Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-09
WEAKENING UP.
Old Glories Revived Spirit at Citizens
Meeting.


Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
LONG BRANCH, N. j., July =, 19O4
After several years of lethargy the clti-
aens of this big resort, which for many
years bore the title of the capital of the
north Jersey coast have thoroughly awak-
ened to the fact that strenuous action Is at
last necessary in order to preserve the repu-
tation of the great summering spot. For
the past three months much conversation
has been heard on the subject and various
attempts have been made in slight ways TO
bring about changes. The entire matter
eliminated in meeting of citizens
held this week. which was presided over by
Mayor Blodgett, and which was attended by
the majority of Long Branchs representa-
tive men, The feature OF the meeting was
enthusiastic address, made by Justice
Wilbur a. Heisley. He outlined Long
Branch's famous history and laid before
those present the great opportunities they
were negiecting in not pulling together and
keeping the standard of the resort up TO
that of Asbury Park and Spring Lake both
of which have taken such immense strides
this year, by reason OF the unanlmity or
citizens and the vast improvements they
had succeeded in bringing about on their
ocean fronts, respectively. Judge Helsiey
speech aroused great enthusiasm, and be-
fore the meeting adjourned resolutions were
passed to the effect that the city council
be requested and authorized to purchase
the entire ocean front of Long Branch and
to build a handsome ocean promenade or
boardwalk, and to erect high-class casino
at a suitable point on the beach front.
The expense for this purchase and the
proposed improvements Is to be met by
bond ISSUE as Asbury Park has done, and
the finance committee of the council Is al
ready busy estimating the proposed cost OF
the improvements.
The sale of the West End Hotel by auc-
ton next month will have an important
bearing upon the question. for it is general
ly understood that the Pennsylvania rail-
road Will have a representative at TINS SAFE
This hotel is one of the best known, as well
of the largest, on the Jersey coast,
and has always been a big money maker.
In it Presidents, United States senator's and
some of the most prominent characters in
this country have been entertained from
time to time during the height of Long
Branch's popularity. The object of the sale
is to close up the Hildreth estate, and the
purchaser will undoubtedly tear down the
structure at once and erect a handsome
modern hotel there, as the site is a magnlH-
cent one at the brink of a twenty-foot bluff,
affording a commanding view of the ocean
and vistaS of the famous driveway. 1t has
also been rumored that the Pennsylvania
railroad has obtained title to the Ocean
House property at the northern end OF the
Branch.
of the Branch has awakened such degree
of enthusiasm among all of her citizens
that it is now most likely that many of
these improvements will he perfected dur
ing the coming fall and winter, that the
resort will have much to offer in the way
of attractions before another season ar
rives.
Secretary P. J. Casey of the Monmouth
County Horse Show Association states that
the entries up to the present time have ex-
ceeded in number those of all previous
years. and the show. which will be held
during the latter part of the month will
undoubtedly be the largest ever held here.
The new grand stand has been completed
and the wOrkmen are now putting the fin
ishing touches on the grounds and track.
In spite of his daily trips to New York
city, Mayor Mcclellan is managing to get
considerable enjoyment out of his summer
cottage at the north end of the beach. In
fact. he spends very little time in it, eX-
cepting for sleeping. He is at present one
of the most ardent autOmobilists in the
vicinity, and has already visited the ma
jorty of the resorts on the north Jersey
shore. as we'll many of the picturesque
spots inland.