The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-06-20
DOUBTS THE CITY'S POWER
Bx-JUDGE HALL'S BROAD CLAIM IN
 REGARD TO UNION STREET.

Says the City Has No Legal Right to l Widen Union Avenue-Referred to the Corporation Counsel for an OpiniOn-Un-
 safe Condition of Edgew6od Avenue. Over twenty-five residents and tax
 payers of the city were present at the
 special meeting of the board of public works last evening, held for the purpose
 of holding a hearing on the extension and improvement of several streets of | the city. All the members were present and Mayor Hendrick presided. The | first matter considered was the propos- ed widening and strengthening of Union street. Ex-Judge John M. Hall, the present vice president of the Consoli- dated road, appeared in the interests of the Consolidated railroad and objected to the proposed widening.
 He claimed in support of his position that the city had no legal right or power road company, because the property was devoted to railroad purposes by deed, and that the city had no right to touch the property for street pur- poses. He also claimed that the city had no title to the land under the tow CT of the old City market, but the road would consent to give a quit claim of 1t to the city provided the city would con sent to not order the widening of Union avenue. He also said that the road would exert every means iH its power to defeat the proposed strengthening and widening of the street to sixty feet, as 1t would Interfere with the laying of tracks by the company.
 A large number ofresidents and prop erty owners appeared in favor of the proposed widening on the ground that public necessity and convenience de- manded the widening.
 Councilman Felix Chlllingworth, a member of the park commission and committee on streets, appeared before the board and recommended that Edge wood avenue be placed In proper condi- ton at once
 Commissioner States said that the avenue is In an extremely dangerous and In a very bad condition. The board referred the matter to committee to in- quire and report.
 A large delegation was also present to favor the laying of sidewalks on the east side of St, Roman street. and the matter was referred to the committee on streets with power to act
 It was also voted to refer to the court of common council the layout of the pro posed extension of Frank street, from Barclay street to the Boulevard.
 In reference to the proposed widening and strengthening of Union street the board on motion of Commissioner States +a Co., "a of "a f1h and committee on streets of the board to consult with the corporation counsel in regard to the legal questions raised, aftepward to confer with the railroad officials and report the result of both conferences to a subsequent meeting of the full board
 It was also voted In reference to the proposed extension of Stanley street, from Merton street to Winthrop avenue, to refer the matter to the court of com mon council with the recommendation that the extension be made on the lines of the present street.
 COMMITTEE ON SEWERS.
 The committee on sewers met and vot- ed to recommend the construction of sewers in Elm street, between Beers l dIu hSnSluBlOli III AAill SllNStI bClWSSAi | Howe and Dwight streets; and for a | sewer from Ashmun street to York | square, around the easterly side of York l square, to Broadway, provided the cor | counsel decides that the city | has the right to do so.
 Leave to withdraw was given to the | for sewer in John street, between Grant street and the Boule- yard. The petitions for sewers In Green wich avenue were tabled for a future |