The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-03

Since the understanding has become com.
plete that special trottcrs road In the Gen.
trail Park is not possible. there has sprung
up great deal Of speculation upon tho
question where speedway might be put.
all Of 1t favoring the proposition to put 1t
somewhere. There has been m almost ex-
plosive spread Of feeling that the trotter
draws wcighty and worthy load Of
citizens desiring to use him for recreation
within the city. and that their request for
some ground whereon they need no longer
keep his speed concealed within the re-
strictions governing the crowded streets
and pathways. and where they can invite
their souls to tho immense exhilaration OF
letting him step" even In company. Is
entitled to serious confederation.
Van Cortlandt Park has been mentioned
as including possible location for the de-
sired speedway. Senator PLUNK1TT Inns in
trodueed bill to widen Jerome avenue to a
great width. and considor tho speedway as
placed there. It has been there for twenty
or thirty years. end would be in satisfac-
tory condition and In full blast to-day but
for the diversion OF q great amount Of driv-
ing talent to private grounds In Fleetwood
Park. Senator PLuSKTT proposes to
restore 1t To perfect order and to fashion
1t on heroic scale. but his plan will
not solve the problem. Only fifteen
years ago the Seventh avenue. from the
Park to Macomb's Dam. was. leaving tho
footing occasionally out Of considera-
ton. all that the man in the trotting
wagon could have wished for. Yet now the
Harlem flats are built upon SO that speed Is
suppressed. In another decade or two. with
the extension Of rapid transit. which is
bound to come in spite Of all cranky opposi-
ton. Jerome avenue Is likely to be built
up fully. 80 that again the trotter will have
to be pulled up and logged away to some
other road before he can be let loose. Tho
PLuNKIrT plan would be fine for a time.
but its usefulness would be limited.
Riverside Park Is suggested as perhaps
able to afford the necessary space. The old
scheme is revived also for o magnificent
boulevard west OF Riverside Park. with pro-
vision for riders and drivers both. and for a
promenade OF an ideal delightfulness such as
one might dream OF had he ALADDIN lamp.
We have likewise seen mentioned sew
eral times. once. to our surprise. by our
esteemed contemporary the Rider and
Driver. the odd little absurdlty Of put
ting a speed track in Morningside Park.
That park Is In fact the narrow strip OF
park land. unsusceptible OF other treat
mcnt. necessary to surmount the hill lead
ing up to the Bloomingdale plateau. with
length Of but three blocks more than half a
mile. 1t might do for the little brothers OF
the rich to gallop their ponies on: but for
the high-class trotter. whose stroke Is not
developed as though he were fired In full
flight out Of a popgun. and whose heart is
not tested by burst to tho quarter pole.
1t would be- little better than plaything.
Popular imagination is lowering about all
these schemes with degree OF interest that
must surprise great number of quiet old
citizens whose good fortune 1t has never
been to feel the trotter's rein tighten as the
spokes begin to whirl out OF sight. Let
the discussion continue In soberness and In
understanding Of all the rights and all the
ideas involved In 1t. and we shall finally
have. we hope. road for oil time wherein
the splendid drove Of flyers belonging in
this. their greatest capital, shall BIO able to
stretch themselves fully and freely as tho
gentlemen who have the good luck to sit
behind may desire. And may we all be
there to see