New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-07
A PUBLIC OUTRAGE.
MR. DANA'S PROTEST AGAINST SPEEDWAY
PLAN.
HE DrxoryCFs THE SINGLE SIDEWALK on THE
OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE DRIVE FROM THE
RIVER, But Is ovERRULED-W0RK
TO BEGIN At ONCE.


RIVER, But IS ovERRULED-WORK
TO BEGIN At ONCE.
Plans for the construction of the Harlem River
Speedway were settled by the Park Commissioners
yesterday as far north as High Bridge Inc bouli
decided to have only one sidewalk the Whoe iehs'h
of the speedway and that the walk shall be on the
west side of the road The advocates OF TWO sue
walks argued that people who do not own fast
horses will thus be deprived OF the river VIEW ana
from and Fiftyhfth-st TO the 1907 OF
the hill property holders Will be cut OH eh''reN
on the east side OF the road. Although that part
OF the speedway is public street IL was SHOW"
that the owners OF abuttng property cannot use
It when the street becomes a part OF the speed
way But majority OF the Doard tu'"eu I" u'"i
to these appeals.
During the boards tour of inspection OF the lana
II decided at a meeting held at High Bridge on
September 49, Commissioner Straus notion
TO adopt the course finally settled yesterday. The
necessary resolutions were ordered 10 De spread
upon the minutes Commissioner Dana was not
present when the action was taken at High Bridge
At yesterdays meeting he protested against the
action taken.
after the commission had visited the site OF the
speedway on the date In question he said, Il
thought the meeting over. as supposed its
object was to have inspection only. Ihat nm
ished I came downtown. not expecting anything
ton. / entered my protest"
Commissioner Straus proposed a reconsideration
Commissioner Causen said that his understanding
OF The object Of the September meeting was to
do exactly what was done. and he supposed that
Mr. Dana had the understanding.
The vote OF September - was then reconsdered,
and President Happen declared the resolutions
again before the board. The president explained
that il was the boards intention to have the
engineer begin work the speedway from one
hundred and fifty nfthst TO High Bridge at once
Mr.. Dana asked Mr. Straus II he favored only one
sidewalk from c-hundred-and-iifty-hft to
the foot Of the hill Mr.. Straus answered Yes
adding that ne thought Mr. Dana held the same
view
THAT Is entirely wrong" replied Mr.. Dana. II
never held such view This IL public street
cut through the city. and | very much doubt
whether the rights of the owners OF adjoining
property can be curtailed. and whether you can
say to a man who builds house there that he
cannot come out Of his front door and his front
gate"
Mr. Straus replied that the law had set the
street aside and made it exclusively n speedway
would You. Mr. Straus. abolish the rights OF
the property owner along that line asked Mr.
Dana
Mr. Siraus made no audible reply
Mr. Tappen and Mr.. Clausen Thought there
would be Directing property owners
Mr. Dana said that the road from One-hnn-
the foot Of the hill should
not lie a part OF the speedway proper More
properly II should be approach to the speed
way. because II too steep for anybody to
think OF speeding horses down H.
President Tappen remarked that II would be
much safer for pedestrians II there was a side
walk only on one side Of the street Mr.. Clausen
argued that the speedway was especially laid
out for the speeding OF horses and the first con-
sheraton. even at the expense OF the popularity
OF the road. should be unrestricted speeding.
Sidewalk on both sides would Introduce an ele-
ment OF danger and would interfere with the main
object OF the road.
Mr. Dana said: YOU gentlemen. well know that
have no disposition to curtall the rights OF horse
men or the unrestricted enjoyment OF the object
for which the road was projected. but want
10 help its future by making IL more popular.
There should be sidewalk on either side l
have no idea that the road shall he crossed on
grade"
How would you provide crossings. them
asked Mr.. Straus.
by bridges" answered Mr.. Dana lie then
asked Mr Bonner. who was present, about speed
ing horses on another grade In the proposed road.
Mr. Bonner replied that the grade was a. steep
as he considered safe 10 speed horses on
That grade" said Mr. Dana. rs one In l25.
Tho grade on the Hill IL one In twenty-five"
Tho matter OF the side on which "A single walk
should be placed was then taken up. MIR. Dana
said that the walk should be on the right, or
east side The resolution placed II on the other
side The matter was discussed at great length.
Mr. Dana said that II should be- on the right
side OF the speedway because II il the river
side and by nature 1t belonged to the people.
Mr. Straus was FOR the opposite side because 1t
Is the side from which people who visited the
speedway would come and To reach the walk
II 1t were on the other side they would have to
cross the roadway Mr. Dana replied that TO shut
the public of from their right To the river side
was not only untenable in principle but also I'M
practicable.
Mr. Straus said that there was not land enough
for two walks. Mr. Dana was sure there was
plenty OF room to do all that was expected OF the
board with one walk the crowds at the speedway
would be positively interchangeable.
Before the vote was taken Mr. Dana said II
want TO repeat now that the proposition that
the public shall be shut of In this way from the
river side regard a public outrage. Not only
that but It Is wholly unnecessary"
The vote stood three to one. Mr. Dana voting
alone In the negative. Messrs. Happen. Straus
and Clausen voted AYE" The resolution order
Ing that construction begin at once was passed
by the same vote
OK Minister John Bigelow objected TO the selection
OF Bryant Park for the monument or Nlllanl
Cullen Bryant. preferring Centrai fark hs,r ,i
Mr. Vaux the landscape architect, selected Bryant
Park Mr.. Bgclow said $4,000 or $1,000 was IN
the committees hands To build the monument,
subscribed the understanding that the monument
should be in Central park. .,.,..o.
on motion OF Mr.. Dana the landscape architect
vas reouesed 10 report II there a suitable
place In Central Park for the monument.
"KUNNEL" SCHIRF on the RACK.