New-York tribune., 1907-10-11
CITY'S HIGHESTWORKER
JOB 671 FEET IN AIR.
Breathless Cro5gd Sees Steeplejack
Put Ball ON Singer Pole.

The highest point above the sidewalk at
tained by man outside of balloon in New York
was reached yesterday by Ernest Capelle. steeple-
jack, who placed the golden ball the top Of the
hagpoie that surmounts the Singer Building, in
lower Broadway. The ball is just Sn feet above
the trolley tracks, for the lantern at the base Of
the steel hagpole is 62 feet from the pavement and
the Flagstaff is hfty-nine feet long.
There wore crowds of spectators and at one time
II seemed as if traffic would be stopped. Half a
dozen policemen were needed TO keep things NOV
ing shortly after Capelle began his climb. at 1:SO
O'Clock in the afternoon But even at that the
portly member Of the traffic squad who reigns at
Cortlandt street and Broadway said the crowds
were not so large as those that gathered during
the days when the steel work OF the tower was
oelng put up. They're gettin used it" he
said. an all they want now is to see somebody
fall off" But this criticism seemed hardly ap-
pucable because the comments of those who
strained their in gazing skywarG were all of
anxious note.
It seemed that everybody do !:nroW1 hid heard
OF the spectacular climbing. and at noon all the
best places for seeing the pole occupied. -he
curtain raiser so 10 speak. occurred when first
man and few minutes later a second Skinned up
the pole by the aid Of the "stirrup' and boat
swains chair" \ hush fell on the spectators
The men went up about half way. and after
swinging around a BIT slid down again and disap-
peared. For a time the throng that lined Broad
way with upturned faces like participants in some
sun-w -worshipping rite thought the steepejack had
lost his nerve" AS matter Of fact. the two
climbers were ironworkers sent up to straighten
the steel shaft that had been bent in the process
Of being swung into position
II was not until 130 when Capele a compact
wiry little man. dressed in we'll pressed clothes
appeared among the ironwOrkers busted about the
dome, who, in their blue overalls looked the part.
Capelle took of his coat. flannel waistcoat and
derby. II all matter of mere business and
as he remarked in reply 10 a question By a cub
reporter Afraid Why. it's better-or worse
to fan off little country church steepe than II
is 10 fall off this pole"
Tho boa oatswain's chair was rigRed auicklv and
Capele, with the ball. which is a foot IN diameter
slung under HIS arm, began TO make his way up
the pole. 'hitchnG" along two feet at 4 time.
Somebody in the Broadway crowd tried 10 start
a cheer. hut really It wasn't as effective as a
Barnard class yell.
Meanwhile Capelle got TO the top and cIamped
the ball In place. From the street he appeared a
giant. providing the onlooker recoected the height
Of the building and the effect Of perspective Some
how his position in silhouette against the armament
made him prominent out OF all proportion TO the
building.
With the ball once in place. the crowd saw him
puttering about the top he lay back in the rope
sling that held him. He putting the gold leaf
the ball. but this not evident until he had
finished and slipped down a few feet
tapelle then threw out flag that luttered away
in the breeze and finally swooped down on a slant
Of wind until It struck Broadway. If Capele had
fighting for bits OF the flag. But he paid no heed
TO tho earth crawling souvenir hunters and busted
himself by hoistng up THE flag hallards. which he
attached TO the pole. Then pail OF paint was
sent up 10 him. and he began the work OF coating
the steel shaft BY this time he being watched
by persons within radius Of hve miles, but he
went at his work as calmly as any man painting
fence. The 'job." as he prosacally terms it, will
continue to-day and probably tomorrow.
At Saturday Capelle's work will be fin
hen "A flag feet nd
u feet wide. will be broken from the pole.
Immediately afterwnrd a hag with the
Singer will be flung loose. Besides this a time
ball will be dropped from the pole every hours
Of the twenty-four and will be illuminated at night.
This. however. Will not occur until the building Is
ready for occupancy next spring.
The Tribune reporter had tried 10 find out how
much CapeIe getting for his neck-risking job.
The Singer press agent said: Il know It's been
said he's getting 1900 but I've been asked the
question dozen times and I'm not allowed 10
answer" Capelle dismissed It by saying ne wasn't
giving away trade secrets"