The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-05-17
MR.. GARWOOD OBJECTED.
HE FEARS THE NEW PRESCOTT
PLACE EXTENSION.

He Thinks He Sees Combine-The
Board of Finance and Taxation
Listens to His Remonstrance and
Also to Architect Blau.
The usual dullness of a routine meeting
of the Board of Finance and Taxation was
enlivened last evening by display OF ora
torical pyrotechnics conducted by Citizen
Hamilton G. Garwood and Architect Gus
Blau. This was brought about by reso-
luton to concur in the resolution OF the
Board of Works providing for the opening
of Prescott place from Park street to Cres-
cent avenue.
The proposed street will cut through
Mr. Garwood's beautiful place, which
fronts on Crescent avenue for about one
hundred and fifty feet and is some 254
feet deep, and naturally Mr.. Garwood OBJ
iected
When the resolution was brought be-
fore the Board Commissioner Warren
asked that Mr.. Garwood be heard on the
question, and his request was granted.
Mr.. Garwood then came forward with q
bundle of photographs and maps and
asked that the other side present their
case, so that he could reply to them. The
other side, however, did not mater1alize
anu UdrWOOQ Neub Oll.
He said that the proposed improvement
would take twenty-five feet of his land,
would destroy the symmetry of his prop
erty and would ruin his shrubbery and
fruit and shade trees. His house could
not be moved without wrecking it, and it
would cost at least g, 900 to do it anyhow.
THE SAID COMBINE"
Continuing, Mr.. Garwood said =" This
combine has property on Crescent avenue
and Harrison avenue, which they des1g-
nate as splendid property. My property
is a splendid one too, and it will be de-
stroyed if this street is put through"
Whom do you mean by this com com
bine?'" sharply demanded President Datz,
interrupting the speaker.
"Why, Clifford, Philips and the other
men who are trying to get this street
through" Mr.. Garwood replied, and then
went on:-" Mr.. Benjamin Van Keuren, of
the Board of Works. told me that to cut
through that street would spoil my prop
81 have been a taxpayer in this city for
over forty years, gentlemen. have done
nv duty and paid my taxes, and | ask
nothing but justice. Is it just to my
family to ruin my property You nave
no more right to cut through that prop
erty than you have to go up there and put
my family out on the street"
ARCHITECT BLAU REPLIES.
Mr. GarWOOu DeSdH " Sco d llSUAC Va.
the subject, and President Datz checked
him. Then Mr.. Blau took the floor. He,
also. had map. Mr.. Garwood says that
the street, if opened, would be within
twenty-five feet of his house, and Mr.;
Blau insisted that it would be at least
thirty five feet away;
II deny it.'' excitedly exclaimed Mr..
Garwood, 'it's twenty-five feet"
"Come, Mr.. Garwood, be quiet" eX-
claimed President Datz, rapping for or
der: 81 allowed no one to disturb you
when you were speaking and you must
not disturb the speaker"
Mr. Blau then declared that the open
ing of the street would increase the value
of the property and make marketable
| land which can now find no purchasers.
Moreover. he maintained that it would
add largely to the taxable property of the
city and would be great benefit to that
neighborhood.
Before a vote could be taken the Board
took a five minutes recess and then
passed the resolution.
Gentlemen, you have sold yourselves
tonight" exclaimed Mr.. Garwood, as he
put on his hat and went home with his
maps and photographs.
All the members of the Board were
present at the meeting. The bonds or
several constables, and of Commissioner
Simpson, of the Board of Works. were re-
ceived. The receipts during the week
were reported by the Comptroller to have
been S33, ,560.41. Several pay rolls were
adopted. The sum of $500 was approprl-
ated for receiving basins in Bright street,
and 5000 for two receiving basins IN High
land avenue, near Bergen, and for the