The Sun from New York, New York • Page 51

THE SUN, SUNDAY, JULY 14, 1912. F. W. WOOLWORTH'S RISE A ROMANCE OF THE NICKEL 1 r'W. Woolworth ZsSMiiy That afternoon ho talked It over with his friends who finally bought tho job lot and 1 Tallest Building in the World Result of Hint That There Was Profit in a Five Cent Counter Mr.

Woolworth a Clerk at Watertown, N. When He Got His Idea -How He Carried It Out for those available was quickly n-ttlsfiod. Woolworth had run up pa hint tho same imag thnt had bothered tho merchant, i There was a difference, however, ho- 1 tweon them, Woolworth stuck, hut ho pulled up stakes and still doing business on credit went down to Lancaster, and started another Ave cent counter. There also ho began to use his 'brain strenuously. Ho realized that ho could not bo always moving and if ho remained In one place ho could not go on duplicating his stock becauso pcnplo expecting novelties came to look, and not finding them went away distil tailed.

Tho young man began to cudgel his brains hard. He realized the needs of tho situation thoroughly. The solution of the problem finally flashed upon him. He must make a wider and more varied appeal to customers. Why not do so by having a ten cent counter in combination store.

At the present time thero aro over 300 of them and the number is con-stuntly being Increased. Tho giant structure on Broadway, standing as a monument of the faith of one man in tho value of nickels and dimes, is almost, if not quite, as interesting in many particulars as its builder. For ono thing, it Indicates his fulth in the permanent value of Now York real estate as an investment. When finished the Woolworth building, stands on a plot "with a frontage of 200 feet, will weigh 150,000 tons. It rests on slxty-nlnn pillars of cement, reaching down to solid rock.

These cement columns uro enclosed in steel columns. More than $10,000 worth of glass will be required for tho windows of about 2,000 ofllces. In tho walls are to bo over 30,000 sepjare feet of hollow tiling and gins, $1,000,000, and construction, ooo. Work was begun on thW building on November 4, 1910. Tho tnero knowledge that such a building was to be erected caused tho tax assortment on the property to bo rained from $2,210,000 to $3,200,000.

There will bo a floor space, taking all the floors together, of twenty-three acres, which is equal to a protty good sized farm. There is to be room for 2,000 offices, and it is figured thnt tho dally population of tho building will bo lo.ouo und tho transient population about as many more Down in the depths for the lighting of this small cltyful of people is an independent electrlo plant capable of lighting 3,100 25-watt lamps. On the other hand, so far havo systemat tuition and modern inventions of cleaning advanced that the present plans for the inside force, including elevator men, engineers, watchmen Ing In tho world. It was the only available largo plot that could lie hocurod In close proximity to the financial centre. Hero is the heart of the money of tho city.

Opposite Is tho Post Ollleo, In which many Important interests must centre becauso of tho extensive business they carry on through tho mall. "A few hundred feet away Is the Brook-lyn Bridge, which dally Ix-ars it hundreds of thousands into Manhattan lloyoud are Brooklyn and Queens with their vast population. Much of their territory Is now undeveloped and will grow Immeasurably within tho iieU lew years and tho llrooklyn Bridge will bo tho terminus through which scores or thousand who live in Long Island will havo to come to reach lower Manhattan. "The city Is spending millions in tho erection of tho now Miuiicipal Building, where will focus the interests that aro TO CELEBRATE a victory a Rho-dian sculptor created a statue 105 feet high, which the ancients called the Colossus of Rhodes and considered, ono of tho seven wonders of the world. To celebrate and commemorate business success a New York merchant is building an edifice 730 feet high which will be as much of wonder until some ono puts up a taller structure as was tho Colossus of Rhodes in ancient times.

