New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-08
SIDEWALK OBSTRUCTION.

MICH TROUBLE CAUSED By THE FAILURE OF
THE POLICE TO ENFORCE THE LAW.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: As an active member OF the City Improve
ment Society who has just given much attention 10
the obstruction Of the sidewalks Of the business
portion of the city by merchandise OF all kinds'
desire TO give through your columns few or the
results of my somewhat extensive observations
hoping that It may aid the attempts OF the So
clety to cause merchants, truckmen and porters
10 recognize the rights Of the general pubic.
have found existing absolute indifference TO the
rights OF pedestrians, begotten OF the long lail-
ure Of the police to enforce the laws, ana the
consequent immunity from the results OF Infringing
them by merchants car:men and others, VINO use
the sidewalks for storage Goods are so placed upon
the sidewalks to occupy much more Oh the wains
than is at all necessary. the usual locauoh oe'ns
that most convenient to the employe-sometimes IN
the middle of the walk but rarely close TO the curp
where they should be.
Rernonstrance with truck drivers, porters ana
other employees upon this point has almost ihVar"-
bly, been met with insolence, and at times' 'oo
when policeman has been near The showing ,S Sa
a badge bearing the name ana motto VI tie
city Improvement Society C'Enforce the Law ma, mas
generally secured all the police ISL nrSeretors Of
stores whose sidewalks have been continuously &C,
obtaining the use OF the walks for the public and
have generally been laughed at IN res. sespon neone
that they infringing the law. but have nev yer
observed any results one glarng instance or the
neglect OF the police to enforce the law. extending
long time. has been. and probably SUI. ~; "
be found In Reade-st. Immediately east OF WIS,
Broadway where packing box dealer has occupied
with high pile OF boxes not only more
than one-half of the sidewalk In front OF his own
place and of liquor store on the ADJOINING coreL
but portion of the street as we'll he mas salu
those taken away were Immediately replaced by
others. for the pile has remained undiminished III
size night and day for years past. 49,, ,
Were merchandise only placed on me walks. anu
In such manner as TO show that the rights OF
pedestrians were paramount TO those owning the
ing immediate removal. II would be one thing, pu!
the custom has prevailed to very large extent vi
taking merchandise 10 the sidewalk irrespective
OF the time that may elapse before It's pelnB Uns
away. In many quarters OF the wholesale dis
trict boxing of goods Is done upon the splr"a.k.
Instructions but to that prohibiting :he soiling oi
the streets by anything whatever
Merchants should be compelled to retain tneir ner,
chandise on their premises until the time or octua
shipment, for they have no right 10 expect 'he
| CITY to provide them room In which 10 transact
their private business. which they 40 he nand wh"n
| they fiji up the rilewalks In order mat they may
| have greater facilities within :heir stores,
The prevailing custom which the Jaw distinctly
| prohibits has become only through me non
enforcement Of that law by the officers Of me pecs
| force and the city improvement Society Is ASKING
| only that the law be enforced The smewalN OF
Nassaust is extremely narrow. but in the erection
| Of the new building ut the southeast corner oil
John-st several feet Of that walk have 'ean taken
| away by the protrudlng porch OF the entrance
been erected II is a question for the Corporation
Attorney to decide whether 1t has any right - be
| thsre MEMBER.
| New-York Jan. 49, 1894