New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-01
MAKING STREETS WIDER.

Tho widening of College Place has already
,ettored the appearance Of the lower part Of the
city. This is an improvement which Is certain
90 no useful and advantageous to NEWCOMERS.
II is much TO be dcpored that in the early days
~ rho settlement on Manhattan Island the men
who laid out the streets did not dream OF the
greatness of the metropolis which they were
founding and that they arranged many of the
thoroughfarcs with so little regard 10 the heeus
of a city Of the first rank. Everybody agrees
II is unfortunate that Nassau-st was hade
so narrow The benefit TO newborn II NASSAU
ST. were three or four times as broad as II IS
would be almost ncalcuable. Since the close
of the Civil War. however, New-lorkers nave
done a great deal to amend the errors OF 'heir
ancestors and 10 make Manhattan Island Il 1ar
more attractive and convenient place IMAM II
was formerly, both for residence and for bust
ness.
Steps have been taken recently to begin work
on the Elm-st widening. This is an ambitious
scheme and one which has found many severe
critics and bitter enemies as well as company
Of Jealous supporters and advocates. Ihose
persons who are familiar with all the facts an
ticipate that the expense Of the Elm-st enter
prise will be enormous. IT is clear enough tha'
certain far-sighted citizens who have been CAM
orng for this Improvement for years Will pront
largely from the proposed changes. The pay
monts 10 property-owners for buildings when
nust he DESTROYED and land which must be Sc
crred will reach formidable figures. Whatever
may he the merits of this scheme, and Whatever
NAV be It's defects, no intelligent taxpayer can
doubt that the extension Of Cenre-st. would be
q nublc benefit Centre-st. is Of noble BREADTH
and e runs directly from the most congested
mart Of the city. the approach to the Brooklyn
Bridge. If Centre-st were extended northward
TO Fourth-ave by way Of Marion-st. and Lafa
vote Place the improvement would be highly
useful and valuable The property which 1t
would be necessary to acquire is not taxed at
high figures. and the plan could be carried out
with far less outlay than will be required for
the Elm-st widening.
The extension Of Centrest. would undoubtedly
relieve 10 certain extent the pressure on Broad
way which 1t is proposed to lessen by the widen
ing of Elm-st This pressure on Broadway, how
ever. has not been nearly so serious in recent
years as it was in the days of the old stage line
A block in any part Of Broadway lasting more
than a few minutes is almost unknown IN these
DAYS A quarter of a century ago such blocks
frequent ana prolonged anu Chuscu d" ''"'
amount Of trouble and inconvenience, but since
then the conditions Of city traffic have been
changed materially The elevated roads have
taken away from Broadway multitudes OF per-
sons who formerly travelled mp and down town
bv that route. Trucks and other heavy vehicies
to a great extent seek other thoroughfares. ANY
careful observer Of affairs in Broadway must
acknowledge that the widening of Elm-st is not
nearly so important TO relieve congestion III
Broadway it appeared TO be some years ago.
1t is likely that no serious harm Will result II
the Elm-st undertaking is not put through win
any more haste than seems to be absolutely re-
quired NEWCOMERS appear to need some other
improvements more urgently just now than they
need the Elm-st. enterprise.