The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-31
HOLIDAY EXODUS.
SETS A RECORD.
Half Million Jam Terminals in
Rush to Mountains and
Seashore.
ALL TRAINS ARE DELAYED
Lost Terrier and a Navy
Trained Parrot Add to
Humor of the Day.

The record for holiday crowds was
smashed to smithereens yesterday
when the Grand Central Terminal and
the Pennsylvania Station became the
objective of men, women and chill
dren who waited patiently to pur-
chase tickets and be sent out or
trains. Late last night, when the
weary ticket agents and overworked
redcaps commenced to think about
calling 1t a day; the officials said they
could not begin to estimate just how
many persons had left the city oyer
the triple holiday. At the Pennsyl-
vania Station IL was conservatively
figured that 100000 might tell the
story OF a heavy" day, while the Grand
Central men said they would not be
able to talk figures for a few days.
All trains to points within zoo miles
from the city went out in sections,
some having as high as ten sections
TO relieve the terrific congestion at the
terminals. which reached its maxi
mum force between II and 2 o'clock
and then dragged steadily thereafter.
Conditions were much the same over
Central OF New Jersey and Lehigh Val
ley roads all reported an unusual traffic.
Thousands OF persons seeking to reach
the Jersey coast resorts by way OF the
Sandy Hook boats from the foot OF West
Forty-se second and Cedar streets had to
be turned away because the steamers
could not handle the immense throng
which sought this route to Asbury Park
and other points on the Long Branch
Railroad.
River steamboats, damned.
The excursion boats to Coney Island
and .Rockaway Beach, although working
on fast schedules could not accommodate
the thousands who clamored TO get
aboard. The Hudson River Day Line
steamboats, carried record crowds up the
river to the various landings and did
heavy business to Albany. The boats OF
the Sound lines sailed in the afternoon
with decks massed with people from
stem to stern.
At Grand Central Terminal officials
said traffic was enormous over the main
line of the New York Central all the way
to Utica. An illustration OF just how
hard a day II was for the Central was
borne out in the case of the twentieth
Century Limited which is known by all
travellers for it's strict adherence to
schedule. The baggage Jam for this
train was so great that II was held up
fifteen minutes after the regular time OF
departure. The New Haven was over
whelmed by the crowds which swarmed
for trains covering the shore line. Ex-
ira trains were sent out to Bridgeport.
New Haven. Hartford, Boston and other
places.
While the big terminal was In the
height of the rush a woman who had
some difficulty with a pet Irish terrier
gave the fretful passengers an amusing
show when the dog got loose as she was
about to enter an Albany train. The
dog apparently d!sliked the jam and
general confusion and leaped about
handbags and over chiidren's heads un-
til he was finally ce0tured by three red
caps. The train was held up by the ex-
element which resulted because many OF
the messengers joined in the pursuit and
had difficulty making their way back 10
the gate leading to the track.
Egan's Biggest Day Yet.
Big Bill Egan. the chief station
master OF the Pennsylvania, Thought ne
had taken the bull by the horns' In
anticipating the crowd. but he later ad-
pitted It was the greatest gathering OF
holiday travellers he had come upon In
his MANY years of railroading. He had
a specially constructed baggage and
parcel room erected for the occasion and
extra employees on hand. Besides the
regular holiday rush on the Pennsyl-
vania road Mr.. Egan said the traffic
which went over the Long Island sys-
tenn was absolutely abnormal" The
trains to Forest Hills and Piping Rock,
where the two big sporting events OF the
day were progressing. were swamped
with people who dared the overcast
clouds and rain of the early morning.
Atlantic City. Philadelphia. Norfolk.
Washington and all the coast resorts of
Jersey seemed to be the favorite desti-
nations OF the great multitudes who
sought the Pennsylvania trains, Mr.,
Egan said nc did more handshaking
meeting friends than the Prince. OF
Wales had done since being In Canada.
A parrot which belonged TO a naval
officer who was journeyiug TO Atlantic
City became uncrated In the baggage
room and broke forth into a monologue
OF cuss words which upheld the tradi-
ton OF the old navy until its owner came
and claimed H. With every crash and
bang OF trunk the parrot squawt ted TO
the bapGsge mea Give 'em hell. boys"