The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-10-26

New York. Oct. 2S.-For the first
time in history figures have just been
made public here covering the value
and extent OF the real estate holdings
in this city of the country's greatest
family Of Iandowners--the Astors, de-
scendants OF the original John Jacob
Astor, who arrived in this country
from Germany in 1884 without cent
and Immediately began the accumula-
ton Of the enormous present day
property While many guesses havc
been made concerning its size there
has never before been any authentic
compilation. The new figures show
that the present land holdings In this
city OF the three Astors--William Wal
dorf. John Jacob and William-total
almost 700 separate parcels and are
taxed on a valuation Of 100000.
AS this valuation is probably no more
than so per cent of the price which
the properties would bring at public
or private sale, the total value Of these
enormous holdings would doubtless
reach $15O,O00.000.
Almost as surprising as the magni-
tude and value of the properties is
tion OF the city Is represented and in
nearly every case by the choicest prop
critics. Indeed in many sections
stone thrown at random would almost
certainly land on piece Of Aston real
estate. The manner in which this
great fortune has been built up Is
shown by the fact that one of the
properties known as the old Samler
farm which was purchased for about
$4,000 soon after 1900 is now worth
about sS,0O0,00 Incidentally the Az
tor holdings include about $40, 0O0, 900
worth OF hotels among which are FIVE
OF the largest in the country.
New York is quietly chucking over
the protest which one local magazine
has filed against the order under which
1t is carried as freight, while another
Of similar character goes by the rega-
| lar fast express mail service. Also 1t
Is watching to see just what may
break loose, for though the situation
has yet to develop 1t is taken by some
| to be significant that the favored pub
LEGATION numbers among Its editors a
! former president of this country. while
the other has not infreQuently indulg
| ed in criticism OF the administration.
Several other publications that have
i been barred from the regular mail
service are preparing to bring action
as soon as the result in the present
case is made known. Although among
open-minded persons there is no tend
ency TO charge the postmaster general
with favoritism it is unfortunate for
him that personalities and politics
| should be dragged into the matter. In
cidentally 1t Is one Of the many prob
lens which congress will be called up
on to unravel this winter in connec-
ton with the conduct OF the mail SER
vice. The railroads too are clamor-
ing for a readjustment of their remun-
GRAFTON for carrying the mails, back
ing their pleas with the admission OF
the postmaster general that many of
them are underpaid and citing the
fact that the amount which they now
receive is less than in former years
in spite of the large increase of mail
carried. The question Of second
mail is also likely to be heard from
and altogether the whole question of
postal service is likely to be produc-
tive OF many interesting developments
when it comes before the net congress.
The record Of the thief who actual
Ily succeeded in stealing the big three
/ hundred pound clock from the old
Fifth Avenue hotel In broad daylight
as wen as the equally remarkable feat
Of the suspect who relieved a precinct
police station Of it's stove In which a
fire was burning at the time must now
take back seat. Both OF these ev-
ents are matter of record but neither
of them can compare with the hand
work OF four Italians who have just
been arrested for stealing a three
story frame house To get away with
a structure OF that size would seem to
lie monumental undertaking, but
/ that 1t has been done Is attested by
the owner who on returning to it this
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