The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-07-09
SIGHTSEEING IN
NEW YORK CITY
c. E. CANTINE WRITES OF THE
GREAT METROPOLIS
Wanamaker's, Broadway, Brook
lyn Bridge and Navy Yard--Some
of the Changes in Forty Years--
Working Out Manifest Destiny.
East Orange, N. j., June 21.

LdSb vi dilSC. ~ u. u ulC -i'
Editor IsLANDER: There is one
thing that has surprised me since J
have been here / have had access
to all the papers-Tribune, Times,
Sun, World, ETC., and | have seen
but one solitary item concerning
anythi G that has happened on the
Pacific coast. Did not expect to see
any about San Juan county, but
would think something might attract
the attention of a New York paper
more important than hobo's story
of a ride on a brakebeam, copied
from the Seattle Times. Must be
quiet times in Washington. 1t is
somewhat consoling that Roosevelt,
at least, doesn't think New York the
whole thing and is Independent Of
Wall street and certain Platss and
Depews who have heretofore thought
they we're the people, and that the
country would 90 to smash unless
they interposed New York city is
so vast and such power in the land
that it is no great marvel that its
citizens should deem it the center of
the solar system and, so far as they
are concerned, the whole universe.
We are gradually seeing the nota-
BILE sights of New York. We began
at Wanamaker's, store big enough
for any place. Mrs. c, wanted to do
some trading, or that would not have
been first. 1t is not so very differ
ent from other department stores, ex-
cept in size. About 800 clerks, etc, it
takes to man and woman the estab-
lishment. The top story is restau-
rant for employees and customers.
Walked down Broadway to the city
hall and did deal of looking up in
seeing the skyscrapers-some twenty
stories; then across to the Brooklyn
bridge and walked across, taking our
time to see and to realize the vast
ness of it. 1t fills one with respect
for the race that can plan and exc
cute so largely and SO successfully.
You have a fine view of the East
River water fronts of New York,
Brooklyn and Williamsburg, of Gov
ernor's island, and can see the statue
of Liberty on Bedloe's island, and
the tall buildings are all visible.
There is a noticeable absence of sail
ing ships in the harbor. Steam has
driven them off the seas. Forty years
ago the whole water front was
crowded with sailing ships-the finest
the world has ever seen. 1t was the
day of clippers and the American
flag was seen on every sea, and will
be again probably when this country
is as densely populated as Europe
and wages are down to the European
level-and not until then. But that
is another story.
We are on the bridge, and the ele-
waited trolly cars-hundreds of them,
vehicles If all descriptions and a
great mutt titude on foot that changes
continually, but grows no less while
the day lasts, are on it, and it is a
sight worth seeing and hearing, For
it isn't still life at all, but rafting,
roaring procession. From the bridge
it is not far to the Brooklyn navy
ward and of course / had to go there
for The sake of memories of over forty
years ago if for nothing else. 1t has
greatly changed since then. The
storerooms and shops of that day
were only four and sufficed for the
repairing and Quitting of the old
wooden war ships and left room for
the beautiful parade ground and
park. Now all of that is covered
with machine shops of all kinds and
it is a pounding, hainlnering disccrd,