Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-22
HISTORY. AND PUNS
FOR PASSENGERS ON
!: ..s:SlGHT-SEEING AUTO
Lecturer Gives Interesting
Account of City's Past
Without Its Accuracy Be-
ing Challenged.

Did vou ever view Philadelphia from a
s,ehtseeing auto? If you didn't you have
,ots TO learn. You will find in some in
stances that famous historians have
sreatlv erred. that statisticians have not
been within gunshot distance of facts,
and that you'll feel at the end of the
trIp that you should brush up on things
concerning your own city.
trip on one of these "rubber-neck"
cars was taken today by an Evening
Jedger reporter. He started from Fiji
teenth and Market streets in receptive
mood, but before riding a mile was con-
vnced that he knew very little, indeed
about places and events in his own city
The first surprise came when the car
reached the main postoffice. There the
marathon lecturer pointed to the statue
OF Benjamin Franklin and announced in
authoritative tones. There Is the statue
of benjamin Franklin. IT was upon this
very plot of ground that Franklin flew
his kite and got electricity from the
clouds" Some of the other riders also
we're amazed. They made quiet COM
ment, but as most of the passengers ap-
peared to be contented the statement
passed unduestioned.
one could half close his eyes and pic
ture the guide enightening an audience
in n vaudeville house. Glowing tribute
was paid by the lecturer to prominent
business establishments on Chestnut
street. On reaching Fifth street, he an
nounced that the Delaware River was
FIVE squares east; also that the Atlantic
Ocean, which washed the shores of New
Jersey and several other States, was 632
miles east of that.
CONSCIENCELESS ENCYCLOPEDIA.
Endowed with a vocabulary which
would have done credit to q high school
graduate, the speaker then went on like
human encyclopedia without a con-
science
The block from Fifth to Sixth on
Market street was referred to as great
mems row." Luckily there were no men,
bers of the Pennsylvania Historical So
cety on board for the guide pointed out
the early homes of several Presidents
half dozen famous statesmen and resi-
dences of others who helped make history
in the days of the city's early struggles.
At Seventh street he was obliged to
drop history for commerce. All the de-
partment stores got the fullest praise
and the prices of hats and gowns were
not forgotten. In describing one, the
lecturer remarked: There is a store so
large that If woman bought a hat at
the Market street entrance and carried
1t over every floor the hat would be out
of style before she left the building"
Just then a building hove in sight in
which white coated cook was turning
acrobatic cakes. That" shouted the
guide. rs restaurant where a hungry
man may get anything from roast din
ncr to piece of bread If he has a roll"
This brought a smile and, encouraged
he went on. There Is the worlds
largest Penn holder, City Hail. and II
cost 100000 to hold Billy in place. Even
at that he becomes impatient on account
OF the deeds which go on under him."
Up Broad street the car then wabbled
When the Suburbanitcs on board were
surrounded by batch of beautiful build
lnss the meEaphoned speaker let his ora
tory on at full speed. No stenographer
could have followed him. A flood of SUI
perlativcs was applied to the surround
Ing architecture. The facetious talker
could not resist the statement that Venus |
oe Milo on the Academy of Fine Arts |
lost her head on account of praise"
"BRoTHERLY LOVE" EXPLAINED |
According to the guide, this is called |
the City of Brotherly Love because the |
Girls Commercial School is opposite the |
Boys High School, at Broad and Green |
streets
None of Philadelpha's financiers and |
the amount of their fortunes was forgot
zen on the remainder of the trip up Broad
street When asked about particular
ornament which protruded from the sec
ond story OF nearly every house on am
oIner street. the guide looked wise
Ihey are busy-bodies." he said, land
on account Of present financial conditions
they are placed there so that the resi-
us"ts may learn If there's bill collector
at the door"
Later tho passengers learned that n
arge plot of ground containing tomb
tones was cemetery, and more enlight-
,hihs information along this line was
ioled out until Fairmount Park was
,en' eacheu' lie showed the Fairgrounds for
,hIlureh 10 the right, and the Fairgrounds
eor policemen and nurses to the left
.Plhtlns to the statue of an Indian which
aces both places, he said: Even the
islant medicine man cannot devise a
'ure Tor this condition"
nE way or educational instruction the
,ulue announced, mo fruit trees can be
,lahted IN the park, yet the guards often
,hu peaches in pairs on the benches" AS
'I rI G Car was then very near the Schuyl-
Gus. N''''e SGT
q, iou can readily see," he exclaimed,
sial s.tl 'his Is river, Every Saturday
,ileIhoon there's a boat race here be-
Meeh the crews of the Universiay OF
'S.nnimlssylVania and Girard College.
Nhats that flag on the west bank?"
shed passenger.
ihat Is the flag above Fort Belmont
,neIe WASHINGTON and his army rested
aI'er leaving Valley Forge"
WHERE PENN MET ENGINEERS.
wave of patriotism swept over the
.ourists' and ii was increased when the
r'o rL passed the statue of General Grant.
nc EolunIe historian called attention to
I've ,',t iaet mat the General was facing the
'osne or William Penn on the west bank.
NV @ ssld Grant was ready to protect IL
ust lIt, as well as he protected the North in
spring Garden street was reached
he suiue pointed out a large mount to
"e I,Eht That's where William Penn
- ms engineers" he said, "and told
~ now TO lay out the plans of Fair
aI.iht puht fark." This was followed by |
s,use OF statistics. which was cut short
80 pS the appearance of the Washing
on monument, :
a. -'d and Spring Garden streets the
MAJ. saw small-pointed three story I
h tbas Ihat, exclaimed the guide.
me Ine original latlron building, the FIRST !
i, nus country. New York copied its
.1.s "Gpailulhg from this. just as il fol-