New-York tribune., 1920-10-31


ing along the ratings. To the south
can be seen the ships passing out to
sea, and to the north an edge of the
New York navy yard and the other
great spans girding the river. Some
times an artist will be seen making
sketches, and on warm summer eve
rings the benches are never quite
free Of the silhouetted forms Of
sweethearts watching the craft slip
ping along the waters.
Thirteen Years i'm Building
For the benefit of those Stats
iically inclined it may be added that
the bridge took more than thirteen
years to build, that it cost more than
S25,0OO00O, and that until more
modern achievements came along it
was generally looked uDon-in
Brooklyn, certainly, if nowhere else
as the eighth wonder of the world.
Looking back over the newspapers
Of the day when the bridge was
opened to traffic one may get vivid
impression how the span was looked
upon at that time, and also as to the
source of that sentiment and affec-
ton which all bat converted the
structure into national monument.
II must be remembered that when
this marvel of engineering came into
being there were only 50,0O0,0OO
persons in the United States, but
100000 in the entire State of New
York and only 100000 in New
York and Brooklyn combined.
Nothing so imposing and wonder
full had been seen in the United
States and at but few places in the
world.
President Arthur himself Jour
neyed from Washington to Brooklyn
TO attend the ceremonies, and it was
an impressive spectacle indeed when
he and Governor Cleveland, escorted
by the 7th Regiment, walked across
the structure.
Looking back over the newspapers,
one may observe scores of adver-
tisements inviting "ladies and stran-
gers making the delightful trip
across the East River" to seek rest
and relaxation after the unprece-
dented experience in the refresh
ment parlors open on that occasion.
Cities Made Holiday
New York and Brooklyn both de-
clared holiday; all the exchanges
were closed, as were the courts and
public Offices; buildings were deco
rated with flags and bunting. and
there were several imposing recep-
tions, the most impressive being
that at the home of Colonel Wash
ington A. Roebling, the chief en-
gineer, in Brooklyn, which was at
tended by the President.
Virtually the only public insttu-
tlon open for business on that great
and glorious day was Castle Garden,
which, Of course, had to take care
of the daily ingress of immigrants,
never dreaming that as time went on
it would be converted into an AQUA
rum and headquarters for strange
fish.
In Brooklyn Mayor Seth Low in
troduced ali innovation in the shape
of rows of gas jets along the roof of
his house on Columbia Heights. ard
Mayor Edison of New York was also
doing everything possible to make
the day success. True, there were
some in Manhattan who looked with
disfavor upon the bridge, although
scofing at the suggestion that any
number Of persons would be in
duced thereby to move TO Brooklyn,
but these critics were in the minor
lty. There was an effort to stir up
a scandal over the fact that the
celebration WAS so arranged as to
take place on Queen Victoria's birth
day, but the agitation died away
when it was explained that the date
selected was not the result Of pro-
British plot
A National Event
From twenty-one to one hundred
guns were fired; special trains
brought visitors from mary Of the