New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-07


TroN-A pEFuYcT RAILROAD COMPANY TO
BE GOT OUT OF THE WAY.
The Good Roads Association Of Brooklyn has
decided that the most available street to improve
as means Of connecting the Eastern Boulevard
with the macadamized roads Of Queens County IS
Glenuore-ave The suggestion that this avenue
be improved Appeals to have originated with AL
derman Clark He has given not little atten-
ton to this matter in the interest OF the wheel
men Of Brooklyn whose ranks he Joined not long
ago.
Some time ago mention was made in The Trio-
me of Glenmore-ave as a possible solution or
the question Of a good road to the eastern bound
ary OF the city but the objection was cited at
that time that d railroad company had ootalned
rights in the avenue, thus creating an apparently
insuperable objection 10 it's use for driving and
wheeling The best alternative then in view APP
peared 10 be Eastern Parkway (streeD since Lib
erty-ave had been confscated by trolley COM
pany There were obvious objections to Eastern
Parkway especially as respects driving along H.
because Of the elevated railroad overhead. with
columns so placed as to divide the roadway into
three longitudinal sections AS far as wheelrlen
were concerned, their needs would be met by
matchmaking the middle section, and the ele-
waited road would be no disadvantage. but an ad-
vantage rather as afording a welcome shade In
summer.
Looking at the matter In a large way, however
II plain that the grea test good OF the greatest
number will be subserved by the placing OF
smooth pavement on street which Is unoostru't-
ed: and il now appears that the railroad tracks
in Glenmore-ave are not likely to be serious OBJ
stacle to it's use. They laid several years
ago by company calling itself. whins.cally
rI
Company Probably this name was selected be-
cause tho Twenty-slxth Ward had then recently
been annexed 10 the city. Tracks were laid Tor
about a mile but they have never been used.
The company got into financial difficulties. and
William J. Gaynor some time before his election
as Judge. secured judgment against it, and
under execution proceedings took possession of
all its visible property.
A RAILROAD CHARTER MAY MAKE TROUBLE
When the question Of improving Glenmore-ave.
was taken UP seriously Judge Gaynor was seen
by Assistant Corpora ton Counsel Furst, who Is
an enthusiastic wheelman and takes deep in
terest in the proposed improvement, and he ex
pressed willingness to have the tracks removed
and sold for old iron. The charter Of the COM
pany is still In existence. though Its validity
may be a matter Of doubt. Clearly that question
ought to be determined before q large sum OF
money is spent for a pavement on the avenue;
and 1t is equally clear that provision should be
made by the Legislature to prevent the use OF the
avenue at any future time by railroad COM
pany on the surface or in the air. If the avenue
is improved as is now proposed. 1t should be re-
served exclusively and permanently Tor the use
OF vehicles other than cars and stages.
Glenmore-ave. lies between Liberty-ave. ana
Eastern Parkway and thus forms an almost d.
rect line of communication between the Eastern
Boulevard and Broadway In Queens County. II
is not laid out all the way to East Newly ork-ave.,
however, and the smooth-paved route taking II
in would run along East New-York-ave. a short
distance. then turn down Thatford-st. one block
to Glenmore-ave. while at the eastern end an
other turn would have to be made through FL
dert-st TO meet the extension OF Liberty-ave. TO
the beginning Of Broadway. But the slight de-
tours thus made necessary would be OF small con-
sequence.
MACADAM ASPHALT OR BRICK?
At present there Is pavement Of Belgian
blocks on Glenmore-ave. for nearly mile. The
removal of these will be necessary II the plan
now under consideration is carried into effect.
One of the questions to be decided Is as to the
character of the pavement to be put on the ave-
nue. The choice lies between macadam. asphalt
and vitrifed brick The least expensive is mac
adam, and on many accounts 1t would give full
satisfaction. But it must be borne in mind that
the avenue when repaved will become the main
thoroughfare for traffic in that part Of the city,
and undoubtedly it will be subjected to good
deal of heavy trucking In those circumstances
a macadamized road would IN no long time need
repairs, and constant attention would be required
to keep il in good condition.
To an asphalt pavement objection could be
made but many Will probably be inclined to be-
lieve. with Mr. Lewis of the City Works Dc
partment that brick pavement would be the
most serviceable 1t is true that Brooklyn has
had no experience with brick pavements as yet.
with the exception of the small area at the head
of Bedf0rd-ave., on which brick pavement was
laid two or three months ago. The time has not
been sufficiently long 10 determine It's wearing
qualities. but thus far it has given complete
satisfaction. Half dozen blocks in the city are
to be paved with brick before winter sets in. and
1t Is certain that in Nevins-st., between Scher-
merhorn and Dean SITS, this paving material Will
be severely tested
Anyhow. for experiment considerable
scale, 1t Is doubtful whether better opportunity
could be found than Glenmore-aYe will furnish.
The experience Of other cities indicates strongly
the desirable qualities of brick pavements and II
the policy Of the present administration OF the
City Works Department is continued during the
next two years it IS not improbable that large
quantity of vitrihed brick will be laid on the
streets of the city.
THE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.
Still. the question of paving material is not
the pressing question in connection with the con-
templated Improvement Of Glenmore-ave. That
can be deferred till later. The thing Of impor-
lance is TO get bill passed authorizing the work
and providing for the needful outlay. and to this
| 1t is to be presumed. the Good Roads Associa-
ton will give its most earnest attention. II has
the opportunity to render the community valu-
able service and to do some practical work that
! will justify its existence.
Another important thing Is to determine the
status of the charter OF the railroad company
! with the odd name. and 10 make provision that
the avenue. after being set apart a thorough
fare for driving and wheeling. shall be kept free
from railroad tracks.
OF course. the improvement Of the avenue will
! tend to advance the value Of the adjacent prop
/ erty. and so 1t would seem no more than fair
that a certain percentage of the cost of the work
should be assessed upon the property owners af
fected. The city at large. however, will be the
chief beneficiary, and hence can afford to bear
/ the greater share OF the burden The distance to
be paved liz about two miles and a half. and II