Its erection is tho culmination of the romance of the nickel. It proclaims the triumph of tho idea Frank Wool-worth conceived soino thirty years ago. From the top of the world's tallest skyscraper, tho Woolworth Building, on the west side of Brcndway lietween Park place and Barclay street, the City Hall looks hko a toy house with which a very young child plays, and the fountain in tho park appears like a little girl teacup. Across Broadway tho Post Office wenw as big. or as small, as a Swiss chalet.

while the processions of New Yorkers up and down Broadway, along Park row and through tho park look like an army vf anu just emerged from thoir hill and currying to do the bidding of their taskmasters. A few days ago at midday the lost stool girder at the top of this structure was Hvted into place, and to announce.the event an American flag was flung to the bre7o on Uio pinnacle of the highest building on earth. Ah noon approached the ten foot girder was hlid Into place with a yo heave ho. ham Dovil Harvey, who was bousing tho Job, reached for his comb-belly rivet Inieket and Thomas Halloy, his assistant, flung in four white hot rivets. A compres sion hammer on the end of one or two rior.pnnakelikolinesofcomprehsHd air hose was capped over the bolts and tho job was finished in a trice.

Then tho flag pole was adjusted and Old (ilory fluttered etwfpn tho red girders at its base. Every ono watched the time ball. Ono minute to 12, thirty seoonds, and then down Ml the ball, whilo forty-eight stars and thirteen red and whito stripes went creep-Inc up the blank staff. It was noon. Hi" iron workers raised a shout, and thti from far down below thero come a answering cry from the ants on the pavement On the North and tho t-i" River littlo white puff of steam irnm th big liners, tho tramp ships md Hie tugboats.

A few seoonds later and moans of the saluting WM.t,. floating up on tho breeze im i i'e throng clinging to the plunk-inr dm topmost tier of the building. Viioiig spectators of the ceremony 'I ni.iu who was most deeply inter-Hi it Frank W. Woolworth, for to building is being erected. No 'Tv of success in America is III' (' tl.nn nf Mr.

Wool. ho from profit on nickel and! iieiuiAus in his stores is erecting i niihflt building at a cost of Ofer 'l M' Woolworth was bom at Rodman, mi hII 13, IR52. When still a boy 1 rm he had an ambition to be a lie was over buying and fir his mother when a child 1 i delighted on the days when 1 wagon arrived. 'iv odd yeam ago the unldentl- of a New York house was 1 io Marled on a Western trip 1 hi v. inm him to dispose of a small articles in Its stock proved at all profitable, to accept almost any nlil gel the goods (Hit of That afternoon ho talked It over with his friends who tinaily bought tho job lot and I sold tho articles at five c-nts each.

So great wa? the success of tho first five Icent sale that the counter was entirely 1 cleared off in a few days; but when, tho merchant wHilng to make the flvo cent counter permanent ordered new lot I of goods ho found it impossible to get tliem. I he job lot hod been sold and wholesalers did not care to bother with regular trade in such things. The counter was necessarily abandoned and the germ of a new and immensely popular idea In merchaMdiiimt having fallen on stony ground died and apparently was for-I gotten. Like tho seeds of some flowers, good ideas may lie dormant long time and ...111 miii iriuin meir leniiuy. i mis mo tfloa of the five cent counter by chance dropped into the mind of young Woolworth and found fertile soil.

It happened in this way: Tho next year the MIcIiiikvi iiieniiwif went Ent Mopped U'r iwn, N. to visit rel.ViveM One tlvv he visited tho More of Moore "-'tnltli rtld incidentally tol.l one of its ropnetors of his short lived but highly experiment with the flvo cent counter In the listening group win Woolworth, then in his twenties and a clerk in tho store. Young Woolworth paid strict attention to oil tho merchant hud to say end ho didn't sleep much that night thinking about it. He felt sure that if ho could go down to Now York himself and look around among tho notion anil novelty houses he could find plenty of articles which might sell for five cents each. Tho next morning ho was up bright and early and hung around tho store ner vously for nn hour waiting to toll his employers all about it.

Mooro A Smith listened to his story, as they liked tho young clerk. Ho had shown enterprise and ability and was popular with their customers. They failed, however, to thuro his enthusiasm regarding tho five cent counter. "Havo you any capital?" asked Mr. Smith.

