New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-11
rs THE NEW CLIFFS HAND IN TTY
PRICE OF THE ST. LUKDs HOSPITAL SITE.
A CHARGE THAT MEMBERS OF THE METROPOL-
TAN CLUB ARE TRYING 10 SHUT OFF


I1AN CLUB ARE TRYING no SHUT OFF
THE UNION CLUB DENIED.
The Union Club seems to be no nearer moving ZIP
town now than 1t was when It's Site Committee was
appointed In the spring. II undoubtedly wants the
eight lots Of the St. Lukes Hospital property, at the
norta"est corner II Fifth and Fifty fourth ST.. but
thinks the price demanded 81 .Oo0.OOr Is too high.
member of the club said yesterday The agent Of
the Astors carefully examined the hospital plot and
looked up the prices OF property nearby. lie con
cmded that the entire thlrty:wo lots Of the hospital
site we're worth 81 100000 and no more. Yet the
trustees 81, 900 for them. Their demand for
Sl0O0o00 for the eight lots the lower OF the
avenue is also exorbitan VIC thought that s65oooo
was fair price for the eight lots which we want, and
willing to give 100000 more than that sum.
For my part, ] wouldn't think OF paving 81 100000
for the plot when IL is really worth S350,oo0 less.
ave have BEEN ooing at sites at Forty third ST. and
elsewhere In the The trouble with them Is
that they have buildings them which would have
to buy and tear down. Anyway. the Union Club need
be in no hurry 10 move. We can easily STAY where
we three four years longer, and by that time
something may turn up
Tie Union Club man did not hesitate to say that
IN his opinion the influence of the Metropolitan
Cub Is being exerted to prevent its rivals getting
the ST. Luke's Hospital property at price which ii
Is willing TO pay. said the clubman "samuel d.
Babcock is leading spirit in the Metropolitan Club
and is also trustee of the hospital don't suppose
that Cornelius Vanderbilt is anxious to have the Union
Club move to Fifty -fourth-st. and Ffth-ave. He is
also prominent in the organization. and then
H. Mex. Twombly HIS brother-n-law, lives ON the
east side Of the avenue, just above Fifty fourth-s
OF course Mr.. Twombly would not like to have
clubhouse across the street from his home.
"The statement that the purchase by the club of
part of the hospital property would apprecaby lower
the vafue of the rest is unreasonable People might
object living the street from cluo, as the
members could look right into the windows Of such
homes. This would not affect houses ON the same
block with the club, they would enjoy as much
privacy they would elsewhere. Club members could
not look into the windows Of home adjoining the
clubhouse on either side. People continued to 1--we
Nm Twenty rstst west of Fifh-ave.. after the Union
Club moved to the corner and they did NOT seem to
fud the club detriment to the neighborhood. There
was formerly a church opposite the clubhouse, and
that vas concerned about being in the range OF
the eyes of the members
There is one Union Club man who refuses to con-
tribute 10 St. Luke's Hospital because 1t holds It's
property of such high figure instead Of making
heste TO sell it, He is quoted as saying: Il used 10
refuse TO give money to the hospital because didn't
think ii could need 1t very much II 1t could afford To
retain its expensive property in Fifth-ave Last
year when the trustees announced that they were
going to sell the thirtytwo lots contributed to the
fund. This year they have fixed such price on the
property that they cannot sell it, so am not going
| to give anything to the institution
The trustees Of the hospital deny absolutely the
charge that any thought about the Metropolitan Club
has entered into their fixing the price on the property
which they did. Samuel ID. Babcock chairman of the
| Real Estate Committee Of the hospital said TO a
| Tribune reporter on tr subject 1.-The site Com
mffee of the Union Club asked us about the price OF
the property last August. IL was then suggested u
them that if they would make one Of four PROPOSE
tons the committee of the hospital would be con
vened to consider it. We did not promise to accept
any of these propositions the matter had not ye'
como hefore the Board. The Union CluD cOininltce'
| howcver made none of these oilers.
| About six weeks ago the ST. Lukes Hoepltai tus-
tees for the first time named the Lowest p1ce uie.
were willing to accept, namely, S23Oo'oOO Iof 1it
whole site or 81 600, 900 for the eight lower io's
usnh he quite os agreeable to sell to the Union oIul
as 10 any other party As this is the only very fIe
MOI that cond be had Fifth-avc, below seveIt.-
eoond-s the trustees believe that the thirty-t"o ot-
which are comprised in IL will realize more TWO o,
three wears hence. which is as soon as the hosPl,
viii be prepared to give possession OF then than ue
| will now BRING 1. 49,. oaor,oA
| Roth ORGANIZATIONS therefore seem e. nave anoP,S;o
a Fabian policy and TO be satisfied to let affairs getiI
take their course until something turns up Inc "
bmsness building which has been erected on the soIl
west corner OF Ffh-ave. and Twenty frstst mas snu
Of a great deal OF light from the Union Club ana mas
iae Increased the desire Of the members 10 move up