Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-05-29
new YORK CHAT.
~ 49, .t "a.
Ba||ooning Is Newest Sport
Of the -Four Hundred.
City is Home Of Worlds Gfeat-
est Property Holdings.
Women Will Devote 500 Years TO
Bridge During Summer.

4>CN vi n, .Nldy htAt tiio Wy
is the home of the greatest property
holdings which the world has ever
known, and that the whole 1926 square
miles of its area, with a valuation
which makes the national debt seem
trifling in comparison, is held by less
than two per cent. Of the population,
are only few of the astonishing facts
made known by official figures just
compiled. According to these figures
ttt assessed valuation of the taxable
property in New York IS now almost
seven billion dollars. $4,000, 100000 being
the exact figure given. The actual
sale value, however, is probably more
than twice this amount or about one
tenth of the estimated wealth of the
whole United States. AS an indica-
ton of the great value placed on real
estate here, the figures show. that two
thirds of the taxable property in this
city consist of land. Less than 100000
persons, or one-fifth Of the city's popu
lation, own not only every particle of
this land, but all the other taxable
property included in the report as well.
Taking the actual value of the land
as 100000 100000 this means that the
property owners in this city hold on
the average 100000 worth of real es-
tate each. On this basis the average
value of the ground alone through
out the entire city is $31,O00,O00
square mile OF $4,000 an acre. This Of
course is only an average since in
some parts of the city an acre of
ground amounts to many millions
The average value of property not in
Guiding the land itself is $4,000 an
acre so that each member Of the Sc
lect 100000 constituting two per cent.
of the whole number who own
all New York has on an average $780,
900 worth of property. The other A.
100000 of the city's population are
merely tenants.
Automobiles. steam yachts, monkey
and dog dinners, and all the other pet
diversions of the Four Hundred will
now have to take back seat, for So
ciety has new pastime; that is bal
looming. Nothing that has to do with
mere earth is now entirely correct,
and the haste with which all New
Workers who can afford to do so have
taken up air voyaging is the very
strongest indication of the manner in
which the first practical air ship Will
supplant all other means of travel, just
as the auto has largely supplanted the
horse. An ordinary balloon costs a
mere tribe of $4,000 and the expense
of each ascension amounts to at least
500. In spite of this, however, many
New Workers are preparing to qualify
as air pilots and the balloon colony
1,,n n
the clouds was given short time ago,
and now Clifford r. Harmon, one OF
the city's most enthusiastic aeronauts,
has inuagurated new diversion ny
making ascensiOns at night. Curious
iy enough while this city has plenty
of enthusiastic balloonists their ascen-
siolls are practically all made from
distant points, western New England
ing the favorite ground. This OF
course is due to the fact that this city
is seaport as result of which any
balloon ascending here might be car
ried out to sea. But the popularity OF
the new sport is shown by the fact
that New Workers are purchasing bal
looms although they have to travel
hundreds of miles whenever an ascent
is to be made. So far not casualty
has been reported.
If things keep on as they are going
at present, New York will soon be OBJ
serving more blue laws than any other
community in the country-past or
present Father KnickerbOCker in
deed seems to be bent on return to
ancient customs. Not only has Coney
Island been wiped off the amusement
map on Sundays in spite of howls OF
grief from the public, but now this
city, or at .eaSt part of it, is to have
a curfew bell. Hereafter Harlem. "
ing above One Hundred and twenty
fifth street, will be warned by the
ringing of the curfew that it is time
for all good citizens to be at home. 1t
has beer a good many years since the
curfeW has been rung here and II the
revival of the custom should ultimate
" spread to Broadway there is nc
telling what might happen. At pres
ent. however. it will only apply to Har-
lem where an historic bell will revive
the ancient custom. The bell was
used many years ago to ring. the cur
few, when, before the perfection of the
present fire alarm system a fireman
was kept constantly on duty not only
to give the bedtime signal but also
| to sound the bell as an alarm IN case
of confiagraton. Long after the
custom of using the bell in this con-
nection had been supplanted by the
| present system. fireman was still de
tailed to ring the curfew. Years age
| however the fire department objected
strenuously to furnishing man to
ring the bell and as no other arrange
ment was made the custom became
back number. Now, however, is is te
| revived, but in place OF human
ringer the bell will be operated by
electricity. But although the method
is new the custom is old. and Harlem.
| ties will be expected to make them
selves iuconsricuous hereafter wher
curfew rings-that is unless someone
can be found to stop it.
This city, it is now estimated. viii
| devote 500 feminine years to playing
| bridge during the next six months
| Feminine hours. of course, contain JUS