New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-29
FIGHTING THE DRIVEWAY.
THE COMMITTEE CALLS ON THE MAYOR

TIE FACT THAT HE DOES NOT OPPOSE THE
REPEAL TELEGRAPHED TO ALBANY
The subcommittee Of the committee appointed by
the Cooper Union anh-dnveway mass meeting waited
upon Mayor Grant yesterday. and asked his lid In
securing the repeal Of the Driveway Act. There were
present OF the committee exCorporaton Counsel Henry
r. Deekman. John d. Crimmins. Joseph J. O'DOnolue,
James p. Archibald and Franklin Bartlett Mr.. Beck
man acted spokesman aud gave detailed state
ment OF the proceedings of the Cooper
Union meeting, which he said was
representative body unanimous In its conclusions,
and wholly free from any sort Of politics. AS the
representatives OF this highly intelligent body OF
citizens, Mr.. Beekman said that the committee had
TO ask the Mayor to voice the sentiment OF that
meeting by asking the Legislature to repeal the act
He that the Mayors record during the last
three years justified the belief that 1t was Only
necessary to state what was done there to satisfy
him that public opinion strongly in favor OF re
peal, and 10 secure his hearty co-opentOn.
The Mayor replied that there seemed to be q great
public sentiment IN favor OF repeating the law. He
thoroughly recognized the fact that Central Park
the peoples breathing place and that the people did
not want it interfered with but he thought it great
pity that the committee did not take action sooner.
Il do not think" the Mayor continued, :" that this
driveway would have done so much harm to the Park
some excellent persons fear But shall offer no
opposition to n repeal OF the law"
Mr. Archibald asked " How much will you do, Mr..
Mayor, to help us In that dlrecton7"
Mr. Grant answered al hive already said that
would offer opposition to repeal. and II you have
a bill prepared with that object ! will examine It
and tell You quickly what think OF It, Have you
anything to propose In the way OF substituted There
IS strong feeling In favor OF speedway somewhere
else.n
Mr. Beekuan said "Ths committee Is not authorized
to do anything except TO advocate absolute, uncon-
ditlonal repeal. We think that the Mayor ouglt to
join In urging such a MEASURE
The Mayor was plainly indspoSed to accept Mr..
Beekman's view Of tho affair. IIe again asked II the
committee had no compromise or some other plan TO
propose. Mr.. Archibald answered that the committee
had objections to driveway elsewhere. They
did not Where it 50 long as 1t was not In
Central Park Riverside Park mentioned and
member Of the committee suggested Jeromcavc.
a good place for speedway. Mr. Bartlett said that
there should be speedway somewhere but the repeal
OF the law allowing 1t to s. into Central Park the
first thing In order
Mr. O'Donohue said that there could be objection
TO n driveway anywhere except IN Central Park lie
asked Mr.. Grant II he would object TO sending
telegram to Senator Cantor, asking him TO move the
repeal OF the law. The Mayor replied that he had
objection TO Mr.. Cantor being Informed that he
favored the repeal, but he would like TO have the
committees suggestions about the location Of speed
Mr.. O'Donohue then asked II the Mayor objected TO
having the committee telegraph Senator Cantor saying
that lie was not opposed to repeal and the Mayor
replied: "NOnc whatever"
The committee withdrew after further dis
cussiOn during which II was decided that the tele
gram referred TO- stating tho Mayors attitude, should
be sent Senator Punkitt. who had introduced the
original bill Tho committee thanked the Mayor for
the audience. Mr. CrImmins, Mr. O'Donohue and Mr.
Beckman then drew up the following telegram, which
signed by the whole committee and sent to
senator Plunkitt They submitted IL to the Mayor
anl he expressed himself as satisfied with It's reading
Hon. George W. Plunkitt, Senate Chamber Albany
Newlork.
The Mayor, In response 10 the committee on the
Npeal Of the Central Park Driveway law. authorizes
to say that he has no objection to It's repeal.
After the committee had returned from the Mayors
orco 70 No. 60 Wall-st, there a meeting OF the
General COMMITTEES. at which Mr.. Beekman made
report the result OF the audience with the Mayor
The committee adjourned until L. 80 p. IN. day.