Morning journal and courier., 1889-07-27
COMMITTEE ON sTREnrs.

The Dewitt strees Extension-It IL
Referred to the Corporation Counsel
to Ascertain the Legal Rights OF the
Property Owners.
About dozen residents from Dewitt
street appeared before the committee on
streets last night to be heard in reference to
the extension of that street through the base
ball grounds. The extension was ordered
seventeen years ago and the benefits and
damages were assessed. About $1,000 has
been collected of these assessments. Last
night persons who had paid 1907 of this ap-
pearsd and all favored the extension. Dan
Kelly figured as the leader and he threatened
to put an injunction on the New Haven
Amusement company if the street was not
put through, although he failed to show what
the company had to do with the extension Of
the street. Alderman Foote spoke in favor
of the extension as representative of De-
Witt street resident. Nearly all who appeared
called the ball ground a nuisance, and this
seemed to have considerable influence on
those who appeared in taking the course they
have. Mr.. Doherty said there was nothing
but tramps about his house since the bail
grounds were put up. A gray haired man of
Arthur street objected strenuously because
an addition to the fence had been made on
Arthur street.
E. R. Whiting, who resides on Kimberly
avenue, objected to the extension because If
extended it would cut through his property,
and also because the original plan of the ex-
tension had been abandoned. He said that
no necessity existed for the improvement.
He said those present knew that the original
plan for the extension was given up when the
Lamberton street bridge was built. AS q
taxpayer, he would object to paying for an
other bridge. He said that to make up for
the damage done him he rented the top of
his shed to people who wanted to see the ball
games.
President Macdonald of the Amusement
company spoke against the extension, saying
that persons representing only about third
of the money that had been collected were
represented. The damages assessed seven-
| teen years ago were 49, of
which $1,000 had been paid in,
and persons who had paid $607 had
been heard. He said that this Improvement
was looked upon as abandoned when the
Lamberton street bridge was made. He ex-
planned that the amusement company had
| spent nearly $4,000 in fitting up the ball
ground, and that every dollar of it had been
spent in New Haven, and still they come
| here and want to have the company throw
away that money. The street never was
opened, and those who nao USED IL as an out
let previous to the establishment of the ball
ground to either Lamberton street or Howard
avenue had trespassed on private property.
He thought the money the property ownera
had paid for the improvement should be re-
mitted.
Vice President Harvey Munson thought 1t
would be bad policy to order the extension, az
ii would be a great expense to the city to put
q bridge across the track. He said that
/ -nnd tho up0nnd had
much property to pay assessments on as all
those who were represented: He stated
that Mr.. futile did not pay his assessment
city. It has been released, and that seemed
| in itself an admission that the plan had
been abandoned. He thought the petition
ers should be given leave to withdraw.
In executi fesession the Commute decided
| to refer the matter to the corporation coun-
sci, to ascertain the legal rights of the prop
erty owners,