"No, replied the clerk, "but I am going to havo plenty and meantime I think you, Mr. Smith and Mr. Moore, also aro going to lend me some. Mooro Smith regarded themselves as astute business men and they were not sufficiently convinced of tho practicability I of young oolworth nchemo to lend him mil- 1 I I Ctty rom Tower of nhe Woolworth fouildvn The Voolworth IbuildiTijr money. However, ho did prevail upon them to sell him a bill of goods on credit and then uinoni? his friends hn iiwimiired to pither a very small amount of real capital sufficient to enable him to rout small shop in utica and put out lug signs announcing the existence of a flvo cent counter.

This was in February, 187. At practically the first attack everybody seemed to get all ho flvo cent articles ho wanted. When tho original stock was sold out busin-wi hggod sadly. The varioty of goods it was xissiblo to retail at a nickol was not large. Tho demand with the five cent counter? That ten cent counter idea was really young Wool-worth's first stop toward the fortune he has heaied up.

Tho prosperity of tho five and ten cent store increased each week, Presently a second store was started in a neighboring town and Mr, Woolworth's brother-in-law, S. H. Knox, was put in chargo of it. It leacd into instant success und a third venture was made. The popularity of tho counters has never waned.

You can boh in every part of the Eastern States the rod front Woolworth terra rot in. The amount of cement used will run to tens of thousands of bags. On tho weekly payroll is a regiment of men ranging from ordinary laborers to ironworkers, who seem to do feats of circus performers on Hleiider( steel beams 700 foot up in theair. Tho wages run from $1.50 a day for tho laborers to $4.50 a day and up for tho skllltxi mechanics, and tho iviyroll amounts to about. day.

Tills has been going on for over two years. When completed tho structure will have cost approximately $13,500,000, divided as follows: $, soo.ooo for foundation; dig- and scrubwomen, call for lesi than 175 persons, who will receive an average wage of $12.50 a week. Mr. Woolworth expects tho rent roll will amount to $2,500,000 annually. Tenants are to be admitted into the Woolworth Buildlngabout tholatof October, though it is not expected that tho building will bo completed much be "ore Febru ary.

A comparison of the Woolworth Building and other high structures of the world is interesting, 'lliis new skyscraper will be 50 leet higher than tho Metropolitan Tower. 13S feet higher than the Singer Building and 250 feet higher than tho Wai-hington Monument. In the entire world the only higher structure is tho Eiffel Tower in Pari which is feet high, but it is not a building. Alongside tho Woolworth Building the structures of former tinie which were onco regarded as wonderful becauso of their height sink into insignificance, Tho Pantheon at Rome is only 150 feet high. The great Pyramid of Cheops is 453 feet high; St.

Peter's, Rome, is 400 feet high; Rouen's cathedral Is feet high, while theColognoCathedral rises516 feet. Speaking recently regarding tho building Mr. Woolworth mid: "My original idea for the Woolworth structure was to obtain a site on Broadway for the erection of a building for tho accommodation of tho Irving National Exchange Bank. When negotiations for the purchr.so of tho Park place corner were progressing favorably tho idea struck mo that it would Im advisable to obtain tho adjoining parcel to tho south and erect a tall building on tho sito. "I suggc.itod it to the' bank officials and they agreed that if I would personally stand a largo share ol tho cost thoy would permit the skyscraper to Imj called tho Woolworth Building.

