The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-01
Stray Topics Fron, Nst0 York

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 New York, Feb. 2s.--New York Is to have the largest concrete bridge span in the world, when the proposed Hen 'ry Hudson memorial bridge over Spuy- ten DuyvH Creek is completed. The central span of that structure Is to be 7os feet in the clear. In steel there exists s longer arch. that of the up-a per Niagara span which measures $40 feet. The nearest approach in con- crete bridge to the Henry Hudson span. is the Grunwald structure at Munich with span of 2s0 feet. This new bridge is also Interesting from another standpoint. as it will be the link that win connect Manhattan with the main land. If 1t were not for the small Spuyten Duyvil Creek Manhattan would not be an island. The cost of the structure will be colse to s4,- 100000.
 While the fight goes on in many sec tions of the country against the smok reveal the fact that ''coffin tacks" are increasing fin popularity In New York. while pipes and cigars are on the wane. One reason advanced for this IS the greater convenience of the cigarette. IL has been noticed also that at al number of fashionable stag dinners this winter. that cigarettes have been very popular. A few years ago. 1t was customary at these dinners to give out few cigars. and lay a cigarette at each plate But 1t is now the practice to give an entire box of cigarettes Co each person. the entire contents of which is smoked between the differ ent courses.
 The thousands of men and women who fight for places in the subway trains every night, during the rush hours, have realized that the strug- gle resembled a fierce foot bah game, but 1t remained for Dr. Welzmiiler. physical director of the West Side f.A M. C. A., to tell them that hanging on to a strap, with only space enough 60 stand on one foot was next to taking a regular course In q gymnasium. pr. welzmiiler explained carefully that t all depended on the point Of view that one took of the matter. In short. # one is to get real gyfnnastic exercise for half an hour he must be an opti- mist. He must forget that he Is In the subway, must forget that safnecne is constantly stepping on his toes or jabbing him In the ribs, and hang on to the strap first with the right hand and then the left. Tn this way men and women. according to the doctor. will find the ride pleasant, and set saf- hcient exercise. not only to keep them in condition, but make them enjoy their dinner when they get home.
 
 Close upon the heels Of pr. Weiz- millerss subway-gymnaSium echeme, has come the report from London that 1t fs proposed there to run separate cars for women only, during the rush hours so that they may not have 70 fight for places with men ahd boys. The same scheme has been proposed in New York. but st is probable that the result of tho exper1saent in Londan will be watched, and 1t worked satfHfactor- fly 1t may be tried on Manhaftanites.
 New York went to the extremes in fires last week, when a stnau blaze occurred on the fortieth floor of the new Singer building, and ct the same timc a car in the subway caught fire. The fire in the Singer building was not serious, but 1t establish the record for the highest fire Gotham ever he'd. If was a sight to see while it lasted. and had 1t been more serious, tt would have been splendid test for New Yorlxss Fire Department in dealing with the lofty sky scrapers. The sub- way fire was not serious either, and no one was hurt. but the car was run while it was ablaze; from Worth street to City Hall. where the flames were extinguished.
 An Irishman from County Clare who had been in this country but a week was arrested a few days ago in New York, because he tried to uaatl some letters in fire alarm box. He was stiIl trying to mail them. In spite or the buzzing of the cloclSwork inside, when the hook and ladder arrived. The man from County Clare was dis charged in court the following morn ing, when the magistrate, with twinkle in his eye said, Was that box green?"
 go. but 1t oushter been." said the man from County Clare.
 The recent revival of Lord Dun dreary." by E. H. Southern, son of the famous actor who created that charac- ter fifty years ago in the famous play that swept the country entitled Our American Cousin" has proved in- mensely interesting to New York's theatre-goers The play had not been