The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-09


spected Rip Van Wrinkles here object q little
gentle force, used with discretion by the Park
commissioners, Will set matters right. Twenty or
thirty large estate owners (who produce little or
nothing In the way OF improvements should not
De allowed to o6struct City progress. They must
give way TO thousands Of the industrious classes,
VINO VIII mock here so soon as the opportunity Is
Afforded them, all going swell the tax receipts,
ana SO make annexation profitable by keeping
this class OF wealth at home. We should then have
spectators building here Though sometimes
ques rionable), who have added largely to the city
proper 1t Is for the Building Department to Judge
the kind Of buildings required,
FRAME HOUSES AT A MODERATE COST
should not be objected TO when flied in with brick,
as they are almost a. safe from fire as II all brick.
and can be made much more ornamental at moder-
ate cost to meet the requirements OF those who
need them. The Department OF Buildings Though
highly proper should use much discretion in deal
ing with applications for building here, as II too
exactng they VIII defeat the object sought by an
nexation. Neat frame cottages, when occupied by
their owners are much less liable TO take fire than
your large city mansions, containing hot air fur
naces-a continual source OF danger. There are
thousands OF respectable mechanics, clerks and
Others in the city, who have $500 to So 900 in
bank. Those with families en- q low average pay
$500 per year rental, for four five rooms in q
house with other families, often on a dirty
might buy lot out this way for cash, and by Dor
handsome cottage, where they might
interest on the loan With 0A taxes added
would not exceed the rent paid for small apart
doctors bills, IN medicine ana IN foregoing many
useless luxuries miserable city life induces them
to indulge H. Here with green fields, pure air, aye
a land n
spire them with new liie Twenty-Five years ago
tried it with $780, and here am. To own lot of
should be taken that all work is done by contract
not by days work, under the direction OF honest
or We shall be swamped by the hungry hoard who
are now laying plans for all sorts OF fat jobs under
at the same said property owners are totally
ignorant or their little game until caught in the
meshes.. Any man who advocates doing public
work BY the day (only where absolutely ne
cessarV l set down as q knave or fool.
could say much on this subject, but 1t is
know let him visit the public works up town and
be satisfied as am. that for every ST. 900 expended
on days work $500 would be good price by con
doing IN Harry Genets district, and the end is not
yet. one OF the greatest impediments in the way
OF building here Is the present tax on mortgages.
Any amount OF money In large or small sums could
be obtained were it not for this unjust law.
WHEN YOU APPLY TO BANK LAWYER OR BRoKER
they will demand ten per cent bonus. This they
call expenses. These people have matters so
situations and divide the spells with them. II you
want to borrow $4,000 you make mortgage to
some dummy who IS supposed to sell the same, less
usury. Nor does the trouble stop here. The ava
rice OF our money brokers such that in most cases
they VIII only take mortgage for q year or
ten, and then you must come down with another
bonus or pay up the mortgage Thus, while the
some good churcamen who do this They Will tell
you money. like any other commodity, is gov
they hoard as much as possible to increase the de-
mand. do not suppose to repeal the tax would
change the spirit Of these Shyocks; but am sat
tsfed that were 1t done
80 MUCH MORE MONEY WOULD SEEK INVESTMENT
In improved real estate because their occupation
would be gone TO great extent. friend OF mine
was offered $4,000 10 loan on buildings here II he
would guarantee six per cent clear OF the tax. 1t
could not be done honestly so the money went else,
where. In most cases the state has been swindled
out OF the tax by onsetting the same with assumed
Indebtedness dor the time being and other well
known devices. Repeal the tax on mortgages and
an immense amount OF money now lying idle in
banks which pays no tax would seek building
loans. All business connected Herewith would
improve work would be given many idle hands
and the State would reap a larger income from
these improvements than il does now on mortgages.
/ perceive that the Commissioners about to
make a rigid eXaction Of the tax incomes from
mortgages here. l repeat there are many VINO
evade The tax on the plea OF its unjustness Three
fourths OF the properly holders here have mort
cages on their premises. They are in most cases
Comparatively poor but industrious people, and
ness, find 1t difficult to meet ordinary expenses.
Should general demand be made upon them 10
pay their mortgages (which this tax extOrton Will
lead toy at the present time in very many cases the
property would 60 into the hands OF the Sheriff.
A MORE UNJUST AND OPPRESSIVE TAX
could not be imposed upon deserving class, as,
though not direct one, the result is all the same.
1t makes the poor poorer and the rich richer IN
every sense OF the word. 1t Is un. American, and
hnna Mr. ~
to bring about It's repeal during the session OF the
present Legislature. Ii the rural districts want
such law let them have 1t, but exempt the city OF
New York. Now, as to the mode of getting here,
not much can be said that has not been repeated
over and over again. We Lave SIX splendid steam,
boats, perfect models in their way Tor speed and
comfort. Those, together with three lines OF rail-
ways, prove as you are aware, quite inadequate
for presenttravel, so we cannot expect people to
come here until we have better means Afforded
Tor their transportation. SO much has been said
about quick transit that l don't wonder tnat
new charter being granted for road
to run underground. over tops OF houses, through
blocks. or some other impossible route. All the
charters for quick transit seem to be obtained for
the express purpose OF humDugging the people.
The fact is, the powers that be do not want quick
transit. so they get up
ALL SORTS OF SCHEMES IN ORDER TO SATISFY PUB
Lie CLAMOR,
well knowing II toGe impossible to execute them.
A wear ago was at a meeting OF the Twelfth Ward
Citizens and Taxpayers Association When the
subject OF rapid transit was discussed committee
Gilbert Elevated Railway. They were assured that
two or three immense works were running night
and day. with large force OF men preparing the
works, aud That It's erection would commence
forthwith. Our committee were delighted Qnno-
cent sous), and have no doubt tnat If the same
committee would cali upon them to-day they
would have the same report TO make. There
are so many simple and eGectual means
OF quick transit available, on which i'm
mense revenues could be realized 1t only
remains for the city or State to adopt the most
practical plan and grant the right under certain
proper restrictions mot made Impossible to COM
ply with TO induce hundreds OF capitalists to
invest therein. Why, 100000 would build 1t
not underground, not over housetops, not through
Broadway nor around the island tall impossible
plans Tor immediate use) but through the present
great outlet-Ihird avenue What plan Is more
simple tnan an elevated road from Chatham square
TO Harlem Bridge over the present tracks There
is no necessity OF going further down town. no
turnouts, no cuts TO make. Is would be almost q
crowding Is the two or three blocks below Canal
street. and that Is mostly sidewalk travel moth