Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-08-09
SIGHTS IN new YORK
Ben Bear Writes Unusually Inter-
esting Letter From
Metropolis.
Changes on Fifth Avenue, TaXi-cab
Graft, New Electric Cars, and
Other Things of
Interest.
Edgemere, by the Sea, Long Island,
August 9Th, 1911.

August 9Th, 1911.
Dear Public Opinion
For once in my SO years of coming
to this market | have found the
weather such that it makes life en-
joyable-right in the heart of the
city-and instead of people rushing
to the sea shores, find great many
more in the city than in former
years. Indeed, on Friday while 60
ing down Broadway l noticed quite
great many people lining the side
walks, mostly residents waiting to
see famous little Admiral Togo pass
on his way to the city hall to visit
Mayor Gaynor. | was among the
fortunate ones to see him pass in an
auto, dressed in his white military
uniform, with mounted police all
around him, and one would have
thought he was an American hero,
the way the crowds cheered him. |
was quite interested in seeing this
man, of whom all of us have heard
so much about during the Russian
Japanese war, and it seems wonder
full the accomplishments OF such a
ilttlc dS uc 10 Ouly dDOuI . lccI
inches tall.
New York always presents its
many wonders to me each time |
arrive. New handsome buildings are
being put up everywhere, and what
few years ago seemed way up town,
is today almost the heart of the city.
The New York Central railroad is
fast completing it's new terminal,
though it will yet take one more year
and many think this new depot will
outshine the handsome structure of
the Pennsylvania. Great big blocks
are being put up everywhere, and
there is some talk of a 100 story
building being put up in the near
future in one of the prominent fin
ancial districts down town.
One of the recent CRAFTS which
have come to light is the matter of
rentals being charged by prominent
hotels to owners of taXi-cabs, which
stand in front of their hotels 1t is
claimed the Waldorf Astoria hotel
has received $4,000 annually for
this privilege. The Knickerbocker
hotel has received $4,000 and other
hotels, not quite so prominent as
these, have received anywhere from
$4,000 to $4,000 for this privilege.
OF course, the streets belong to the
city, and if any money is paid for
this privilege the city should get it.
1t is estimated that a total of over
100000 has been collected from
taxi-cab owners by proprletors of
New York hotels and clubs.
Another important change which
is going on here is the changing of
Fifth avenue from a fine residence
street into a prominent business
street. Where formerly the -Four
Hundred of New York were living
in fine brown stone houses, all these
dwellings are being torn down, and
new business structures are put up
in their places This is true as far
up town as 59th street. and it is
even talked of that business in 18th
avenue will be affected, and that the
exclusive set Of New York will be
obliged to seek quarters in villas"
beyond the city limits, in New Jer-
sey and Long Island.
Something that particularly at
tracted my attention upon my arrival
here this time was the new Edison
electric cars that are being installed
in the cross town sections. 1t is said
that Mr.. Edison worked on this cleo
trio device for 10 years and has now
about completed the new system, so
that cars are now running, contain
ing their own power, by powerful
storage batteries, without the neces-
sity of cables, electric rails or any
thing else. This changes the former
complicated system and will do away
with the great power houses that
now must be located in particular
sections. Such a system would work
fine, and could be made possible be-
tween Calmar and DEBORAH, and
would not involve a great expendit-
ure of money, as in the case Of the
regular railroad trains.
l am writing these few lines to
you on the veranda of the Lorraine"
at Edgemere by the Sea, where
came this Saturday afternoon; look
ing out upon the ocean, where / can
see the big ocean liners, coming and
going, and at the same time watch
ing the bathers, and also seeing the
stylish summer attire of those on
the board walks. This is seaside
summer resort of some note, and ]
am informed by people here, during
the intense hot spell about a month
ago in New York, where so many
hundreds were overcome by the heat
each day, it was just as cool as it is
now, and you can rely upon it that
the breeZes at present are pretty
cooling; that is one advantage the
New Workers have in being able to
get away from the heat.
/ try to get to COney Island every
summer, and in my trip out there
this time | missed the Dreamland
Park, which was destroyed by fire
the first part of the season. / was
very much impressed, however, on
finding that the city had erected
new Bath Pavilion" which was
just opened a few days ago. This
immense bathing place is open to
the public and accommodates thou
sands of people, and is what has
been needed for many years, as pri-
vate pavilions have become quite ex-
pensive and out of reach of the gen.
eral masses, so that this new feature
is welcome one to the general pub
lie.