New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
GRE.ITNESS OF BROOKLYN
Some Figures and Facts Which HW
Surprise Ndny.

When the Oldest inhabitant wishes to impress
an unreasonable visitor to the --mercan me-
tropolis with the immensty Of New York City,
one Of the things he tells him is that the geo
graphical centre Of the city is several miles cast
If Manhattan on The western end Of Long
Island, and not in New York County at all.
For the Manhattanite whose habit OF mind las
become fixed it is difficult to realize that his
light little island is not the centre Of all things
connected with the city. The results Of the last
tlection viii jolt the Manhattanite with ,his
REV Of things, for the political and financial
tontrol Of the city for four years at least VIII
elso centre on the western end Of Long Island
bstcad Of Manhattan. Brooklyn has half the
votes in the new Board Of Estimate and Ap-
povtionment, being represented by the Mayor
tud Controller rs well as the President of that
borough. This fact has served to draw atten-
lion to Brooklyn and lis place in the city lie.
Brooklyn has also attracted the public eye 70
bself by its place in polar exploration. The
eome of Dr. Cook. for a short time the home OF
Commander Peary, and The abiding place Of
Herbert l. Brids an and Anthony Fiala, il
may well claim 10 house he spirit of adventure.
Tie public eye last week was turned once
ssain toward Brooklyn. At last ;hat borough
Is TO have subway OF its own on Tuesday
tho contracts were signed FOR the construction
Of an underground railroad from the Manhattan
Bridge along Fourth avenue TO l3rd street Bay
Ridge distance of approximately four miles
bt cost OF S1J.SSG3S1.
II view Of The prominence which Brooklyn is
staining a few facts about that borough are Of
special interest
Although borough Of ;he second greatest city
IN ;he world. i'm reality it ranks itself with the
Ere-t cities. With area Of siXty-six SQUARE
mills ana a population estimated to he
1.49-"7". ON january 1, 19o9 it Is exceeded in
are in The United states outside Of New Yo.k
City by none except New Orleans Chicago and
philadelphia. Among he metropolisos of the
Wor'l t Is exceeded i'm population only by on
don Paris. Manhattan. Toi5io Berlin. Chicago.
Vienna. canton P'kinS ana st. Petersburg. It's
ae~'~-e5 wealth IS SI4lN312.9n7. an amount
greatsr -5an that OF any other community in
tn CHts3 States except Manhattan and ,hi-
Gag. In The Fast twenty years tie assessed vel
uati'H of 1872. .ll-n property has increased III
per cent.
If Peary cor Cook should thread every one Of
its streets from eud To- end Ie would travel dis
tar,e - Ter cont greater than he iourn, ycd i'm
rros~H- tlo seq of The Arctic regions from land
10 tEe Iolo and back again. Placed end 10 end.
he su,et- would extend $40 miles. or halfway
scr"ss lhe continent. In these streets are laid
6IG'- miles "f double track for the usc of the
sUri.se and c'ef ated lines. Brooklyn's boule-
vard system includes twenty -four Iarkvays
having total !eneth If more than forty-fye
miles They represent an expenditure Of more
than Sl3t@Ho"o Three great suspension
srids's and tunnel have been built in recent
years 10 connect Brooklyn and Manhattan, at
AZ cyp'ree of approximately S7J0O0OO0
While considerable area is given up To the
rreets, Brooklyn has plenty of space left for
parks as indicated by the fact that there are
oren areas for the enjoyment of the people
totallins l."iN acres and valued at more than
B@"h"n Prospect Park, Jl6 acres in extent
Is one "l the well known parks Of the world
eoins especially noted for its fine trees II con-