New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-12
FOR AND AGAINST THE SITE.
THE PROPOSED CUSTOM HOUSE.
DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS ENTHUSIASTIC OVER
SECRETARY WINDOWS DEcIsIoN-ARGU-
MENTs AGAINST 1T.

MENTS AGAINST IT.
The decision of the Secretary of the Treasury con-
corning the Bowling Green site for the new Custom
House and Appraisers Stores was the subject OF
great deal OF discussion in business circles yesterday
That there Is s likely TO be struggle before these
buildings occupy the site chosen by Secretary Window
Is evident. The downtown merchants seem TO be al
most unanimous in their opinion that the Bowling Green
site is the best one and they loud in their praise
of the wisdom shown by Secretary Window In his
selection. John A. Stewart OF the Union Trust COM
Ipny, at No. 10 walst., speaking on the subject said
that though he not merchant, and consequently
could not speak Of II from merchants point OF view,
still he thought the selection excellent one. When
the Secretary of the Treasury made the choice he must
have had the growth of the cities surrounding New
York in mind. and he doubt, actef for the good OF
the Port of New.York rather than for NewYork City
In Mr.. Stewards opinion Mr.. Window had taken into
consideration the fact that there were many ware
houses the Brooklyn side OF the East River, the
owners of which did large business with the Custom
House and the Appraisers Stores.
Alexander F. Orr, of the Produce Exchange.
was enthusiastic over the decision and
could not say too much in praise of
the Secretary's action. yes" he said,
" that is the site and the only site. Why, do you
hnow,' he continued that 90 per cent Of the money
collected merchandise entering this port is goods
which landed in Brooklyn, and that the dry
goods imported amount TO only % per cent of the
whole? Now, it seems TO me- that since the Score
tary of the Treasury has acted wisely in the Sc
lection OF a site, after thoroughly investigating the
subject, NewYork ought to have a Custom House in
proportion to the amount of which is collected
here. Look at some of the Federal buildings I'm
Western cities and compare them with ours, and then
compare the revenue collected there with the amount
collected here and how much better treated they
are than New-York is. During the two years and
eight months while Mr. Magone was Collector the
amount collected here between 1904 900 900 aud
$500 900 900. In view Of these figures ought not
this city to have Custom House OF which tho cti-
might be proud - Mr. Orr also thought that the
SubTrcaSury and the Assay Office ought to occupy the
proposed buildings.
A prominent downtown real estate dealer who did
not want his name used said that there doubt
that the selection Of the Bowling Green site for the
Custom House would enormously enhance the value of
property in that neighborhood. One man. he knew,
had already bought property after hearing of the Sec
retaTy's decision, Tie thought that the Government
would have to condemn nearly all Of the property 10
get hold of IT, because just soon it known
that the Government wanted It many OF the owners
would ask exOrbitant prices for their property The
assessed value of he property contained in the three
blocks bounded the north by Bowling Green,
and south by Safest. and east by Whitehals,
and lnerscced by Pearl and Bridge sts, is al 634 600
This assessed value is considered about 60 per cent
of the real value, which, at that ratio, would be
SO, 43ss O6 According to the authority already quoted
where property IS taken by condemnation pro |
ceedngs the commissioners usually allow the
about % per cent moe than the
sum for which the same property could
be bought private sale. This would put the purchase
price for the proposed site at $3O4s.507. There
about seventy-two city lots in the three blocks and
the property and the assessed valuation Of each piece
Is as follows
Bowling Green-No. l. William Cooper $4,000; No. o |
oerchs Co., $4,000 No. 3, H. c. Vanpoust. s4S, 900
No L. A. Hemenway $4,000; No ). c. Vanderbilt SO,
600 c. l.. Cadwalaler, s4s 600 No :. Harre;
w. Bergman COO.
state-st.-Nos. and ., J. NJ. W. Giles. s45 900 No.
g. Louis Curtis SD 900 No 4, j. Ogden s25 600 No. g.
George Jones and No. 20 Pears in the rear. obned by
Henry NayOr, $50 COO No G, Benjamin Aynar. and No
Pearl-st, owner. s32 COO No T. J. j. Rierdon,
10000; No. g. w. c. Fsrr. $4,000 Nos. o. 10 and H.
Patrick Dolard $50 OO0; No. IL, John Doar S23, 900
Nos 10, II. 10 and 10, owned by Dean Fish, AMI No
Pesrst owned by j. c. Henderson, $4,000; Nos. II
and IS, G. n. Moller sos 600 Nos o. D. % and "a IT,
A. CheesbrOu2h, No 1 Pearst, owner. and Nos.
and state-st., owned by Isaac W. Coles 100000.
Pearl-st., not already mentioned-No T. A. Smith |
eos 900; No. g. E. c. Johnson 600 Nos 49, Is and
IL A. Smith, SOS 0o0 No. 49, Mrs Jacque So O00 No
81 +. s. Whitney, 90, 600; No 23 L. S. whitney |
10000; No. g. A. l.. Myer. $4,000 No s, Jeha Kayser
go 900; No. 10, John DOard, $1,000 No. 10 S. Allen
30 0c0; No 12a IL. Morton. 81 600; No. H. William |
Remsen 80 600 No 1G, J. J. Johnson 900; part OF
No. 20 Henry Naylor $1,000; No. % Nos 80 and
80 Whitehal-st., J. J. johnson, $50 o0O
Whtehall-st., not already menuoned-Nos. 10 and a.
J. Richardson, $1,000; No d. W. j. Preston 500 900;
No. "a, Meyer Kahn. $1,000; No 49, F. S. whitney,
s20o O0 Nos. %, 80 and &c. William b. Cooper $50 900;
Nos. "a and 3ila, w. Ppke, $4,000 Nos 40 and A. j.
NJ. & w. Giles 10000.
The lots on the north side Of Pearl-st run through
to Brdge-st. Those the north side Bridgest are
as follows: Nos and 5. L. Dewitt SEQ oOO and Nos
g. and II, W. J. Paudlng, s55 O0O
Those who are in favor of the Bowling Green site
are not 10 have things all their own way. however
Ever since the proposed building has been TALKED
about the uptown merchants especially the dry
goods importers, have been bitterly opposed TO a
dOwntown site, and they have not changed their
opinions now. movement Is already on foot to
protest against the proposed site being nsed. S1ch
iGHis as W. IL !. sloane and Park 4 Tiford and
hundreds of others VIII do all I'm their power 10 pre-
won't the Appraisers Stores being taken any further
downtown than they already.
Collector Erhar1t and Appraiser Cooper refused
to talk about the matter.