One to Five

Distinctions enjoyed successively by the late Robert Bacon included the following: a Bostonian birthright; education at Harvard; member of J. P. Morgan & Co.; credit for founding the International Mercantile Marine; Assistant Secretary of State in the Roosevelt Cabinet (full Secretary from January to March in 1909); Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France (1909-1912); a major on the staff of General Pershing in the A. E. F. When Major Bacon died in 1919, he left his widow one more distinction, seemingly one that would last. Their distinguished home in distinguished Manhattan was at the unique address: "One, Park Avenue."

In 1924, however, the city fathers of Manhattan voted to make Park Avenue longer by smoothing the cobbles in front of the Vanderbilt Hotel and rechristening two blocks of lowly Fourth Avenue. Park Avenue thus began at 32nd Street instead of at 34th Street, and because counting begins at "one," the city fathers told Mrs. Bacon that her number must now be "five."

Mrs. Bacon objected, Mrs. Bacon sued, but all to no avail. Last week the Court of Appeals regretfully told her that, while it was only natural she should feel annoyed and vexed, the city fathers had acted legally. "Number One" she was no longer; "Number Five" she must remain, unless one way or another, the U. S. Supreme Court can be persuaded to overrule the highest court of the State of New York.

* In the office building now at "One, Park Avenue," are the U. S. Prohibition Headquarters for the New York area.