New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-15
FOR THE ANNEXED DISTRICT.
THE SENATE COMMITTEE BEGINS ITS HEAR.
INGS.
a STATEMENT FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE OF
THE PROPERTY OWNERS AND TAXPAYERS
ACCOMMODATING FOR A SPECIAL
COMMISSIONER AND A DEPART.
MENT OF STREET OPENINGS

Mi.Nl VI SlkEf'l O1ENlNOS'
The special Senate committee. after q two days
tour Of observation through the Annexed District lie
termned to orcgo the pleasures of another days four
ney IN the mud which they had encountered on Tues
uay ana Wednesday, and begin their investigation
Yesterday The senators in the Schnorer Club
mousse One-hundred and -sXty-third-st, Third
ave, yesterday at II 80 a. m. The chairman, Sen
ator i. Ncdder, called the meeting TO order OF the
other MEMBERS Senators George T. Erwin. Charles a.
stadler and Frank =. Arnold present. Senator
ives occupied a seat with the committee. large
number OF propertyowners and taxpayers OF the Tween
ty-thrd and Twenty fourth wards present.
Matthew p. Brcen, counsel for the joint committee
OF the PrOpcrtyowners and Taxpayers Association,
opened proceedings by presenting statement which
read In part follows
Under and by the laws OF 1888 and 1884, the
territory now known the Twenty third and Twenty
fourth Wards annexed the city Of NewYork, and
the control and management Of streets avenues drain
age and sewerage conferred the Department of
Public Parks The population Of the territory, which az
the time OF the Of the less than 10000 Is
now estimated at $1,000 The duties OF the Park De-
Iartment sixteen but comparatively slight
having been simply confined control and mainpe
nance OF Central Park But the present time there
additional duties imposed upon it under the laws Of 1884,
namely to construct and maintain SIX parks situated
several miles apart ana three immense parkways, in all
aggregatng $500 Of land.
Thus while the functions OF the Park Commissioners
have been largely increased relating TO public parks,
their duties in the Twenty-Five and IWenyfoulth wards
have Increased tnOld The district has long since OUT
the condition when perfunctory duties incl
dental to the Office Of Park Commissioner meet the
demand OF a population vast and entcrprsng
In order 10 properly develop this territory 200 miles
of streets have yet to be opened and
constructed. and corresponding amount OF
sewerage and drainage established, involving an
immense Of work. To execute this requires on
the part of official having control Of such improve
menis special study, undivided attention and thorough
knowledge typographical features Of the district
Although about 100000 has been spent during the
last sNtcn years in and surveys the fact remains
maps aud lines of and have been
and are being constantly changed thus rendering
the location lines and grades Of streets, and
consequently lettering from Investing money In the
necessary Improvements OF their property Moreover the
almost impossible OF is serious i'm
pcdmeDt efficient work by the fire department Of our
| district.
We therefore respectfully pray that your honorable
body report session In favor OF
legislation will for this district the follow
ing relief
First. That the Department OF Public Parks, after May
1890 be relieved from tn control OF tie street. ave
nues sewers and drainage OF the Twentythd and Twenty
second. That special commissioners be appointed whose
500 DUTY ha be TO Locate 'y out eofI h a. s9 in"
conjunction with the Board Of Street Openings, to make
permanent maps of the district within three years from
rouFS The commissioner shall not have power to
Of the Board Of Street Openings. .,.n =. '...,
\ department
nshed this district 10 be easily accessible Dy
the people living heein OF which aforesaid commits
sioner shall be the head
Mr.. Breen then said that the Park Department had
been Informed that the investigation to be opened
yesterday morning I'm ord n that some of the com
missiOners might be present and inerpose any Oh
jecuOns which they might link proper. As none
OF them was on hand Mr.. Breen offered as a suS
gcsOn that the investigation II finished, should not
be rcOpcncd for their benefit
EX-AsSemllyman James l.. Wells, Richard ID. Ham
ilton. president OF the Property Owners and Tax
PAYERS Association OF the Twenty Fourth Wa'd. ana
John b.. Haskin, were then examined. In general
their testimony enlarged upon the pO nts presented
in the statement made by the joint committee fach
witness gave many examples Of delays in the opening Oh
streets in the district due to the negligence OF the
Park Department In vigorously following OUT tho
measures that 10 has Instituted. The witnesses I'M
pressed upon the COMMITTEES the need Of special
commissioner. who should give his entire attention
10 the needs Of the district. -
G. ID. +. Burns. secretary Of the Park department,
was introduced during the nvctga ion. and In Dcha
Of the Department requested the senators 10 appear
before the Commissioners of Parks at tlme 10
be named by the committee. Tho latter mmeiatey
dec lscd continue its meetings at the Schn0rer Cuo
house, and thai the Park Commissioners should pfSen
themselves there If they had ANYTHING OF importance
TO lay before the committee. The hearing was 'no"
adjourned until Thursday, December D. at IL a. H.