's sky-serapers passed from
view as he departed a week later.
Everything possible is done TO save
time. No expense, however great, is
spared in providing time-saving facil-
tiles. Rapid transit for the people
is the greatest problem of all, per
haps. And in this line the greatest
achievement of the world has just
been accomplished in New York. An
electric car system, under ground,
with four tracks laid in tunnel sew
eral miles long, right under the bust
est streets, was being put into opera
ton at the time of which we write.
1t was built without disturbance to
traffic on the streets, at cost OF
$55, 900, 900, after having been declar-
ed an impracticable undertaking by
many engineers. The cars run at a
high speed and the number OF peo-
pie they are capable Of hauling per
hour is enormous. In addition to
this there are the surface cars and
the elevated trains, on all Of which
the passengers step lively to prevent
their feet being thrown from under
them. And the automobiles! Num-
bers OF them are in sight at all
times on all streets in the city. They
are so common that we saw laundry
wagons and truck wagons of the au-
tomobile type. The doom of the
horse would seem to be almost seal
: ed If we confine our view to New
York City.
The great wealth existing there is
apparent on every hand. Lavish ex-
penditure of money is seen in build
ings and equipment everywhere.One is
Impressed with the notion that the
money is always ready to carry out
the most elaborate plan or idea that
may be originated by man, and that
many wealthy rivals are continually
striving to Guido each other in exhi-
billions of extravaganza. Two very
, striking examples of the lavish ust
of money were opened to inspec,
lion Just before our visit there. These
are the st. Regis Hotel and the new
Hotel Astor. One Of these places
cost five millions of dollars and tbs
other seven millions. That is great
sr sum of money than the ordinary
mortal can comprehend. A little cal
culation will show that the interes
on the investment of seven millions
. at the Big Sandy Valley rate of si'
per cent. is, in round numbers, abou
S1400 for each working day in tn
year. This will help to comprehend
the sum piled up in one building. w
r were shown through the finer of thes
: thotels-the st. Regis-which claims I
be the finest in the world. Their
was but one guest In the house a
that time. The rates range fror
seven dollars per day to SIPS per da
z for room only. Meals are served ex
ira in a cafe adjoining. The rate Q
$125 day is for suite of two con
Meeting rooms and abath room. Re
Gently, the wealthy race horse mar
J. r. Thomas, has taken up his abod
e there at the highest rate, under cor
: tract for one year. His living room
|, alone cost him $4,000 for the yea
: Not bite to eat goes with this. Thu
e it would be possible to starve to deaf
e at the St Regis upon hotel bill c
: S125 per day. We were told that nc
e a room in the house contained les
/ than $4,000 worth of furnishing
The floors and walls of the office an
many other parts of the building al
/ made of choice onyx and the fines
= of marble set in blocks of var
( GUS shapes and grouped into the mos
I attractive designs. Everywhere thei
r is the highest touch of art and tn
: most exquisite display of finery.
n A visit to the world-famed Stock E
e change on Wall Street was as intel
S esting as call at mad-house, an
n the actions of those engaged in thi
}, Istupendous and exciting game are jui
g about as ineligible to the countr
+ spectator as are the wild gyration
5 of the inmates OF the Strong ward
: at lunatio asylum. The value of
t seat" on the Exchange is now sal
= to be about 100000 Only the yer
: wealthy can become members. TIL
e game is unlimited. Millions are some
times made and lost in a few hours
Visitors are admitted TO q CALLER
far above the heads of the members
Along toward closing time the floo
is so covered with bits of paper an,
presents such an untidy appearance
that the place looks more like
stock pen than an exchange.
Along one side is row OF stalls
where they probably tie up the bulls
and the clears" when they get to'
rampant. The valuable seats" W,
read about are not visible, the floo
being clear of everything except I
4.