New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-06-13
VIEWS OF A COMMISSIONER.


TRIBUNE reporter called, yesterday, upon VIM. Z.
Traphagen one Of the Commissioners obtain his ex
PLANTATION in regard the large amounts awarded and
assessed. He said:
When the new Commissioners first met they deter
mined to cut down the awards largely, believing that
the amounts from 80 TO so per cent more than hey
should be, and accordingly 1t was notified TO the persons
whose property had been appropriated that - was IhG
intention Of the Commissioners 10 reduce their SEVERN
amounts. The Commissioners were therefore Deset ny
Se n show that the property was more valuable
than the old Commissioners had esteemed it, and IN co
sideration of their statements, compelled TO
appear on the books. We felt and feel satisfied
Park Commissioners and included in the proposed park.
unadapted to the purpose and never should have been
eitysecondst and Twelith-ave. and in other localities,
Of hieh sur feet teloo o'o todter mark and
apparently Of little value, yet the owners ana Others
came before and that the property was worth
from 5000 TO $1,000 per lot We were compelled to award
$4,000 for the sunken lots at ana
TWefth-ave We cannot cural nor abrdge the area OF
territory appropriated by the Central Park Commission.
for the proposed park put are cOnpeeo 10 aecePt
tho property mapped out by them, and award the
amounts which prOperty-ovners testify the land Is
WORTH Some persons have urged that inc value OF ne
property should be estimated according to sales made Ia
1861; but the majority Of propery-owners say that we
should award them according to the present yauaon
The Commissioners have received an ntimail0n from
Judge Barnard that they have no right to assess or
appropriate the property OF the Hudson River Ralroad
aud although this opinion Is not decision OF the Court
yet to be generally accepted as the correct IN
depreciation of the statute.
Ii was urged by persons owning property fronting on
the Hudson River that the park would be OF no adVan-
tage TO them, as their land - only adapted 1Or ware,
houses and stores, and that consequently they should
not be assessed for benefit Judge Sutherland and NY
self conceded In this view aud consequently many per-
who were previously assessed nave had Their
amounts greatly reduced stricken out altogether We
shall, Thursday, afford an opportunity 10 thoee per
dissatisfied with the amount OF their assessments 10
state their for objection. We shall be glad to
hear All who may feel dissatisfied Herewith aud shall
take their views into deliberate cons Iteration. per
sOnay satisfied that property in tue vicinity of tho
park is continually appreciating, and believe tnat tho
park, If completed will make all the properly III It's
vicinity more valuable.
VIEWS OF THE CLERK OF TIE COMMISSIONERS.
reporter also called upon Geo. ii. Purser, Clerk OF
the Commissioners. He said
The value OF all property taken for public must
be xed as existing at or about the time the report
presented for confirmation, and the Commissioners Of
Awards and Assessments must therefore accept the evil
Of Eaes at that time In 1869 an attempt was made
to pass bill stating that taking land for improve
ments this principle should be changed and the Commits
sOners should allow only the actual value Of the prop
ery before the Improvement was contemplated Dut tho
AS soon as It became known that the Central Park
Commissioners had appropriated certain properly 70
constitute the Riverside Park property in that vicinity
advanced In value and has continued TO advance TO the
present time, aud every month that the confirmation o
the Commissioners report IL delayed the cost to
prOpertyOwners and the city Increases In regard 10
the matter OF the Hudson River Railroad. the law Of
equity and Justice is plain and simple If corporations
and municipal authorities at liberty to take the
property OF railroad companies assess them for local
improvements the stability OF no railroad in the country
up and inerfered with at any time by
persons whose prejudices or animosities happen
have the produce and provisions Of the West pour
ing undisturbed into lap than 70 ieOpardze the inter-
ests Of this great city merely to ada narrow strip OF
land to pleasure grounds. There are good and sui
cent reasons, also, why certain property with river
privileges should be exempt from assessment and am
been revoked by the present Commissioners The state
ment will be finished in week or ten days, and pre-
ented TO the public in explanation OF the action OF the
Commissioners.