New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-08-08

property-owners along the road, shall affect
tho engineers and Commissioners in making
the road deyiate from the tangent which it
now naturally follows to the passage of tho
Harlem.
But no such powerful considerations OF
utility and commercial interests urge the
adoption of the plans for the development at
the general expense of that part of the island
north of Northumberland ifty-ninth-st. and
west of the Kingsbridge-road. The only argu-
ment in favor of causing the Boulevard at
One-hundred- and fifty ninth-st. to diverge
westward for something like three or four
blocks in order to wind along for more than
three miles ON top of tho Fort Wash
incton ridge and back again into the
Kingsbridge- road, il that 1t VIII beau
tify and develop that part OF the city.
The same argument is all that is advanced as
far IA we can learn, to justify the proposed
road laid down on our map between the Bou-
Ievard extension and gsbrdge-road, and
which is so new and secret a scheme that no
name has yet been given it. The demand for
these two roads is purely sectional, and there
will be little question in most minds, particularly
of East Side property owners, who VIII nave
to bear heavy taxes TO pay their nan
of tho general levy for the expense of opening
these roads, that it is simply speculative de-
mand. 1t is impossible not to share III the
belief that the roads, if ever opened, will en-
bellish part of the city naturally most PIC
turesque and best adapted for residences, and
residences only; and recognizing, perhaps, In
a higher degree than most persons who have
devoted little study to the citys material de-
velopment, the need of such sites for future
residences, We are disposed to attach consid-
cradle weight to these arguments. The en-
bellishment of the city by such undertakings
rs are now contemplated is, to our
view, an effective method OF en-
riching it materially. There is really no
means of calculating the value to all parts OF
the city. or the effect in the development of
its remoter districts, of such improvements 2s
those we point out and illustrate; and there
can, therefore, be no estimate of what pro-
portion the city at large should bear. But 1t
will be very hard to make the tax-paying
portion believe that "a just proportion is one"
| half. or to convince any one that the improve
ment is an imperative demand of the moment.
| All are satisfied that the immediate widening
of the Kingsbrdge to the Harlem VIII
at once help to develop immensely the West
| Side; but there is no good reason to most
mems minds why the other two schemes should
not wait awhile, until we breathe a spell and
come TO understand a little more clearly to
| what dimensions all these mighty improve
ments are going to swell the city and county
| debt.
Another and a delicate point presents itself,
which might as well be considered by every
body concerned in these schemes. There
never was at the worst period of Tweed's
| swindlng term single scheme which seemed
to have on its face more fraud than either
of these two for the improvement of the
Fort Washington region. 1t may be hon
esty which is thus artless. AT any rate
there are so many preeedents, which are to
| public officials uDanswerabe arguments, for
lust such schemes, that they are actually
obliyious to any improperly on their part.
But the plans which we describe and illustrate
| by map that the scheme may be made all
the more apparent to the dullest intellect, have
much that is suspicious about them. And
this people at the present time are specially
Jealous OF everything that appears to conceal
a "iob." 1t is consequently wisest to avoid tho
old Ring method of doing public business in q
ssecret manner; and the two departments
which have quietly prepared these schemes,
and which are now at conflict over the ques-
ton of jurisdiction in the matter, may yet be
fighting to relieve themselves of all response
! bility for originating untimely, not TO say
! doubtful, measures.