New-York tribune., 1886-04-21
THE REAL ESTATE TRANSFER BILLS.
THE LOT SYSTEM PASSED BY HE SENATE AND RE-
pnErED FAYOkABLY II TIE ASSEMBLY,.


PORTED FAvoRABLY N THE ASSEMBLY
ALBANY, April 20 Especial. The attention
OF all persons interested IN real estate in NewYori is
now turned toward the proposed action of the LeSis
lature touching the accommodations OF the Land
Transfer Commissioners Upon the absolute necessity
for some change IN the methods OF transferring
and recording instruments affecting real estate, and in
regard to many other important reforms. tho Comnns
sioners been substantially agreed Bat IN regard
to the change that Is perhaps the most important OF
alI-the method OF indexng real estate nsruments-a
radical din of opinion has arisen that is
dividing conyeyancing lawyers and real estate Dealers
as well as the Commission ITSELF into two unyieding
and opposing bodies. \ majority OF the Commission.
composed OF Mcssrs. southmayi, Rker, Strong
and Coggcshan. support what IS distinguished the
lot system"-that is, the city lot. ordinarily
25 feet By l0O taken the unit basis and all instru
mcnts affecting any particular lot are lndexed not
now against the OF owners etc. but against the
numbers which that lot bears the purpose being to COL
Icct the nlcx opposite each lonumbor record Of all
instruments file that affect aud show at glance
the chain Of title" In the language OF the majority OF
the COMMISSIONERS "tnc lot system absolutely puts
end to searching. All the entries affecting lot any
part OF being required be made the page OF that
lot certified copy OF the page gives all the Information
we now derive from search IN q very much shorter
time AMI substantially without expense and the
ness Of tle question Of the
ness of the COPY"
II this plan could practically be carried out without
any serious difficulties 1t seems to be admitted al
that it wculd ldra system and would the
grlvest Of the troubles tnat have surrounded the
transfer OF real estate IN tho metropolis But Mr..
Olmsead, the commissioner who makes the
minority report, contends that II IS not
only impracttcabe but "A dangerous experiment. HIS
p.an called the bocA STEM. makes the city
bOcg unit aud instruments filed In the Registers OF
the block III which the property
affected situated IL Is contended that the city blocks
being xcd ana unehanging Ia their boundaries afford
the only sale basis tor titles To rest upOL.
The views OF those who oppose the lot system
sharply outlined Henry l.. Clinton phlot that
tO the neiIbCIs OF the Legislature. II
lot adopted the enormous expense OF making
surveys ana maps would cosstae the OF the
tax mans the basis for the Land Register Index Mr.
Clinton points out that these maps imperfect aud
uutrIswOrthy and are constantly changing f titles
real estate were controlled by thcse maps which some
grossly inaccurate he asserts that tho result
protect themselves by iudrXins their
neghbors lands, apparent " cloud d" would at once
rect upon the tile oi the laud Inde xei
against that could perhaps only be removed by pro-
actcd mtg alton. Moreover to pieces Of
property might he JroparlEed lost by the clerical
OF "a cOpyis mistakng the number OF the lot.
the index would be notice Ia ali subsequent pur-
chases the grantor, outstanding the deed
rect and properly recorded. might sell the property To
bona nio purchaser aud the first pure haser lose
everything. These only - few or the many OBJ
Jections that aIe urged To this plan.
But The advocates of tho .O ayztem far from idle
and, indeed. at present have many advantages. Inc
division Of opinion shown among the members OF the
Ncwfork Bar Association az ts last meeting. called
discuss this subject not evenly balanced than
the general seItmcnt upon the side and the
that makes Its nurnce felt upon tho Legislature.
The advocates of the lot system by tue