New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-21
CHANGES IN THE DRIVEWAY.
PARK BOARD TO CONSIDER THE RECON-
MENDATIONs OF MR.. vAUX TO-DAY.
THE QUESTION OF TREE SPACE TO COME UP
REPORT OF MR. CRowELI,-THE CRACKS

REPORT OF Mr.. CRowELI-TIIE CRACKS
IN THE SUBWAY
1t is anticipated that the meeting OF the Park
Board to-day will be one Of great importance, since
not only will the recommendations OF Foster Crow
ell regarding the Harlem River Driveway be con-
sidered but important changes in the plans for the
Driveway. recommended by Calvert Vaux. the
landscape architect appointed by the Park Board
will be taken up
The recommendations OF Mr. Vaux involve some
radical changes with regard to the superstructure
OF the along the banks Of the Harlem The
most important is the setting aside Of ten feet
each side OF the roadbed for tree space. the idea
being to supply crnamen;aton along the Driveway
throughout nearly its whole extent from the foot
Of the heavy incline just north OF One-hundred-snd-
ffty-ffth-st. Since the width Of the Driveway WAS
originally intended to be $50 feet throughout that
stretch with walks Of twenty-five feet In width on
each side. subsequently planned. the width of
roadbed be leo feet. Under the plan FOR tree
space between the roadbed and the walks, the loss
Of twenty feet is to be made mp out Of the width
OF road and walks. The road would then be ninety
feet wide. and the walks each twenty feet in width
In view of the sharpness Of the incline from One
hundred and fftyffth to One-nundred- and-s!xiieth
sta grade OF twenty-five feet 20 the hundred-it
has been decided that the specifications for road
bed 10 be topped with loan will have TO be modi-
fed since the superficial part OF the roslbed would
be washed downhill within a comparatively shor;
time. Teford pavement will therefore be recon-
mendcd by Mr.. Kellogg. the chief engineer OF the
Department This pavement Will be made Of eight
inches of stone In large pieces for foundation. on
which Will be inch, OF broken stone and over
this six inches of Roa Hook grave. I, Is thought
by Mr. Kellogg that this will give the best possible
pavement for the nature OF the locality Il Is the
same as that used on the Morningsidc Driveway.
THE REPORT DISCUSSED
Mr.. Crowelrs report. which made luz
g. in response the resolution of tn Park Board
OF June 5. has provoked much discussion. In II Mr..
Crowei who is a member OF the American Society
of Civil Engineers. condemns the subway a; one
hundred-and ID htty-eghth-si faulty in fopnda-
ton because o. lack OF timber grlllage. and also
bad in construction this al being shown. ne says by
the sinking OF the subway from one-half = one
inch more. and by cracks in tho walls. He mas
made. also a strong indictment against the crib
work between suh-sectons Nos. Al and -. a dis
lance OF 500 feet showing how the crib line has be-
come distorted til the crib has been pushed OF;
beyond the United States ha-hor lines. His charges
bear wholly upon first section. for which James
D. Leary has the CONTRACT.
y. J. I.eary. Mr.. Leary's who has had direct
charge of the construction that the cracks
in the subway be remedied, as they were In the
Washington Bridge. by cleaning out and repointing.
He denies that 1t is necessary 10 rebuild the sub
way as stated by Mr. Crowell. and insists that the
wall faces show that the founda lions have not
yielded. AS for the cfibwork referred TO- MI. IearE
admits that it is defective. and should be rebuilt
But he places the blame on the engineer OF the
Department; The original depth for foundations
for this cr.bwork calculated 81 eighteen rect
bu; the discover Of peatbog bottom made 1t
necessary to go down thir;y-eisht feet While the
width of the top Of the crihvork was to be twenty
feet under the original plan. the engineer in charge
made this no greater for the deeper dep,h
Right here will come the clash. IT ia said. ana me
attempt TO fix the responsibility. Mr.. Crowe1 said
Yesterday: "A clause in the or gnal F2ecincatons
cave The engineer of the Department authority to
the changed conditions. He did not DO t. II would
have been to Mr. Learys advantase 70 n,in ton .n'
ard the conditions o. cost remained N" same.
POWER OF THE ENGINEER.
In the specifications Under the new contract the
original clause giving the engineer power 20 auinor
ize needfu changes has the following added to II;
OF in .he Judgment Of the engineer, 1t Is found
necessary TO make any changes or alterations in
tho method OF the construction OF the crib bulk
head during the progress OF the work. ne is hereby
authorized to make such changes or alterations
provided they do not change the cost Of the CON
The question for the Park Board consider next
will be who was the engineer Responsible TOT the
work The original plans and spechcatlons were
his 6rst assistant. When the special sl.Wl.V0 APP
propriation was to be expended in supplying work
iieveI nv Inc Park Board OF work the Driveway
ard Mr. Graham placed in charge On tnis
ssntire work has been under the general charge OF
tho engineer OF construction. but actually his ofh
cal duties in other works OF me an f fn
him 70 give any considerable time 10 IL, ana ne
therefore intrusted the RESPONSIBILITY 10 res;nent
engineer. under the title OF assistant engineer es
in Charge OF driveway. who practically became the
responsible engineer. ., -. - . =,
II is deemed extremely probable that out OF all
~ oor,plication litigation may be necessary 20