The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-02
TYTOUR FOR RAILROAD MEN
FOREIGNERS LIKE MANY THINGS,
BUT NOT OUR STREETS.

acknowledgment iekeu Iuem TOT
nun Around Manhattan Island.
DeleRates TO tho International Railway
Congress, which meets In Washington to-
morrow, spent q strenuous day here yester-
day getting points on the oity's transPorta-
ton facilities. There were ais Of them
and they were under the guidance Of W. q.
| Besler Of the Central Railroad Of New
Jersey: H. II. Vreeland, head Of the Metro
| politan Street Railway system; Frederick
| II. Meeder Of the New York Central, Frank
Hedley, general manager OF the Inter
! borough; d. W. Cooke Of the Erie, Louis
]. Ford Of the Pennsylvania, II. II. smith
Of the New York Central and other railroad
men.
Among the delegates were representa-
tiyes Of practically every European rail-
way as well az roads in Australia, Japan,
New Zealand, India and South America.
Mr.. Besler, who is president Of the CON
gress: Mr.. Meeder, who Is secretary; Mr..
Vreeland and Mr. Hedley desired to give
the visitors all that il was possible to crowd
into one day. The Sightseeing tour started
at O'Clock yesterday morning from the
Transport alton Club in East Forty second
street The delegates we're escorted INST
to the Grand Central Station, where ], A.
Mccormick, general manager OF the statloni
r. f. Slater, the superintendent, and J. W.
Stevens, the station master, took charge
Of the visitors and showed them from cellar
to roof. The delegates showed most
interest In the way crowds are handed
and in the work now going on 70 enlarge
tho old terminal.
special subway express train for a ride
TO the LenoX avenue terminus and repair
shops. Few Of them had been In the sub
way before and when the express pulled
out Of the station and went whizzing up the
tube like a shot out Of gun they drew long
breaths. The ride to the yards was made
without a stop and at the end General
Manager Hedley was overwhelmed with
compliments on the magnihcence OF the
underground line.
In regard 10 the subway, as well as most
other things that were inspected, the dele
gates did not indulge In many adjectves.
Their interest was not for the spectacular
features. They were more absorbed In
matters dealing with power. cost Of opera
ton and the like. Most OF them, In fact,
said they had been too busy TO collect any
impression Of New York asa whole or TO
become amazed about skyscrapers OF sky
lines. They we're practically unanimous
on one matter. They didn't think New
Nofks streets well kept OF at all Creditable
TO a city Of such size and wealth. George
Anderson, who is the representative Of his
MAjesty's Government Of India TO the Con
gress had some things to say about the
streets, particularly those Of the business
sections
Frankly said Mr.. Anderson, Il was
disappointed. The streets Of New York
are the streets of London fifty years ago,
Downtown one has ones backbone Jared
into ones neck by travelling over the fright
full cobblestones and humping over the
Tlts and worn out places New York Is
so superior 10 other large cities in most
IL ~ rVaNTV Inn IA
medieval streets are quite astonishing
They ara not clean. / understand that
you spend a great deal Of money on their
care, but confess 1t does not show
MIR. Anderson said that he was not greatly
impressed by the tall buildings. Really
said he, with a pull at his dropping mus
taohes, there Is nothing extraordinary
about them after all. II one can build
ten stories, why not thirty?
However, though l understand that
you, Americans Ike to be patted on the
back, you have a great deal TO teach as
we'll a. 20 learn ] think this study we
are making Of your swift travelling in the
air, on the fat and underground will be
OF much benefit TO those OF us that come
from abroad Some OF your ideas are 30
revolutionary that they could not be used
by us without adaptation, particularly in
such countries as my own, where people
are slow to adopt new things
Mr.. ID. b. Courier Of the Natal Govern
ment Halfway was properly impressed Dy
the tall buildings. They fairly take ones
breath away said he. Nothing In the
world can beat your elevators, Down
our way we have lifts, but no elevator
boys. Everybody Is supposed to be his
own conductor.
but your streets said he, they are
fearful. Even In our little Natal we wouldn't
endure such conditions. However, ! will
say that there are no nobler pieces Of land
ecape gardening in the world than Central
Park and Riverside Drive. My colleagues
are delighted with them
The delegates Inspected the lnterborough
poWer station at Ninety-sixth street and
we're then taken 10 the City Hall subway
station at leisurely gait. Then they were
hauled back 20 Thirty-third street and vent
in yellow automobiles 20 the Long Island
ferry station. Across the river the tunnel
work of the PENNSYLVANIA Railroad was in
spected. The Long Island Railroad gave
the delegates the use Of a feTryboat, the
Sa Klnnw, and they took It for a run around
the Battery and up the North River. A long
stop was made at Grants Tomb and the
Under the lead Of Mr.. Hedley they went
next TO the gigantic power house Of the Inter
borough at Fnty-ninth street and Flew
enth avenue, landing at the freight dock Of
the New York Central. Mr.. Hedley eN-
planned the working Of the system and
pointed out with especial pride the great
dynamos, dozen Of them, 1900 horsepower
- ~ Ia Il, The swnrtd