New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-08
BIC STORM BREAKS Up
QUEENS CELEBRATION
Crowd Around Speakers Stand
in Bridge Plaza ScurrIes to
Shelter from Rain.
NEW FLAG is UNFURlED
E. E. Mccall Says Steinway
Tunnel Will Be Running by
October-Mitchel a Guest
at the Ceremonies.

A thunderstorm. preceded by high
wind. brought to a sudden end yester-
day Queens's rapid transit celebration
A new borough flag, which had just
been hoisted i'm the plaza of the
greensboro Bridge, Long Island City
received a terrific baptism Of fire and
water.
Following a luncheon in the Chamber
Of Commerce. crowds adjourned TO the
open plaza. where a speakers stand
had been erected. The plaza was gay
with decorations Several thousani
persons crowded the place. and as the
ceremonies began heavy black clouds
piled up I'm the west.
G. Rowland Leavitt. chairman Of the
celebration. presented the flag. which
was accepted by President Maurice +.
Connolly on behalf OF the borough.
Both cut their remarks short. and Ed
ward r. Mccall. chairman If the Pub
!ic Service Commission. arose to make
an official announcement in regard TO
the opening of the Steinway tunnel.
CHANGING at the gathering storm Mr..
Mccall had only just begun to speak,
when down came the rain.
An immense cloud Of dust swept over
the plaza. and as it passed rain began
10 fall. while lightning play was all
but continuous. From its tall pole the
blue and white flag Of Queens snapped
IN the gallo. while the throng In the
plaza darted in all directions for shell
ter.
The guests and speakers adjourned
hastily 10 the corridor Of the Queens
Plaza Court building. where the pro-
grammo was continued.
An automobile parade over the rapid
transit routes. I'm which an inspection
was made of the work now under way
in Second avenue, Astoria, and In
Roosevelt avenue. Woodside. opened
the celebration. This was followed by
the luncheon.
When the exercises began on the
bridge plaza Mr.. Leavitt announced
that in commemoration Of the occasion
Borough President Connolly had pre-
pared a new borough flag. and al a
signal the flag was broken from hal
Yards on the tall staff. formerly the
mast Of one OF the yachts Shamrock.
which had been presented 10 New
York City by Sir Thomas Upton. As
the flag stood out in the stiff breeze
that was blowing and It's neat design
was seen for the first time, there was
loud cheering.
Mr.. Mccall In his speech said that
the legal test of the title TO the Stein
way tunnel was going on. and would
require ten or fifteen days to complete.
This will be followed by the record
ing OF the deeds of cession which Will
vest title with the city. Then Will
come the preparation Of the contracts
for operation, and a conservative est-
mate based upon statements OF our
engineers is that the operation ought
actually to commence not later than
next October. and upon that date resi-
dents Of Queens can commence riding
through this tunnel TO Manhattan
John Purroy Mitchell the new Col
lector OF the Port OF New York. was
among the guests. who included Cyrus
g. Miller. President OF The Bronx;
Public Service Commissioners c. V. 5.
Williams and Milo f. Maltbie. former
Public Service Commissioners William
r. Wilcox and William McCarroll. +.
Hagaman Hall. who designed the new
Queens flag: c. G.. NJ. Thomas and
William O. Wood.