"I agreed to that and then suggested to my real estate agent that ho should obtain tho land nil the way to the comer of Barclay street. It was for a variety of reasons that I selected this particular plot for tho erection of tho tallest build- VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH HAM IS GLORIFIED BY WASHINGTON COOKS ii i wits nimble to dispose of lie leached a small ii I here was a "line whoso 1 1 lend as well as cms- Im found letter minding linn of the big uio firm wanted muted. Washington jieople who enjoy novel ties in tho wuy of refreshment as well as others who ndmiro anything in the way of refreshment, are wondering If tho fsmou.i Clark liams will ever reach tho White Hoiimi, If so, those who have tasted them s.iy thoy should bo herved with low musical accompaniment as in Washington, tho very lair of tho Virginia ham they havo gained fame, They aro brought all tho way from Missouri, and at Mrs, Champ Clark's receptions they were served in tho English fashion from the sideboard, being carved as needed and made Into sandwiches III the presence of tho guests, homo made bread being llred With the Washington epicures, thoy dltanced all the rati inrs' dainty, ribbon tied morsels ami ham lovers from all over the country tried to get to tho Clark receptions in order to ox'rlenc the flavor of the delicacy Washington is often made dixlios famous owr inelu 'I he late Senator i-otik who served corned href lia-h for Sunday iealtfut nml In-, guests raved about the old fiishioiied dish piepared us this sM'cial Southern mammy made it A wiry good cook knowi, corned bf hash is a subtle and wonderful dish when projierly prepared und allowed to stand In an icebox for several hours before it is cooked. This Haniia hash was made urter the directions of Thomas J. Murrey, famous for his skill as a cook.

All the 'famous statesmen and diplomats delighted in It and Its fame continued after Murrey's death through Senator llauna's liking for it, Then thero was an Indian cook at Saratoga who had been un Adirondack guide and who became rich through RosetMt Conk ling's fondness for the green corn ho cooked in cold water, allowing the vegetable but four minutes In tho water alter it began to boll, This of course was corn fresh from tho farm, which added to its virtues, When the Fifth Avenue Hotel was torn down thorn worn many that sighed for its corned Iss'f mid cabbage. It was famous with politicians and was cooked by an old lii-luvoman who went to the kitchen every day lor the piirsise, turning mil llii siHiciallv ill a manner that was unequalled It was to had every day and the print of a Xirtton nf tho beef ami cabbage with a lingo boiled potato was only 40 ivnts. hi lilo President Clevckud often diuod with friend ou tbia homely dish. It is also said to be a favorite with Col, Roosevelt. Commodore Benedict invented a method of cooking eggs which is still ud at the Hofl man Uouso and Is named for him.

A largo ripe tomato is peeled and scooed out and seasoned with pepper, salt and butter added. Then a fresh eg is placed In the vacant space and the whole baked in a quick oven. A Hollandaiso sauce is poured over it. Tho old Everett House was for years tho chosen lunching place of editors, artists, writers and politicians, who often ordered mussels cooked in manner invented by Manager Bates. The mussel is often by tho unknowing among dm despised foods.

It Is willed I he poor man's oyster. But cooked after tho Bates method It is delightriil. The small mussel, heingmost delicate, ore chosen for this dish. The fish aro roinovtsl from tho shells and parboiled in wine with herbs and chopsl paisley. They are then put buck In the shells and baked with bread crumbs and butter added.

A pungent sauce is served with them. The late Senator Piatt had a cook who ecved pancakes, wafllos and griddle brttd taut dcllf bled Uio benator friendi. When ho wanted to givo them a treat he iiBkcd them to Sunday breakfast and had these cakes brought on in many varieties with Vermont, maple syrup and also old fashioned molasses for thofe who wished it. Ash coke and fried pone were among this cook's triumphs, and she made walTles from all sorts of flour, rice und corn meal being the favorites. There was also an Irish bread made with currants in It, baked on a griddle and served very hot There is all the difference In tho world In hums, the methods of curing us well as cooking having to do with their excel.

'''Hie In England the hams are of a peculiarly delicuto flavor, in no way as strong us the Virginia hums, which rank 'so high in this part of the world I Tho Southerner Is proud of his ham. I There are all sorts of devious wavs to keep them dry and away from ho ilght homo iack them in wood ashe, others use bran Some discard the packing Idea tuid hang them trom hooks in allies OikhI housekis'pers paper IlilllM clowilv or bag mem irgium aie i.noivu to keep for nearly twenty years in good condition. The methods of cooking ham are so ouuy that newly every good cook and every club and hotel has its own way. Tho usual plan is to souk a ham over night in water. Some soak it in cider and some in champagne, Other chefs cook it in sherry or champagne after soaking it in water.

