Vaudeville comedians, commenting on the lack of tenants in the space, called it the `Empty State Building' and the `102 Story Blunder.' One businessman observed: "The only way to fill the building would to be to tow it out to sea."
When the King of Siam visited the Empire State Building, he said: "This reminds me of home." "Why?" asked Al Smith. "You don't have anything like this in Siam." "Oh yes," replied the king. "We have white elephants too."
