New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-22
THE SPEEDVAY AND THE RIJER fRON1.

II ;s sofe 70 assume that On sober second
| Thought the Park Board will rcsclnd its action
in regard to the plans Of the proposed speed
way We do not mean that the project ITSELF
is TO be condemned, although there Is little
doubt that II will cost two or three times as
| much rs the estimates indicate. and although
4 considerable fraction Of the funds approprl-
otcd 10 this work will be diverted 10 the sup
mort of racing stables and other luXurlcs on
| loved by our ruling classes. Nevertheless, our
toxpavcrs are not given to grumbling If they
get something to show for reasonable frac-
ton of their money.
There are some things, however, which they
will not endure. For example, they Will not
permit themselves TO be excluded from two
miles Of the waterfront of this island, especially
when it Is devoted to purposes of recreation
Even II it were true that walk on the river
side of the proposed driveway would to a GER
tain extent interfere with its primary pur-
pose as 4 speed road there is no reason why
a hundred thousand people who 90 on foot
should surrender all their rights to thousand
who drive fast horses In such case some
compromise would be necessary, but the total
exclusion Of all pedestrians from the shores or
the Harlem in order to give amusement for Il
few hours in the day ut certain seasons Of the
year TO a very small fraction Of the inhabitants
Of the city is not to be thought Of. Fortunate
". however. there Is no such conflict, and there
is need OF no compromise. As has been very
clearly pointed out by Mr.. Dana the road IT.
self will he benefited rather than injured by
walk along the river As the great body of
vi he
road they would be compelled to cross its line
somewhere in order 10 get 10 the single walk
OH its western border SO that there would be
more disturbance from people crossing the
track on foot without the river walk than with
IT, Besides this so far as the road will attract
the great body Of the people TO admire the
display Of equpagc and OF high brcd horse
flesh. this arrangement will afford twice rs
much space for the enjoyment Of the show rs
would a single walk. If the spectacle is TO be
as brilliant as the trotting men think 1t will
prove tho time will soon come when there will
be- landing places along the river for those who
choose TO visit 1t by water. There are times
too when regattas on the river will be quite
as attractive to the masses Of the people rs
tho races on the road and the people will In
slst on facilities for Witnessing the aquatic
spectacle as well as the other
We believe that IL Ia tho true policy OF the
city 10 furnish legitimate means Of wholesome
recreation FOR all classes but there is no rea
son why very small class should have IN
exclusive right 10 tho shores OF the Harlem
from Onc-hundrcd and-hfty-Gfthst. 10 Shcrman's
Creek Most Of the owners Of fast horses are
In tho country all summer. and II Is an outrage
upon common sense and common justice to say
to the million Of people who inhabit this island
that they must be satisfied with the privilege
Of walking up and down a sidewalk which is
80 feet from the river with nothing but an
empty road between them and the water The
people who walk have rights ms dear to them
~ the people who can afford 10 drive sons and
daughters of Elcctioncer and Director AS we
said at the outset. the people would Insist upon
tho walk even If il were necessary 10 curtal
some Of the privileges Of those who drive. But
since Il river walk will not interfere to any ex
tent with light harness driving, the demand
made by few exclusives Is utterly unrenson
able and offensive. The Park Board acted
hastily In yielding 10 1t. and without doubt n
revision OF the plans will be ordered.