New-York tribune., 1906-05-11
PREDICTS EARTHQUAKE HERE.
Minister Merry Sees Danger in New York
Skyscrapers.
From The Tribune Bureau.


Washington. May 1O.-one Of these days an
earthquake will come along and try conclusions
with New Yorl's skyscrapers, is the prediction
OF William L. Merry, United States Minister to
Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Salvador. Mr
Merry has lived eight and a half years right
in the hotbed of earthquakes and says ne knows
all about them. When an earthquake hits San
Jose. Costa Rica, where Nr Merry spends most
of the time. he lights another cigar looks COM
placently up at the corrugated iron ceiling OF
the one-stOry consulate. and thanks his stars
that he is not in town that boasts of a high
sky line
We have earthquakes at the rate of six or
seven month down in our part Of the world
said Minister Merry at the White House to-day
but no one is greatly worried over them. A
few Of the women folks generally run out into
the street and drop on their knees to pray but
in few minutes, when the tremors have sub
sided, back in the homes flirting again.
wouldn't be at all surprised TO see an earth
quake come along some day and strike New
York. Then the people of that city will regret
the fact that they have so many skyscrapers
1 do not believe that any building ought 10 be
erected that is over six stories in height. Sup
posing they are of steel frame construction
what of it? Some Of the buildings in San
Francisco sustained a drop of four feet in their
foundations. What chance would twenty-six
story building have that had one wall knocked
four feet into the earth? Why, il would tip
over. matter how many steel beams it
made Of Since the destruction of Martinique
there has been tremendous increase in seismic
disturbances all over the world. and it would
not surprise me if the Eastern seaboard of the
United States were visited. The regular chain
OF volcanic action extends north and south
under the Pacific coasts of North and South
America Now and then the pathway leaps
at right angles for some unaccountable reason,
demonstrated by the Charleston and
Missouri earthquakes. No seems to o be
able to tell where the next divergence is likely
to strike, If 1 were a resident OF of the
big cities boasting of skyscrapers 1 would feel
just little bit nervous
Minister Merry said that there is less revolu-
tiOnary trouble in South America now than has
been on tap for long period Of years.
Il ascribe the peaceful condition." said he,
Ito the advance Of education 1 was talking
Gently, and he told me that when he went there
fifteen years ago, not one man in ten who
tered his establishment was able to sign his
name. Now at least 90 per cent. of the men
he deals with are able to read and write. and
practically all the children are attending schools
on its schools. showing that be made by
very few governments in the world
Minister Merry goes TO San Francisco, his old
home, to discover the status Of his affairs. Be-
fore leaving the country for his post he disposed
Of a good deal of his property and deposited
the banks are safe as he has been informed by
letter, he viii still be in comfortable circum-
stances. IF, on the other hand, they de-
stroyed, he will be a poor man.