New-York tribune., 1919-12-28
Staten Island, Berkshires of
Greater City, Has Big Future
Commerce and Residences Coming There; Homes in
Hills and Valleys and Trade Along the Deep
Water Edge of elsie of the Bay

first land of greater New York seen
upon their return
Staten Island is surrounded by deep
water and the frontage is undergoing
rapid development on the north shore
by private enterprise. The frontage
upon deep water has been the subject
of elaborate plans by such eminent en-
gineers as Calvin Tomkins and Lewis
Nixon. Recently the City of New York,
through Commissioner Hubert Of the
Department of Docks, has condemned
all OF the land comprising the water
front of the east shore at Tompkins-
vile, Stapleton and Clifton, from the
American Docks on the north 70 tho
Pouch Terminal on the south, for
proved construction, which will extend
into the deep water of the bay more
than one thousand feet. The title to
all Of the upland and land under water
already has been vested in the city,
and, although not yet constructed, all
of the piers have been leased by ship
ping corporations and the rent guaran-
.teed to the city for ten years.
There is no water front in the whole
harbor of New York that will in al
Turing qualifications match up with
that of Staten Island. 1t Is on the
west side of the harbor. and all of the
trunk lines of railroads to the South
and West are on the west side Of the
harbor.
Staten Island has the advantage Of
all other lands in the harbor in being
nearest to the south and nearest to
the west. Also it is nearest to the
the east shore of Staten Island is with
out effort. When passengers are
landed from ocean steamers on Staten
Island half a day is saved by them
that would have been lost if they had
remained on the ships passing into
the North or East river. This fact
was noted upon the arrival of Cardinal
,Jercier in this country, when almost
a day was wasted by his remaining
upon the ship and navigating the Hud-
son River, when he might have landed
on Staten Island and in less than an
hour have been in Manhattan. A great
deal was said about this waste Of q
day at that time, and a great deal of
attention was drawn to this advantage
possessed by the shores of Richmond
Borough. There Is no difficult naviga-
ton from the ocean TO Staten Island.
Navigation becomes difficult at Robins
Reef and from there north into the
Hudson arf6 East rivers. For the pur-
pose Of navigation not even tugs are
needed at Stapleton. Likewise for the
West or South q day can be saved. We
are proud TO call attention to our
complete Marginal Railway along the
north and east shores between high
and low water marks. 1t connects with
all of the trunk lines of railroads for
the West and South and connects with
every pier and warehouse.
Commercial Prospects Are Bright
The construction Of the twelve city
piers between Arrietta Street and
Simonson Avenue, Stapleton-spoken If
as an attainment by the borough-is
filled with great assurance for the
future, and other public works, such
as new ferries and subways, may be
counted as certainties to follow neces-
sarily.
The certainty of the piers being q
certainty of the great things that must
follow. Soon the effect Will be shown
upon real estate by both increased de-
mand and hi~her prices. There are op-
portunities now. but it will be mis-
take for spectators to take Il for
granted that the quantity is large. It
is rot large for speculation. because
much has been taken up for residential
purposes. The investor who does not
act quickly and purchase at prices that
are now alluring Will find that the op-
portunit.es are gone forever.
The borough government has large
appropriations from the Board Of EST
mate and Apportionment for the fur
ther Improvement OF highways and
other activities, all adding to the at
tractiveness OF this rapidly develop
lng suburb.
Many things have been written bv
poets and other great men in praise OF
TINS Gem OF the Bay" but no stronger
rhan can be readily verified by few
hours ride over inviting highways
through the highlands and along tSe
beautiful shores