The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-18
OUR NEU SHIPPING CENTRE.
Gen. Newton on the ImnrOvcment Of Harlem
River aud spuyten nuyvn Greek.
Gen. Newton has sent the following to the

Gcn. newton mas sent inc following 10 inc
Board of Aldermen:
United S'A SFu ' YSns. Sov q 'i1s7s
mon Gaancii oct ~ is7S ingsirn3 oi ma w3eticr in my
" S Of 5 r S' Staten or WIZ W. o Il S anS
p dc@s To- be- gnroys edr b S t icd
stics tai brides or other structures tie b4ilt aef9ss
honor to state aiicr some considerations at am Of TIE
ricsn hightuf - icct at high water when commerce
shil have become active ucn iho improved ch"nnris
ing low bridge. without az the same time seriously inter
ierins "i'b ,ransg@rt acrn,' ~, BRIDGE. ,-- x,rrox
Lieut. Col engineers ana B,t Major General e. s. A.
Tho task Of preparing the way for the inn
provement of the Harlem River aud OF Spuytcn
Duyvil Creek by the United States Govern
mont." Cen Newton said last evening. d" is one
Of difficulty. We drew our plans and then set
about obtaining the consent Of property hold
ers whose property would be affected to the
beginning Of work. Circulars were sent to
these property holders. but in many cases tho
consent was refused. Even one refusal would
have boon sufficient to block our progress
There are n great many claimants to be dealt
with in tho endeavor to obtain the right of way.
This applies to the channel Of the Harlem River
ms we'll as to the land 10 be- intcrscctcd by the
canal. or, rs prefer to call IL, strait from the
Harlem River to the Hudson. The Lcgis-
lnturc in the past made grants EXTEND
ing on the water front. under tho chan
mel OF the river, and even, H. nm not
mistaken. to the opposite bank. Many Of the
property holders who withhold their consent.
in my opinion do SO because they fancy that 50
much OF their properly as may not bc en-
croarhcd upon in making the proposed inn
provcment will be injured. and that the United
Stntrs, tho State. or the city will indemnify
them for Whatever property il cncroached upon.
Ihey are, in my opinion, wrong IN both "
these particulars II is not, Of course % part Of
my duty to count tho commercial advantages
that may result from the proposed improve
ment This ! leave to merchants. But |
do not hesitate TO speak Of possibilities
that are clearly visible 10 me. When this i'm
proycmcnt and tho improvements ut Hell Gate
are made. there will probably be- new ship
ping centre at the upper end OF our island.
Great ships may sail there. or be met near there
by iloulng grain elevators, or scows containing
raw materials. Property. even as far down rs
Ninciy-sccond street. will be greatly increased
IN value. In fact ,hink that property holder
would be- justified in giving half of his property
toward the right Of way for the proposed i'm
provement because the other half viii become
tho impression that the United States Cow
eminent WI not pay a cent iqr the right
appropriation s3on.OO0. for tho improvement.
II WAS distinctly provided that no part Of II
should be- paid for the right Of way. | doubt
Nnethcrthero is any greater disposition to buy
Tie right Of way on thn part OF tho LEGISLATURE
of this state or II the Board OF Aldermen of this
agemcnt il given to the property holders. who
are holding N Tor bids for the right OF way, It
may be- possible to obtain their consent to tho
beginning u work upon ths Improvement. II
= true that the property to be travcrs,i might
b. condemned: bat. then. there Is no money on
hand TO pay for IL. aud IL would be Just as UNI
said great difficulties In the way of max ING the
proposed Improvement. but / have hardly any
doubt that they viii Dee overcome. When tho
property holders of The uppor end OF the island,
oven ga FAR down as Ninety second street. real.
IN the advantages that must result from tho
Improvement they Will probably meet and
Or. when tho people OF New York come 10 tic
conclusion that they want this lnproyemeut nj