New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-12
HE LIKES THE NEW CoNEY ISLAND
Professor Patten Urges the City to Build a
Boardwalk There.

The best key to the ocean is q boardwalk" is
the verdict OF the socioogist Professor 8. n Pat
ten. Of the University OF Pennsylvania Thou
sands OF men and women trying hard for higher
standards under difficult circumstances" is his
characterization OF Coney Islands throngS. "Aru-
hclaI'-his description OF the present distribution
OF attractions.
For several months Professor Patten has been
formulating a theory Of amusement as a means
OF social betterment' The occasion for the at
tempt to apply his general economic theories 10 the
problem OF popular anusements was furnished by
the request Of the New-YOrk Association for I'M
proving the Condition OF the Poor. which has Sc
cured statements from various prominent social
workers with regard 10 the effect Of popular ause-
ments upon social conditions. Interested in the
associations attitude IN favor OF making Coney
Islands beach attractive and accessible. PROFESSOR
Patten spent days going over the island, from
It's charities 10 its city park. the wonders and
the surviving vulgarities~ For hours afternoon and
evening rs mingled with the thrOnEs OF sightseers
and the following morning went over every foot OF
the ground again
conviction that bathing paviIions, such as Borough
President Ltteton has promised 70 give. supple
rneuted by outlook paTilions, Fairgrounds for chill
dren and a boardwalk for ALL would not only at
tract 10 the island thousands who either can
not will visit that beach. but would entirely
revolutionze the reputation OF this particular re-
sort. He declared that the boardwalk az Atlantic
City saved its reputation. drove back from the
vulgarity and vice. stimulated wholesome
auusements and made possible the beautiful hotels
which now characterize that city Similar results
had been obtained at Asbury Park. Cape Nay and
other New-Jersey towns. Professor Patten prophe-
sled that the boardwalk az Coney Island would
stimulate once the building OF hotels for the
well TO do. well for the man OF moderate
means. who might run out over night. over sun
day or for a week-the classes who now avoided tho
island because It was either too expensive or too
cheap.
When this theory regarding thu boardwalk was
challenged Professor Iatteu declared that. al At
lantic City, for every person walking the beach
there would be found from 10 fifty walking
along the boardwalk People liked 20 look at one
another. they liked 10 look at the bathers without
being OF them. Lastly, people liked 10 walk with
the least possible eXertion. The shoes We wear,
more particularly wOmen's heels. were not fitted
for taking long walks on the beach.
Professor Patten expressed considerable enthusi-
asm after seeing Luna Park and Dreamland and
compared their crowds with the small numbers who
in the drinking halls Give the public
ments. and they will choose good amUsements
every time" he said. The crowds Atlantic
City I'VE times great to-day IN the days
Of disorder and vulEarity along the beach
Professor Patteu believes that n would be pref
cradle for the city 70 secure the right Of way and
build the walk, even though private owners would
themselves erect the walk. that the city may
control the use OF property adjoining the walk.
preventing. at Atlantic city. saloons and enter
prises OF questionable character from having direct
access to the beach.