The New York herald., 1879-08-01

the Harlem, and although the time allowed in the
act Of incorporation extended for several years
nothing done beyond making the surveys.
Since then State and municipal charters have been
granted from time to time with absolutely
suit and it was not until few years ago that the
matter was brought prominently before the govern
ment with show Of success. Government surveys
were made under the direction Of General Newton
and the fact demonstrated that thorough connec-
ton like the proposed by him could be made
self-sustainng. Four lines were discussed
Eirst-Through Shernan's Greek ana Tubby Hook.
This the shortest possible route being only AGA
miles from High Bridge to the Hudson.
Second-A more northerly route, through o valley
emerging into Spuyten Duyvil Creek. a distance OF
miles.
TAird-Following the natural course Of the Harl
lem by way of Kngsbridge into the Spuyten Duyvi-
Creek. distance Of 6.A miles
FourM-Through Dykeman's Meadows and across
Spuyten Duyvl Greek. distance of 5.s7 miles.
The latter route necessitated the cutting of much
less rock than any other.
THE ESTIMATE
In the early part of last year General Newton made
the following statement in regard to the expense Of
carrying the work -
The Of TT 571 my report Of February 49,
1873 may Be reduced y es1sidsrs general Of
& tie i ae % the
fined TO making the cut simply II the appropria
cost Of the cut as ~0''o 'n'
Sandrsd and iorsyEss dollars ~hsa roek ca,
su.s stssp sss s:sp fen: end the xh s
should be added the cost q essring the Lower
$Sssio making total tor the first project to- 600 20.
70 should iesS BE- added the Of
Ing the Lower Harlem Of rocks to the depth Of
eighteen feet thus making the total cost for a. 49,.
OF sosesvs % any item likely to be %
% sys sSt SIss % ad Il VERY an ~ aS M
OF the Harlem and Spuyten Duyvi to the depths
Congress made AN appropriation Of $3O0.000 and
followed with another of 100000; the surveys Of
General Newton were accepted and indorsed by the
government. and everything ready last fall for
the commencement of the work except the procuring
Of the right of way. which at the last stood
Rs barrier to check the enterprise. On the 18th OF
January. OF this year, General Newton addressed the
Chief of Engineers at Washington as follows:-
have respectfully that the 2sth Of Decem
Scr u sent GS syswo sreSsrs eli & Of
csset sSd TusSs HOOK and BY way y y
Dykemans Meadows and spuyton Duyvii Much time
boundaries and ownership q the property affected in
Of the crcusrs 70. good reasons the PRINCIPAL
e0s
man; Hssaov. ana spuyten Dayyil
out have received. Naturally owners will refuse as
o nd be
e, Ne New na S
Of neshborinx property generally there to be
ne"
tain h that
ernment win not reimburse those owners some other
in refusal pay anything tor the
not Of snaeent to- the great State and city Of
Now YcrE insure gift Of the right way. then
the meantime (. would be well continue to appro-
work, after adoarnment Congress do mot
slider It impossible that the proper concession will be
LEGISLATIVE ACTION.
The State Legislature May 20 last made some
Important amendments to the act of 1876. This act
makes provision for the granting of the right of way
to the United States and, in of the refusal Of
property owners to permit the work to proceed on
their land for the appointment of q commission to
determine the benefits and damages to owners. The
portion OF the act whcn bears directly the all
portant question OF right OF way reads folows:-
On presenting such petition to the supreme Court as
soresad With proof Of serving copy thereof and notice.
be Affected by proceedings may show cause against
& s ses the Of The Pet Petition and
and allegations vt tn" parties and sufficient is
% ,Ssss % s'; @
York Commissohsrs OF Estimate and Asssssssnt to AS.
certain and .pps.s, the % to se made to tho
be taken for said aud the amount be
impro which shall establish
the area OF real estate which the amount
bc assesscd by them. aud which order shall fix the time
and place vt the first meeting of such commissioners
INTERVIEW WITH GENERAL NEWTON.
HERALD reporter yesterday called ON Major Gen.
cral Newton NJ his Office in the Army Building, and
had long conversation with him In regard TO the
Improvement After few moments the General. In
reply to question ns to which route had been de-
termined upon, said
''There four routes discussed originally. but
We have determined upon that through Dykeman's
Meadows. 1t is the cheapest route We can take"
1t the only routcy'
'.No; while 1t is the cheapest IL is not necessarily
The only route II anything should occur to prevent
from using it the government could take an
other"
''In that case which would you be likely to
.'The Tubby Hook route would bo the next best,
although II would cost more"
''What would be the additional costr'
"It the route were changed from shcrman's Creek |
to Tnbby Hook the additional expense would be
about $l,000.O
'.what is the distance OF the shcrmans Greek |
routey'
''Ihe distance of the route intended from the |
Third avenue bridge to the mouth OF the Spuyten |
Duyvil is hve miles and 1850 yards.
"The entire expense OF the work Is not covered |
In the estimate OF III .JU0,OO0y'
mo; that estimate covers the cost of the cut |
alone The work Will cost about s2.10OOU0 between
oa onc inrq avenue bridge and the mouth OF tho
out of the river below the Third avenue bridge 1t |
will cost about sCOO.00O more"
THAT will make the total cost about 50, 100000"
about that sum-"
How far has the matter progressed nowg''
"Evcrytbing IL ready now except the right of way. |
Congress has appropriated $4OO.UO already tho
work. but none or 1t is to be expended In tho pur-
chase of the right of way"
''How can that right be procured then p
There IL very little doubt that the advantages to
be obtained are much greater than the damages any
property owner might sustain. The Legislature OF
New York passed y bill In May amending the act of
1876 The bill provides that ia case wo cannot aprce
of IN uiv