The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-12
STEAM ON THE BELT RAILROAD.

ANOTHER MEETING OF THE ALpi RMANlc COM
MIITEE-ARuUMENrs OK BOTH SIDES CLOSED.
A third meeting OF tho Street COMMITTEE Of tho
Board OF Aldermen relative 10 The application OF the
Cheap Transportation Association to permit steam
freight Tho Belt Railroad was held yes
terday afternoon Two lengthy sessions have already
been occupied IN hearing arguments for and against
the proposition Additional arguments were made
yesterday on both sides, when the committee ad-
Jourued without day.
THE ARGUMENTS.
Mr. John e. Devin appeared on behalf Of Mr.. Rhine
lander, who owned tour blocks OF property on West
street. Mr.. Devn argued to the distractions
which must result from these freight cars getting
blocked up in loading and unloading, running OF the
track, and also AS TO the danger 10 foot passengers
very serious objection was the largo number or
ferries cmptying their passengers on both sides OF
the river the streets through which the Belt road
ran. The sentiments OF the people OF New York were
against tho OF steam in their streets. The move
mcut was premature. Tho Dock Department had pro-
eced the widening OF West street. anu the granting OF
such privilege would interfere materially with such
work. There were 900 licensed carmen in New York,
and this movement struck great blow at their bust
ness Mr. Devin read from an interview published In
sundays HERALD with gentleman connected with the
Central Railroad in which Il was stated that not one
per cent OF the OF New York affected by
lis terminal aclites. Tho speaker iurther commended
that the Board OF Aldermen had no power TO an-
thorze Belt road carry freight; franchise had
been gwen by the Legislature to carry passengers
alone. The statute also declared that the Common
Council should not pass any ordinance IN any way OBJ
structing The operations oil TINS road. Tho Belt Rail-
had asked tor the privilege Of running freiaht
cars by steam, and II they wanted such privilege
they would DO compelled 10 20 before the Legislature
Alderman Reilly asked tho gcntlcma comparison
accidents Hudson street, where steam Is per-
tted aud the result upon horse routes such as Sec
ond avenue and other roads.
Mr. Devlin answered That a large number OF acci.
dents happened la Hudson street, children beng killed
and horses run into. Accidents were more likely 10
and OF the horse cars. The gentleman was also Of
opinion that the value VI property on West street
would be almost entirely destroyed by the running vi
steam cars
Mr.. O. vanderburgh gave a history OF steam travel
in London ana Paris, remarkDg that New York was
nced Of rapid transl FOR her passengers than
OF anything else. Freight transportation would take
care OF Itself.
Captain AMBROSE Snow and Mr.. Benjamin p Baker
followed in support oil tho plan.
Mr. Theodore f. Lees, Secretary OF the Cheap Trans
portation Association, who had advocated the prcp0
sition several times ut previous meetings. again spoke
He mainly went over the ground covered AT the other
sessions. The commercial oodIes of tho city, com
this subject their approval IL would annually
several millions OF dollars 10 the business OF tho
city. The OF tho Belt roal Tor steam was but u
continuance OF the trunk lines through this city. II
would increase the valuo of property Probably not
moro than hour and halt would DO occupied IN
transferring these freight the road during the
night
After hearing some further remarks from Colonel
Wingate, Dir. Mix and others the commtee adjourned