It must Im boiled slowly, allowing about a quarter of an hour to each pound. The skin should not be re-moved until the ham is cold, At the Waldorf tho roast ham prepared after tho methods of Oscar Tschlrky calls for a somewhat complicated process, hut it is worth the trouble. A small ham is soaked for an hour in resit water, when tho surface is pared. Tho ham is then placed in saiicc)an, covered with cold water and simmered for nrarlv nn I hour, Then the ham is taken out and me noun uiiu roiu ri'iuoviHi, i It is placed in a basin and a cooked i marinade Is poured over it In which it is allowed to remain for went v-f our hours well covered. Then it is drained, covered with sheets of buttered p.lMr, pin on a cradle spit and roasted before tho the, being hasted with tho fat and then with I the Then the uipers are lomovctl und thirty minutes moru allowed lor cooking.

The English cooks couple ham and l.U ham and ve-ti They make ham and chicKcn pie In a deep dUli with a crust the bam and the chicken arranged In iver. is finished with cnM hard bollisl eggs, and veal or chicken gravy is poured over to keep Ue ttUiug motet concerned with tho government of their municipality. "Probably of ai great interest as anything else in connection with tho Wool-worth Building is tho story of how the plot on which the building has eroded was assembled, "The Irving National Exchange Bank had for long time lieen anxious to obtain a plot on Broadway for the establishment of its offices. I as a memlier of tho board of directors had looked at several plots, ono at Broadway and Iteado street. The plot proved to Ihj unsatisfactory, so we looked for another.

Wo heard 'that tne Bank was willing to i-ell the plot on the southwest corner of Broadway and Park place. "My representative liegan negotiations for that and tho adjoining plot to the south. Without both plots we could have done nothing. Finally tho officers of tho bunk agreed to sell, but tho owners of tho plot to tho south held off. "I sat in my oflico ono night whilo mv real estate ugent was at tho oflico of a title company on Broadway procuring signatures to sell the plot adjoining the corner.

I was finally advised that papers woro about to Iks signed' nnd told to bo ready. I went down Broadway from my office and stood in front of the Guardian Trust Company's oflico. "In a short time my agent camo out nnd told mo that tho papers for the plot next to tho comer hud been signed. I was hurried into an automobile nnd wo speeded up Broadway. "I had supposed that tho Mercantile Bank plot had already len procured, but upon asking where wo worn hound I was told thnt tho bank had kept tho option open until fl o'clock nnd that tho vice-president had then gono to his home without signing tho papers, "Wo arrived at tho homo of tho banker a littlo after 7 o'clock.

I waited alone In my automobile whilo tho agent went into tho houso, Tho banker had lieen dressing to go to somo entertainment with his wifo. Sho was hurrying him and ho wanted to put off his signing unt tho next morning. "My agent feared that If that were done tho lianker might liMirn of the Nile of the ndjoining property and hold out for a higher figure or probably refiiHn to sell at all. Ho did not dare to appeir to; anxious, but urged that tho deal bo concluded ut once. "In his hurry tho banker when taking the pon upset tho ink bottle and sjmttorod ink over his cuffs and shirt fr tit ho said to my agent, 'don't you see I am too nervous to sign to-night? I won't do it; let it go until morning!" "My ugent was persistent and flnillv persuaded him to sign, My ideas had by this time exviudod and I had determined to erect tho greatest business building In tho world.

I wanted that Barclay street corner, it was leased at a good rciitul and the owner declined to sell, "It looked as if we would bo unable to get it, so my architect worked out tha plans for tho building without it Wo then began negotiations for the plots iu Paik place and in Barclay street Thrno negotiations were suoccRsful "Tho owners of tho Barclay street cor. nor by tins time knew what wo luletulisl to do and saw that my building would so hem them In thai llicv could get no light toe liny biiildiiu: I ha I in future uiighl bo civcied on 1 heir plot, and they capitulated, i 'or that isiiner I finally paid something like $1011,000 le.s tlian 1 offered thuta Oiue month previous. i.