The New York herald., 1879-12-14
PROPERTY OWNERS IN CAUCUS.

THE WEST SIDE OF THE CITY DESIGNED Ex-
CLUsIvELY FOR THE RIcH-BIG HOUSES ONLY
TO BE BUILT.
special meeting Of the West Side Association was
held at their rooms. No. Ga West Thirty-fourth
street. last night to discuss the question Of what
kind Of buildings should be put up the west side
Of the city. Mr.. Dwight w. Omstead. the pres-
dent. occupied the chair. and among those present
were John Bigelow. ex-Secretary Of State Of New
York State; John D. Crimmins and Henry Searle
of Washington. D. G. In opening the meeting Mr..
Olmstead claimed that Riverside avenue ought
to be improved. and stated that the Board of Alder
men would soon be called upon to authorize the
grading and paving Of Eleventh avenue. He stated
that in short time bills would be prepared for pre-
sentation to the next Legislature all of which, if
passed. would tend to improve the west side. and he
asked those present to send suggestions
ing them. Among the bills referred to would be
one for opening all streets the west side any
other part of the city by single judicial act
ond bill would be to prevent the making of bogus
contracts by parties who bid low with the intention
Of performing the work. at the same time CIV
ing bail that everything would be carried out
as specified. third bill provides for the improve
ment OF Manhattan Morningsde and Riverside parks.
A fourth bill covers the improvement of Eleventh
avenue A fifth IL to facilitate the transfer ana pas
sage OF real estate. In this connection the speaker
thought that real estate should be transferred
with the same facilities as personal property.
and he claimed that If such an act were passed /.
would capitalize real estate and enhance its value
thirty per cent. The other bills included o new
buildin. law and new law for the Park Depart
ment. restoring the position Of superintendent of
design. Mr.. Olmstead then called for the views
OF those present as to how, when and Of what ma
terih buildings should be put up on the west side.
be rst class with plenty of light and good yentla
tlon He said that the rents must not
be too high il the owners wanted to coax
1,aAlx NAuy xuhn had AaA
better get good class Of tenants at the start. be-
when built it would be very difficult to get rid of
them. He insisted that no three story buildings
should be erected; but that at tie least doqr stories
Tenth avenue, and on the Boulevard buildings with
stores should be erected but he was in favor OF pr
vate dwellings in the side streets.
SMALL HOUSES CONDEMNED.
Mr.. Simeon l.. Church followed in o similar
STRAIN. condemning the erection small houses and
insisting that none but first class should be
put up. He said that some people thought the west
side ahead of time. and that expensive build
ings not wanted there yet. but he claimed that
since the a. road had been finished lots ought to
pay from $1,000 to 81, 500 per annum. He referred
erect two blocks of small houses the west side
for the accommodation or clerks and their families
and said that he was happy to be able to deny 1t on
the word Of Russell Sage one of the principal men,
bers OF that association.
MIR. John d. Crimmins differed somewhat with the
other speakers He said that he afraid they
too much in saying what class of tenants
they must have. He had great deal of experience
in the east side property, and he found that small
houses on the Philadelphia plan nc by 45) net with
greater favor in many localities than large and first
class flats. 10 his own knowledge ffty-four of
these houses had been put up in short time. and
long before they were finished they were all let to
good tenants. He maintained that small houses
were not objectionable to any neighborhood. He
thought it good idea OF the building association
spoken OF to put up small houses for the OF
clerks and others who could not afford to pay heavy
rents, and he said, rs property owner in Ninety
third street. between Ninth and Tenth avenues, the
neig ghborhood where it is intended to erect such
houses he would extend those parties hearty well
come. He claimed that people would not come from
the suburbs unless they got cheaper rents and bet
ter apartments, and he thought the best way to do
was simply to meet the demands of the public.
Mr.. John Bigelow of the opinion that the
question of west side building would settle itself
He claimed that the attention of men of wealth
would be attracted that part of the city, aud that
they would allow no poor people to live there. lie
insisted that tenement houses would be
erected the west sde aud said 1t would be easier
to put up such buildings on Murray Hill. He al
luded the great attractions of the Hudson River,
the Riverside drive. the Riverside avenue and the
different parks in that vicinity. and he asserted that
nature had determined that property on the west
side should be occupied by wealthy people.
After speeches from Mr.. Henry L. Searle and
of hers the meeting adjourned.