The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-07-25
UP AND DOWN BROADWAY
BY ALLEN GRIFFIN JOHNSON

New York, July 24.-fSpecial) -Consider-
Ing the magnitude of New York's popula-
ton and her great throngs of daily visitors
ii is really remarkable how well the null
titude not only is controlled, but controls
itself. You may think for instance that
the mere act of walking along the streets
| Is very easy of accomplishment yet IN
more than one southern city there are
many people who display absolutely no
thought for others while upon the thor
oughfares whereas if the same thought
lessness were In evidence upon Mammal
tan's great arteries there would soon be
congestion and various unpleasant evil
dences of it,
The smaller the city. the more the in
dividual inhabitant seems to think he
amounts to, and the more room he takes
up. One thing. it never requires New
York long to convince people about-that
u.s. the invidual Is very small sort OF
fish in this big sea of humanity but he is
expected to take care of himself and to
go swimming about his business at least
fast enough to keep out of the way of
others.
or course, we have traffic policemen,
and few little things like that to help
us look after ourselves, but we very soon
get the habit of doing 1t even better than
another could do it for us. Here. when
people walk the streets. they keep to the
right-otherwlse they Will make practi-
cally no progressively also keep moving
for that is the courtesy of New York
keep out of the other fellows way, and
In fy.t 10 nj To ar ha
1t would simply result in Inconvenience to
yourself and others
On the cars. whether Il" subway or
surface, there seems to be a proper regard
for the party who Is just in your rear,
who always appears to be in hurry.
Therefore. you must hurry, too. and after
little of this hurrying you soon acquire
the hal bit and then 1t is impossible to get
rid of it, You rush always and everywhere.
You hardly know why you are doing it,
but 1t is the New York influence in full
working order.
Then, there Is one other thing that plays
an important part in producing such well
conducted throngs in this city-tnat is the
great number of signs. One hardly need
ask a single question here If he but use
his eyes and his head little.
No matter where you want to go, what
you wish to procure or what you want to
do, there is a sign to help you out, If
you will only look for it. These signs
almost think for you. Every need seems
to have been thought of and written out
in the form of a sign. Directions are
everywhere, and frequently these are
written in as many as three different Ian
guages.
So, whether 1t be a disposition on the
part of the public to do it's best In re-
turn for SO thoughtful municipality or
whether something changes one as soon
as he lands uopn Manhattan's shores,
certain 1t Is that this city's throngs seem
to know how to take care of themselves
and keep out of the other fellows way
better than do the people of any smaller
city I have ever known
of it's own Inhabitants know it thorough
ly In fact their meager knowledge of
Its different sections would surprise
new conner; but they feel that they can
always find their way anywhere within
its confines without much as even ask
ing question.
Our foreign friends-and they are many
who make their living as strolling mus-
clans, believe thoroughly that New York
likes the Sextette from Lucia" better
than any selection to be found in this
any other country. There is not hurdy-
gurdy, hand organ, or German band on
the streets which does not give us the
Sextette many times every day: though
now and then the musicians from the
Fataherland vary it with Die Wacht am
Rhine in spite of our long suffering neu-
trality. t-t