New-York tribune., 1911-01-01
BROADWAY CROWDS HAIL
THE NEW YEARS BIRTH
Night of Noisy but Orderly
Merrymaking Crowds Eating
Places to Capacity.
POLICE SEIZE CONFETTI

Their Jobs Otherwise Sinecures
Football Tactics Barred
Joy Runs Riot from Trim
ity to Tenderloin.
Old Father Time and his three hundred
year-old son. Father Knickerbocker. Joined
hands on Broadway last night. and though
each OF them carried the burden of an
other year they romped like couple OF
kids Time, the elder, Strengthened his
dropping shoulders. threw the emblems Of
his dignity-the hourglass and the scythe--
over the Trinity churchyard fence, and
started the celebration by kicking of
Knickerbocker's lid. The conjurers had
been working for 3S5 slow. dragging days
to fill that old gentleman's hat with New
Years Eve enthusiasm. and IT ali came out
al once. and caught the crowds from the
Battery to Harlem. The Manhattan
branch Of the family simply roted over the
grave OF the dying year i'm an effort to be
in at the christening Of the newborn 1911.
The elegists Inc, far from the madding
among the distant commuters. The Broad
way procession set new record mark, ac-
cordng TO the oldest amblers along the
same old route in former years. II started
early. Long before theatre time groups
of noisy merrymakers. who had no Idea of
going inside to the shows, trooped along the
Great White Way blowing their horns.
dragging the deep-toned cowbels and
grinding their ear-splitting rattlers in a
voice Of warning Of what was TO come.
There was plenty Of room in the forward
cars at that time, but later, when the
theatres dIsgorged their packed houses and
the hour wore on toward midnight sub
way express in rush hours would be an
airy. fairy place compared with the COM
pressed humanity along Broadway.
The doorvays Of most any Of the brill
iantly lighted restaurants. where food and
drink were often sought in vain. unless a
table and round had been spoken for
congestion.
More Money Spent Than Ever.
Under prevailing conditions, however.
more food was eaten, more champagne alb
sorbed and more money spent than ever
before. It was said. And. with all. the
crowds were reasonably orderly II was hard
10 ruff'e the "dander" Of n Manhattanite
by pushing him. showing him, nrZ him
around and making him walk backward
for half block. after his experience with
the rapid transit system. He has become
used 10 the small Inconvenience Of a
crowd, and doesn't mind being Il ouffer.
That might have been reason for his
cood conduct last night.
But the police helped, too. They were
stationed al frequent intervals on Broad
way, from, Trinity Church 10 Times Square
and kept the crowds moving UP the west
side and down the east side Of the
thoroughfare. Though they carried 10
night sticks. they were armed with Inc
powe- of arrest, and strict orders to lay
the hand of the law promptly on any show
Of rowdyism.
The colegian form Of amusement known
as the flying wedge, the graver lockster
practsed by the inmates Of some state in
stitutions, and any other formations which
suggested football tactics were quickly
broken up by the police. Confetti and tick
lers were absolutely barred by the orders
from Headquarters. and very small stock
Of either was found In the crowd and ap-
propriated by the police
Traffic regulations were severely en-
forced at all the streets which cross Broad
way in the theatrical district, and no vehi-
cular traffic was allowed on lower Broad
way in the vicinity OF Trinity Church. The
Trinity chimes have been always strons
drawing card for the throngs on New
Years Eve. and one OF the largest crowds
gathered at that point last nigh.
The Chimes Of Trinity.
William e. Murray. jr., the regular
Trinity bell ringer. ofiiciated in the loft
He started tie chimes at l30 and played
for nearly an hour. Just at the witching
hour old rrinitys bells tolled Nearer. Ny
God TO Thee" and the crowd stood FOR a
few moments in reverential silende, only to
break out with greater din as the hands
Of the clock on the tower crept past tho
hour Of twelve
Mr.. Murray arranged and played the fol-
lowing programme:
"Silver Chimes" The Red, White and
Blue" Maryland Ny Maryland" Drink
70 Me only with Thine Eyes" THE Blue
Bells Of Scotland" MY Old Kentucky
Home" Hall. Columbia" Aud LanG
svne"; midnight. Nearer. Ny God 10
Thee" "Our Fathers God to Thee Abide
With Me" "Odeste Fidelis," "Oh. God, our
Help in Ages Past" Lead, Kindly Light,
and Home. Sweet Home
All the harbor craft Joined in with their
uhistles 10 welcome the new year and
church bells rang out their glad tdings OF
hope for better resolutions In all parts oi
,Ee city. Watch night meetings were in
order IN all of the churches from IL
O'Clock until 1911 was realization.
Miss Mary IT, Gillies played the Grace
church chimes from :i5 TO 1215 o'clock,
and fol! wed similar programme 10 that
al old Trinity. America" was chosen for
r.o midnight tune at Grace Church and at
81 Andrews Church. at Fifth avenue and
i97th street.
II was estimated that nearly one hundred
,housand men and women were at the
,ables at the various restaurants and hotels
when 1910 passed The addition of four big
nov restaurants since last New Year did
no, relieve the pressure at other places.
The eating places had all they could ac-
commodate. and more, too. Many of the
larger restaurants gave away handsome
souvenirs imported for the occasion.
At the Broadway Country Club, holding
as II does a strategic position in the heart
Of all festivals. at 42d street and Broadway.
a much replenished punch bowl under the
sign Of "Old King Cole did service from
early evening until closing hours.
The liquids flowed freely for those who
had the price. There was no disposition
on the part OF the city officials TO interfere
with anyones pleasure In extending what
ever kind Of greeting he chose, provided