The New York herald., 1922-01-08
Harry a Depores Absence of Chronicler Willing Un-
dertake Task, Then Proceeds With His Own Vivid
Account Of Development of Earths Crust-Ad-
vises Every Realtor to Read "Outine of
History and Story of Mankind

, Crusades ended less than TOO years ago.
The existence of this continent was
unkonwn to white men until 1892, and
1t is just 300 years since the little trad
ing station of New Amsterdam was
founded on Manhattan Island.
At the close of the Revolution, 40
years ago. only the thirteen States on
the Atlantic seaboard were settled, and
Philadelphia was as far away from New
York in point of time as San Francisco
Is to-day.
Steamboats, and railroads are only
about 100 years old. 1t is almost start
ling to recall that prior to that time the
only means of transportation that a man
had other than his own legs was his
horse on land and his sailing vessel on
the sea. and It Is from the coming OF
the steam engine and the steamboat that
the United States really commenced to
grow and its more remote places became
usefully accessible.
A story which would explain these de-
velopments logically and historically
would not only be fascinating in itself
but would form a helpful background
for the study of present and future real
estate problems, for right here in New
York. although the forms and methods
have changed and barter takes the
place of seizure. the struggle Is still the
same. The necessity for a standing
place in which to exist. the desire to
acquire the most desirable location
either for residence or business, and
the need for expansion. due to the con-
stantly increasing population, continue
in new form the real estate problem
which has confronted the race since il
| first began to be conscious of such deeds.
We have only to look back a little
way TO ssee that New York has repeated
In itS IA historxy ba III
ence of the world that has been indi-
Gated: we all know that all the tillable
portions of the city have at some tima
been used for farming purposes. These
farms at first occupied a small area
| surrounding the original fort and gradu-
ally expanded northward and eastward.
Some of them to this day remain prac-
ticaily intact, as for instance the old
Kings Farm. which now forms the ex-
tensive and valuable real estate holding
of Trinity Church; the Happening
Farm on John and Fulton streets, be-
queathed to the Dutch Reformed Church.
and the farm lying around Broadway,
Eighth street and Washington square.
left by Capt. Robert Richard Randall TO
support Sailors Snug Harbor.
Step by step the needs of trade or
commerce or residence have driven out
the farmers and absorbed their lands.
of Richmond and Queen counties, they
have practically disappeared and all the
former little farming communities have
! been absorbed into the greater city,
which, under the influence of improved
transportation, has built and rebuilt its
original area and has extended itself to
| unexpected limits. Standing room in
certain sections has become immensely
/ valuable and Is almost impossible TO OBJ
/ tain. Where but recently 1t had one
| major business district-downtown, with
! smaller ones grouped arourd it--to-day
| 1t has practically two distinct major dis
/ tricts, the second OF which, centering at
! Forty-second street, did not exist at all
! twenty years ago.
Climbing Tower of Experience.
! And still the process goes on. We
can to-day see the farms of Westchestcr
and other adjacent counties being pur-
/ chased for residential use, industry AMI
trade invading former residence dis
tricts, loft buildings being changed into
Office buildings. old structures being torn
down to give place to new ones, and
/ greater and more extensive lines OF
! transportation being planned.
! A man need no. be a prophet to ven
ture the assertion that New York-far
| from being finished-has really only
! The suggested story would undoubt-
/ edly show that. as in all other sciences
/ there are deep fundamental laws under
| lying real estate progress. which would
/ become increasingly clearer as the out
/ look broadened and the details were
/ filled in. The exposition Of these basic
/ laws would be valuable contribution 10
/ the science Of real estate. but until II i5
! prepared we shall have to content our
selves with such glimpses OF them as
! may be obtained through the reading OF
| books like those referred TO.
Mr.. Van Loon. in his preface. says
History is the mighty Tower Of Ex-
perience. which Time has built amid the
endless fields of bygone ages. II Is no
easy task TO reach the top OF this
ancient structure and get the full view.
There Is no elevator. but II can be done"
To me IL seems that for successful
real estate operation In any form there
Is no more necessary guide than "ex-
perience." and for one who desires 70
I fit himself either TO operate personally
or 10 guide others It is worth while TO
climb the Tower and study the full view
now. and not wait for the elevator" to
be installed