The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-28

NEW YORK, July I-New York
with its debt limit reached, now finds
itself confronted by the unpleasant
necessity Of raising $,S000O0 or else
seeing its famous Central Park re.
duced to 4 dust heap, Nearly twen-
" years ago the importance Of this
problem was brought to light and dis.
regarded. Since then matters have
been getting more and more serious
until today the city finds itself in dan
ger OF losing its greatest spot OF ma.
tural beauty, as we'll as its greatest
breathing spot For years it has been
increasingly difficult to continue the
growth OF trees, shrubs, flowers and
grass. Not in forty nine years, that
is since 1882 has the soil been re-
newed or adequately treated. As a
result il has just about come to the
point where all vegetation is due to
disappear, So long has all considcra-
ton OF this matter been sidctracked
that nothing short OF heroic treat
ment can keep this wonderful park
from degenerating into an eyesore
bare Of all vegetation. Ordinary me
thods will not now suffice to save it,
experts assert, the soil being too far
impoverished. Treatment never be-
fore undertaken will have to be re-
sorted to, for so exhausted is the soil
at present that practically nothing
could be raised on it. This in itself
is serious enough but in addition
there is the question as to the manner
in which Father Knickerbocker is TO
raise the money necessary to save
his park. With his borrowing capa-
city exhausted the problem is ex-
tremely serious Indeed real estate
men who have prophesied that sooner
or later the park would cut up into
building lots see in the present sit
uation the likelihood OF an early full
fillment OF their prophesy.
Poor Hetty Green is now raaping
the financial whirlwind. Her brief
sojourn in one OF New York's most
expensive hotels has gotten in its in
quitious work and undermined the fl
nancial training OF years. For now,
alas, Hetty-America's wealthiest wo-
man actually gives tips and that to
the astonishing mount OF four dollars
a week. 1t is even whispered that
she now spends nearly thousandth
part Of her income In two brief
months she has thrown aside the eco
nomy OF years. On the first OF May
she was living in $l9 a month fiat
in Hoboken, with all other expenses
limited to SO a week Four weeks |
later the money spending madness
having seized her she was installed
II a $3.50 a month suite in metropo
itan hotel where meals cost ten dol
ars day. So severe strain was
his on an income of couple OF mil
ions a year, and the largest cash bal
ince in New York, that she has re-
moved to a Madison Avenue board |
ng house. But the weeks Of expen
i've life are now claiming their due,
or it is stated that in her present
her excuses for her dog,
Ter daughter and herself average
orty dollars week. And the wo-
nan who was never known to tip TN
il her flight into exclusive metropo-
itan hotel life, is now, it is stated,
giving thirty cents day to her wal
er, and as much more to others who
erve her 1t is now announced how
:ver that she is to retire to her Yer
mont home where her expenses will
oe only $40 a week. Thus has the
mister influence OF New York ruined
he good principles Of one more wor
.er, and now that the scandal OF her
ipping habit has loaded out her ac- I
luaintances fear that the woman
whose income is several thousand
lollars day may yet throw all prt-
lence to the wind and hire a cab
ONE rainy morning.
Just what New Yorks canine and
cline population amounts to has long