New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-17
THE FUTURE OF NETWORK
A COMMISSION TO ENLARGE ITS AREA


SOME OF THE FEATURES OF THE PRoJEcT-THS
DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION WILL BE
ONLY TO DEFINE AND REcoMMEND
II Assembiyman Crosby's bill to define snow the
boundaries Of the City Of New.York becomes a law.
the city of the next generation win be giant In con-
trast with the New-York Of to-day. The developments
of the plan only b. its orginators say grsdus
The bii means simply that commission shall be sp
pointed which shall not have power 10 make any
change. but shall ascertain carefully what tho
natural boundaries of New-York for the next half
century. AT such times II may consider necessary
the commission will report to tho Legislature tho
subject, with such recommendations may be found
desirable with the legislature and the people viii
then rest the option Of carrying such recommends
Hons.
The commission, as proposed by Mr. Crosby's bill,
Is to consist Of six persons named by the Mayor
Of New York, by the Mayor Of Brooklyn aud one
each by the Supervisors Of westcheser Queens Kings
and Richmond counties and with these are named IN
the bi Andrew II. Green,J. s. T. stranahan Frederick
". Devoe. John Foord. Calvert vsux, the Landscape
architect and State Engineer Bogart The commission
VIII elect its presiding officer. The members TO
receive salaries and are to be in way pecunarily
interested In the changes recommended. Their ex-
penses to be limited to % 900, in obtaining such
information as may be required The State Engineer
to furnish all the information n his power relating
cost to the commission which win not be empowered
to incur any obligations at the expense of the several
cities and towns. II the bill becomes law the act
Is to 20 into effect and the commission VIII 30
appointed this Spring.
sUSlk wELLKNowN MEN CHOSEN.
Some of the bestk known citizens Of Sew-York and
Brooklyn have been chosen. They have been
identified with the best development OF both cities,
and the purpose has been to separate the project
entirely from anything Of political or PERSONAL
character. similar project was undertaken in the
early part Of the century By De Witt Clinton, whose
efforts contributed largely to the building of the canal
system Of the State He was ons of the few mon
who could foresee. before the time OF steam.
fair idea of the future of New-York. 1t through
his efforts that the Elan Of the city above Fourteenth
st. was carried out In regular, systematic so2e
His plans were not followed precisely they did not
provide for Central Park as II exists, but for
several smaller parks each about onequarter the size Of
Central Park and placed respectively on the east
and west sides Of the city. between Fourteenth-st
and what IS now One hundred and.tweuty- hfth.st.
No specific area IS suggested BY the Crosby bin for
the new boundaries, that being left entirely 70 the
Judgment of the commission 10 recommend Bus the
general scope OF the project has been outlined 81
different times by Andrew II. Green. who has for
years given attention 10 the growth and interests OF
the city. Those views may be modified In many ways
before . report Is made. The project Of Dir. Green
Manhattan Island and the Annexed District Brooklyn.
Flushing jamaica and the whole OF Kings and Queens
counties and staten Island This would make o city
whose area would include ago square miles without
counting the navigable waters. tt IS estimated thai
this srea will show by the next population
Of 30Oo. 900 people, making the city second In sins
In The world. London has now population Of over
4OOoOoO and It embraces the towns and village,
within territory Of 600 square miles, more than
twice that contemplated in the district OF New-York
SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES.
The direct advantage to the outlying communities
will be that central government viii foster
improvements which viii tend to make moro
perfect in each neighborhOod tho schools.
the police the Streets the postal delivery, etc. What
would be the precise method Of government OF such
corporation Mr. Green says, only be determined by
the gradual development of the project BIS general
idea is that 1t would all be under one mayor The
great metropolitan district would be divided into
smaller districts, each Of which would elect It's
members to q central legislative body annually, and
the consolidation Of these interests would result IN
better government all over the territory, reduced ex-
penses aud lower rate OF taxation. s,.n.. =,
ITS wldo and progressive character The growth Of me
city has for the last half century, be says been Oh
piecemeal character only looking forward to the 30,
vantages OF the day, and seeing nothing Of what VIII
come tomorrow. Such corporation as Mr. G .,Sl
mcnt Of the Interests Of ali sections Of the community
Mr. sranahsn believes that the large part OF Brookns
The interests o. NeS.York and Brooklyn are in
mon as much as those Of Harlem and lower New-fork
All great improvements In this city are now TAT
behind the demands owing 10 local tealonses ana the
narrow spirit which confines the city 10 the island.
Before this project can be completed, IL u argued ing
Harlem River will have become open to shipping; ana
commerce VIII he building docks all around the Island.
The water frontage of Brooklyn VIII become, nndef
consolidation OF greatly increased yaue and sretch-
ing down the hay and including staten Islarsi tho
fature city win control the entire pier front OF the
harbor excepting the strip on the NewJersey shoLe.
The needs Of the city would require am wonid
foster the most perfect systems OF rapid uhnsit pc,
tween It's distant points, II would call for addltonai
bridges not only over the East River, but over ne
Hudson, and connection with staten Island either oy
bridge or tunnel at the Nsrrows Underground routes
and tunnels might easily make possible Tor passengers
10 ride by express train from Jamaica or 6taten lsiehd
10 any central point or 10 Yonkers or Mount vernon
IN the time n now requires 10 ride nom tho Battery
10 tbe Grand Central Station al Forty -sccond-st Jhs
advocates NJ the pan and the commission point 20 tne
growth of New-York and Brooklyn within twenty-nys
years New-York has doubled It's population every
six ICON years and BOoklyns increase mas Deen NOV
randi These accessions IN population nave oeen ~
provided for The time has now come Wnea ~, .e ~
sake of good government and the development o. suy
citizens the interests Of the future must DC
The Community which now aggregates SvyU'Y.D sou ,
win in another decade approach oOOoVo0. Sa shs
then take les place the most populous as wen a. he
most important commercial metropolitan eenue vi suo
globe The commission, appointed nis spn ia
WIN require n is said, several years 10 consuo' ~
report on its work.