New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-21
PROBLEMS OF THE FAIR.
SOME DIFFICULTIES TO BE OVERCOME.

| SOME DIFFICULTIES ~ O'bhN|''''
| TALK WITH j. IT. RUTrER, or THE NEw-YoFK
| CENTRAL AND HUDSON RIVER RAiLRoAD-wHAi
| THE EXPOSITION AT PHILADELPHIA HAS SHOWN
-PACTs AND FIGURES OBJECTIONS TO THE
| CENTRAL PARK SITE.
| James H. Rutter, general manager OF the new
| York Central who is a member of the Worlds Far
Committee on Sites and also the chairman OF the
Committee on Transportation, was asked yesterday
By n TRIBUNE reporter whether he was in favor OF
Central Park as the site for the proposed EXhiDton'
II cannot answer that question" he rephed'
without making an explanation. To some extent
Central Park may be excellent situation, Dut il
| explain exactly my position in regard 10 IL you
will be better able to see what my opinion 49, When
the question Of site was first discussed looked at
the subject from al entirely business point OF vew
of course, considering only what was best Tor the
Fair. subsequently was met by n gentleman, IN
terested III another manner who very strongly
urged Manhattan-square and the south emo OF
Central Park his argument being that the Guy
could not legally contribute anything toward the TX
hbtion, but might help if tue building now forming
part of the original design for the Museum OF
Natural History were completed, as the Wh0ie Oh IL
could be used for the purposes of the Fair looked
the part of the park suggested and at the present
portion of the Museum. taking also view OF the
~
view. concluded at the time that if were correct
IN my idea that the success OF the fair de-
pended to any extent upon the means OF access to
it, it would not answer the purpose, and that the
enterprise would not be successful, however much
1t would benefit the museum"
3" Did you know that majority of the Park Com
missoners had expressed themselves as opposed to
any portion of the park being used Z"
"Well. | felt satisfied that both the Park Commits
siorers and the public would refuse consent to
the use Of the most valuable part Of the Park, and
even if they did grant the use OF it, there would
be the greatest difficulty in transporting materials
for the building and the goods and machinery to be
exhibited One elevated railway and one tramway
pass the proposed Site and the only other approach
to be had is by the New-YOrk Central and Hudson
River Railroad II was impracticable also, for the
reason that at the point Of divergence, where the
entire freight traffic OF the road would pass there
are high bluffs of solid rock to be cut through, and
heavy grades to be overcome. subsequently, III
company with the committee visited other sites,
all of which seemed to be ineligible until viewed
the territory north of the Park between Fourth and
Elghth-aves., observation-disclosures and One-hun-
fifth-5ts. [ had learned that it
was the general opinion of the committee that the
Fair should be held Oh Manhattan Island, and did
not, therefore, pay much attention to the other
points suggested but confined my thOnghts to the |
territory north of One-hundred and-tenth-st. and
Inwood"
MATTERS OF TRANSPORTATION.
a. Are you not also chairman of the Committee on
Transportation :"
Yes, and was largely governed in my views by
that did not believe that the Exposition conld be
success unless proper facilities for this very i'm
portant element were Prov died. not only for passen
gers during the Exhibition but for goods before and
after it, as well as material to be used in c0nstruc-
ton Of the buildings | was especially Impressed |
by the language of ID. Tory, chef OF the Bureau |
of Transportation of the Centennial Exposition at
Philadelphia, who in his report says:
"'rhe labor preparing for exhibition ofsuch mag
nitudc attended by many perpleXmg uncertainties;
and department OF the general Work are these |
manifest than in the trans oraton very little he
known in advance Of the quantity OF goods or
the OF articles OF exceptional weight or
Dimensions winch will be received, though this intor
nation great value determining the character and
extent of facilities to be provided. Arrangements |
Tor receiving goods at such large exhibitions |
must be determined mainly from special CON |
sderaOUs created by peculiaues OF loca- |
The problem should be considered by expert at the
very Inception of the enterprise. and all railroad tracks
needed to facilitate the rapid and cheap transportation
buildings, and the making general preparations
should Do located to be available IN handing
nib without mourning additional expense Tor changing
thcr location, In adapting them to terminal service
also learned from his report that The total re-
ceipts OF goods the Centennial Exposition, by rail-
road and otherwise, were as follows: