The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-15
NOT UNDER THE GAsLIGHT.

PARK AVENUE AND ITS INHABITANTS DEPRIVED
OF LIGHT-THE PARK AND GAS COMMISSIONS
SHIFTING THE RESPONSIBILITY.
The inhabitants of Park avenue have q controversy
with the Park Commission but chiefly with President
Martini they say responsible Tor the grievance
complained Of Forty feet OF the of Park ave-
nuc is an ornamental park, with openings here and
there for light aud air for the Fourth Avenue Railroad
cars. The owners OF property this avenue appear
to have had special privileges until few days ago,
and say that they could have legally prevented the
Fourth Avenue Company from laying their tracks on
this part of the road These privileges however they
yielded certain conditions to the NATION
and maintenance OF the road ana the forty feet In tho
centre gwen to the city The four lamps at
the corner OF each Of the ornamental crossings have
been lit by the Gas Commission Of tie city until about
year ago. when. alter severe legal contest between
the Gas Commission and the PARK Comm ission, tho
latter succeeded in obtaining decision that ali tho
parks of the city, including such avenues Park ave-
nue., were under tho charge Of the Park Commission
for maintenance anu lighting. The APPROPRIATION Tor
the parks by the Board OF Apportionmcnt was, how
ever, considerably reduced, and President Martin,
reducing the expenses OF the department, decided to
discontinue the lighting oil lamps in all the smaller
parks, and only partially to light Central Park, Mad
square, Union square and the Battery.
PROTEST AND PETITION.
The property owners ana residents Of Park avenue
present, petition to the Park Comm sson praying
ior tho lighting OF tho lamps in the centre OF the
nue.. THIS petition included the following influential
names, and the petitioners represented moro than
$4,000 600 worth OF property commodore GARRISON
Recorder Hackott. Cornelius Vanderbilt, Mr. LIBBY,
Brown Brothers. Howard Potter, Rev. Dr. Vincent,
Corporation Counsel Whitney, Congressman Barney,
Mr. Henry l.. Clinton, Mr.. Charles Wall and DR.. Hol-
land.
On the 2slh OF juno tho Park Commission passed
resolution authorizing the treasurer 70 issue orders
the Metropolitan Gas Lighting Association and the
Central Gas Lighting Company TO light the lamps IN
Park avenue THIS the Gas Commission refused TO
do the ground that a legal decision had been
obtained that these lamps were under the charge
OF tue Park Commission In letter to the petitioners
President Martin says that 1T would have seemed
have been The object OF the Legislature, In providing
Tor gas conmsslon, to throw additional safeguards
around such contracts. IL such object intended,
lighting the lamps upon the parks and places would
stand upon tho same footing as Lighting tho lamps
the lie respectfully suggests that fair
probation OF section 70 will include the lighting under
the Gas Commission Of the public lamps eithcr stu
ated IN the PARKS or tho streets"
During the progress OF TINS controversy the lamps
remain unlgbtcd ana the inhabitants OF Park avenue
complain that tie darkness affords large facilities TO
thieves and dangerous characters In THIS assertion
they are supported by the police of the precinct