New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-22

I
COMPLAINTS OF SIXTH AVENUE BUSINESS PEo-
! PLE-oPEXfNG OF THE THIRD AVENUE ROAD.
! The heavy mortgages executed b. ths MetropOll.
! tan Elevated Railway Company still attract at
tentiOn. The officers refuse TO give any nforma-
ton, asserting that the public has rignt TO inter-
ere ia the matter In relation possible suits for
damages, the views aud complaints of persons liv-
ing doing business on the line of the road Lave
beeH obtained The New York Elevated Road, in
Third-aye. will be opened on Monday. ~
THE METROPOLrTAN's PROPOSED BONDS.
INFORMATION REFUSED BY THE cOMPANYs OFF,
CERs-wHAT IS SAID ABOUT POSSIBLE SUITS
FOR DAMAGES.
In relation to the mortgages recently exc
cuted by the Metropolitan Elevated Railway, prominent
banker stated Yesterday ut has rather qneer look
the mysterious air OF secrecy hanging the affairs Of
this corporation win not aid il in floating its bonds Il
is very singular TO pursue Here Is rich cor
poration granted privileges of very extensive eharac
by the City Of NewYork, Offering its bonds for sale
and yet, answer to Inquiries for information which
every purchaser OF its bonds entitled to- the answers
given that IL is OF the pubcs business. For my
part think the public has a right TO know all aboutt
II the road only $3.50 900 mile mOrtgaged
for 81 800 900 mile. the public has decided rghtto
know what is done with the S1.15OO00 mile which
is raised in excess OF It's cost The interest on this ex-
cessive will have TO be paid by the public in the
shape excessive fares In fact 1t is this public
that will pay the interest all these and
mortgages, and il they have right TO know some
thing about it. who has I"
At the Office Of the Metropolitan Road yesterday. re-
porter OF THE TRIBUNE told that the company had
information TO give concerning its financial matters
at piece Of mpeTtnence the part OF the public
to ask for such information" said Mr.. Body secretary
and treasurer. Regarding suits for damages" he con-
tinued that is also private matter, and business
of the public We trying experiments to reduce the
noise the road but think plan has yet been de-
cided Most all plans submitted make Of elt in
a basis for lessenng the noise. In
gard to the reduction Of fares to cents, think that
may possibly be done. am personally in favor Of the
reduction"
General Horace Porter, director refused to talk on
the subject, and other officers equally reeent
gardng the road, and especially when the subject Of
the recent mortgages was preached.
reporter visited many Of the merchants and resi-
dents along the line OF the Metropolitan Road yesterday,
and obtained their views regarding the road, and
action if any, likely to be taken against its further
operation in Its present shape There seemed 20 be
very general feeling that the road working great IN
jury TO the pTopertyhOders and residents. Attention
called by several persons TO the fact that In about
every block along Slxthave. there signs
"to let" displayed in windows and doOrways.
These signs principally OF rooms and apart
ments for dwelling purposes. The ineessant noise,
il was said, was driving residents away to more quiet
neighbOrhOods, and prOperty-hoders and small shop
Keepers very much depressed in consequence.
While the large shOpkeepers not united IN their
opinion Of the effect Of the road on business the small
dealers whose business is mainly from persons living in
or near the avenue about unanimous in the denun-
citation OF the road. While good many stated that they
were ready join any movement for recovering dam
ages they seemed generally to regard It almost
hopeless undertaking The senior proprietor in two
large mercantile establishments the stated
that no willing TO Subscribe $4,000 TO light
the road"
petition was circulated in the business houses and
among property-owners yesterday. There were about
$500 signatures II, composed OF the names Of the
principal business men and residents in sx!h-aYe. IL
will be presented TO the Grand Jury. number OF
tho sgners said this failed 70 them relief they
would commence personal suits for damages. The
petition asks for the indictment Of the Metropolitan Ee-
waited Railroad the following The noise aud
rattle is so great business has to be suspended during
passage Of and every train; the occupants Of the
buildings affected by the noise that they are made
nervous and their health seriously impaired all persons
areuIey deprived of sleep until after the trains cease
running at night aud after they commence running
trains at halfpast in the morning. eindeTs, smoke,
steam sparks aud coal gas continually forced into
stores and dwellings; oil, hot water, Goals Of fire and
ashes are cOntiouay being dropped upon people
ing under the structure property upon the whole line
of the road has been diminished in value az least one
half The petitioners promise to establish these charges
by overwhelming testimony.
SOURCES OF POSSIBLE SUITS.
Mr. Altman, OF b. Altman & Co.. No 300 slxth-aye.,
said: There is altogether much noise and think
more than necessary 1t is annoying that we have
sent in a protest about the matter to the company to-
day The smoke and cnders are very disagreeabe aud
will have a bad effect on business"
Mr. Love- OF No. 3l3 SiXth-avc., said: s. think that
tho is very great ANNOYANCE and an outrage on
the business aud residents along the line OF tie
al QepIeClaJeu
ar Fanaan real estate agent OF No $50 sixth-ave
said There doubt that the road Is depOpulaJng
the avenue residences are concerned. People
arc moving away. unable % stand the noise. Iuqurers
for property 20 rnut invariably want to get least
block from the road Real estate has greatly depre-
ciaed ia value in consequence OF tho road and there
are many bitter complaints from property owners"
Lewis j. Conger, Of No. 6Ol slxthaye., said The
ness In fact think the road will change the entire
character OF the l Is already driving every
body away who can get away. IL Is Impossible 10 pc
come used 10 the noise the operating OF the road in
such manner Is great outrage on propertyoWnefs
aud residents IN the avenue"
Mr. TnfOrd, OF Park riford said Tho noise Is
simply terrible II is impossible 10 transact business,
especially with lady, during the passage OF aiD
Whether viii takO legal action IL the noise Is not
retail coniectoner stated that his business had been
nearly ruined since tho road had been In operation.
physician stated thar the effect OF the noise very
Injurious the health of the residents within reach Of H.
II had largely decreased nervous complaints and ahec-
lions OF tho head and number OF patients had to
be removed from the avenue, as they were unable 70
stand the noise IL was especially bad In its effect
little children and aged persons.
statement IN circulation on stNthave. yesterday
from which the following extracts are made THE
Metropolitan Railway has beeu running nova little over
two months. Time and again has the company de-
luded people with promises OF esSenng the noise
hut II IA possible to discover abatement During
all this have asked ourselves Ia Il possible mat
any man with human heart ask bis brother man 10
sacrifice his property and every comfort for the az
grandizenent OF souess corporation L99k az IT.
Here " what termed civilized community holdngout
the idea that private rights are protected ana cruelty
ment which allows thousands VI Its taxpayng citizens
not only be hourly tortured by this insunersOle n9
slnce but 10 openly robbed OF tho savings OF NE
time OF toll priVatOn, 10 bolster up hdeOus mo-
nOpoy, Is 10 possible that We, who have purchased
prope " under the constitutional guarantee that pr
sbo be public