New-York tribune., 1909-09-13
FIFTH AVENUE TORN UP
QUICK WORK NECESSARY.
Distractions May Interfere ,cith
Hudson-FuLton Parades.

Unless there IL lively work BY the city in its
task OF widening Fifth avenue and repairing and
laying electric condults there. the big psrsdes that
are 70 go down that thoroughfane IN the Hudson
Fulton celebration on September e and 90 and
Octo5e- viii have 20 traverse narrow spaces.
avoid sand heaps and piles OF brick and dodge other
debris. The many thousands who VIII line Fifth
avenue 70 view this parade viii have 70 be es-
pscslly cautious. the pitfalls AL along the way
are nUrerous and not especially well guarded The
hurry-up work necessary 70 make the great parade
course safe and presentahIe may begin to-day. but
there IS little evidence Of it in sight
On eighteen blocks from 2sth street 70 Central
Park. slice is being cut of the sidewalks to
widen The avenue. and for ten blocks. from 4sth
70 18th streets. on the east side OF Fifth avenue.
employees of the Department OF Water. Gas and
Electricity have ripped I'd the asphalt and dug
otclles and trenches % get at the electric con-
ouits This latter work was begun ~ 5sth street
and there IS some sign there Of completion OF the
JOB but there is litter OF stun on the walk still
70 be taken away, and ths opening at Inc corner
has not been completely closed
4 BIRDS eye view OF Fifth avenue shows thor
oughfsre that bears the appearance Of new street
IA new town. with sewer buil5'ug and sidewalk
laying in full progress. The beautiful cleanliness
almost synonymous with the avenue is lacking. As
= show place for the millions who will visit the
city during the celebration the thoroughfare viii
bs q disappointment unless the cleanup takes
place
clipped sidewalks and conduit bitches will not hold
back the pressing throngs There are new build-
ings going I'd with sheds the sidewalks. and
the latter are 50 narrow that more than three rer-
sons cannot go abreast
DANGERS or EXCAYATIoN.
Where the sidewalks are being cut tho debris IN
nam, plsces nsrrows the walk that congestion
e liely 10 force persons aside into danger unless
strong guards are erected. On the northwest cor
rsr ~ lsd street is an excavation. 30 feet on fth
avenue and 10 feet 4sd street protected WIN
loose beams on crOsEpieess that would not Dear te
pressing Of crowd.
In front of gherrys a contractor, engaged py ul7
restaurant man 10 protect The cellar underneath N
she vrorp Of narrowing the sidewalk. has his work
nearly cornpleteI. When he is done the city VIII
have 70 fnirh the Job There is not SO much 70 do.
but II il is not done before the days OF the parades
81 viii add ~ ths dangers of a place where the
congestion viii be particularly great. owing TO 'he
neaEfss OF the great court and the commissioners
stand AZ E2d street.
The contractor has built a shed over the trench
IN the walk and several signs warn persons against
climbing upon il. There are other sheds or q
similar kind along the avenue, but they are as
gule more substantial II is safe 70 say thar The
small boy will md his way on them despite al the
warnings that may be given or displayed.
The route OF the parades viii be from 10th street
ana Central PARK West. 20 18th street, east 70
Fifth avenue and ,IoWn IL 70 Washington Square
uruslly the least obstructed thoroughfares in the
city. Were II not that unusual crowds will be I'm
The city 70 see all the attractions incident 20 the
IudsOn-Futon celebration there could be little ap-