The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-09
By FRANK kOESTER,
Author OF "Modern city Planning
and NRintennncr.''

TIME absence of spirit and buoy
ancy in New York holiday
Il crowds has often been COM
mented on. especially by visitors
from abroad and returning tourists who
have seen the German and French ho,i-
day makers and even the sobered Eng
lish crowds.
1t Is worth while to end avor to find
out the reasons for such dulness and
10 see whether or not the enjoyment of
holiday makers may not be added to.
The city administration prepared a
supposedly fitting celebration for the
Fourth of July just past. But the add
minlstratiOn reckoned without its host
The crowd failed to enthuse, In fact
even to show up. and the city officials
spoke to empty benches. and benches
too, that cost good city money to put
up. Not only did the public fail to APP
preciate the benches and the speeches
of the city officials on city affairs but
there were not even any curious crow DIS
gathered around, and in the evening the
extensive electric lighting display at the
City Hall attracted but little attention
Comptroller Prendergast was more or
less moved by the Indifference, not to
say apathy, of the public and was
quoted as saying that the public was
not interested IN the municipal admin
istratlon.
In striking contrast to the fiasco at
the city Han on the Fourth of July was
the meeting one week later in Union
Square attended by 500 police as ushers
alone, in which the anarchist Berk-
man, with dry goods box and no
benches, attracted 10000 spectators
10, tl,.t L
ough presidents of disorder know more
about the business of getting a crowd
together and keeping 1t there than does
our city administration. Whatever their
methods, the feeling of dissatisfaction
which they exploit and which they voice
in terms suited to their own interests Is
part Of the same spirit which shows
itself in the absence of enjoyment in
the holiday crowds. Whether this spirit
Is temporary or characteristic of the
various causes which may generate it
cannot be here discussed.
Prominent among the causes, how
ever, may be mentioned the undoubted
effects of several years OF financial
stringency, the great contrasts between
wealth and the average mans lot in
New York, the false standards of enjoy
ment the exploitation of amusement
seekers and the dearth of holiday enter
tainment.
New York's cnjoyments are mostly
scaled up to the rich mans pocketbook
When the average man goes out for a
holiday he must spend on the same
scale or admit himself "piker." Either
alternative kills enjoyment. II the eX-
penses are divided by two men of the
party each feels compelled to display q
lavishness which he will rue for weeks
Left to the mercy of their eXploters
the public start out for amusement with
no very cheerful prospects, and their
lack OF buoyancy can scarcely be won
Gered at.
But at least the Fourth of July af-
fair offers one consolation. The city
administration, mistaken though it be in
its ideas of what interests the public
at least is beginning to see that it is the
duty of the city to provide suitable rec
reation for the public.
The recognition of this duty by mu-
inequalities abroad has produced extern
sive improvements and has offered such
outlets To the desire for amusement that
the holiday crowd abroad has at least
that good reason to exhibit high spirits
The recreation seeking public is not
seeking anything but recreation, and
the city should provide it.
Examples of spontaneously generated
amusement are seen in the barbecues
and picnics of the small towns of the
West and South. Change OF scene, re-
freshments, games, athletic contests
mule races, in VII oh the slowest null,
WINS and other contests of an anus
ing character, rowing and swimming
contests and similar activities. dancing
music and last out not least, oppor.