New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-10
WILL THE PLAZA BE SAVEDi
THE QUESTION FOR THE BRIDGE TRUs-
TEES TO DECIDE
IMPOSSIBLE TO. SEE AS YET JUST WHAT THERE IS
TO sAvE-THE PLAZA AND THE NEW TER
MINAL sTATroN-How CAN THE DE-
IMPOSSIBLE TO Sci

TO sAVE-THE PLAZA AND THE NEW TER
MTNAL sTATIoN-How CAN THE DE-
FEcrs BE REMEDIED?
The November meeting OF the Bridge trustees
will take place tomorrow. and as the question
of the surrender OF part OF the Plaza on the
west side of the new station to the Brooklyn
Heights Railroad Company was postponed last
month until this date. it is probable that 1t will
be taken up for final settlement, and will form
the principal feature of the meeting
1t is most unfortunate for the cause of those
who wish to see so much Of the Plaza as Is left
unoccuped kept free for the use Of the public
that II Is still filled UP with railroad iron and
material OF like character that no fair idea OF
1t can be gained by personal examination
This state OF things adds force to the contention
OF those who sneerlngly say that the Plaza has
virtually been given over to the elevated ROADS
and that there IL no use Of trying to do anything
with 1t now. II 1t could once be seen free ana
clear"-to use a real estate phrase In modified
sense-the public could Judge far more accu-
rately OF It's value. and the demand that 1t be
saved from further spoliation would be urged
upon the trustees with redoubled force
1t IL not correct to charge against the trustees
all the blame for the occupancy by the elevated
railroads OF this open space provided at large
expense a free approach to the Bridge. Inc
Brooklyn Elevated Company secured Its right
to run through High-st. and along Futon-st
from a rapid transit commission. and this VIZ
tually gave II the right 10 encroach 10 some ex-
tent the Plaza, especially as curves IN us
road were necessary at two corners Of the Plaza'
Then as this road thus secured the right TO
close connections with both ends OF the new STA
ton, 1t seemed desirable that the Kings County
Company should also be provided with reason
able facilities for bringing its passengers INTO
the Bridge station. The bridge or gallery acfoSs
the middle Of the Plaza followed. which is GER
tainy Objectionable and dsfguring enough
And In competition with this work and with the
new station. what remains OF the Plaza mas oeen
used a general dumping ground. 1t was sup
posed month ago that the stun neapea 'here
would be promptly removed, but apparently the
advocates OF the Of the Plaza for trolley ran
road tracks have had sufficient influence to pre-
vent the carrying out OF the orders, so as 10
create the impression that there is no Plaza to
speak Of and that It's occupancy by Few rail-
road tracks is not matter Of much consequence
OvERsHADOWED BY THE ELECTION
During the last month interest has been so
largely concentrated on political matters that
little thought has been given TO the preservation
Of the Plaza It has been suggested that pubic
meeting might we'll be held for the purpose or
showing President Howell. and those who think
with him the force OF public sentiment on the
right side OF this question: but while the cam
paign was in progress It would have been out of
the question to get the people together 70 con-
slider such a matter. and there has not been time
for effective organization since. II the people OF
the city once realized, however, how their rights
are being trifed with. how the Plaza, for when
they have paid 81 900 600 is to be irretrevaby de-
stroyed in the interest OF railroad corporation
that Is willing to pay only a nominal rental for
IT. they would surely come together in large num-
bers and speak out so emphatically that the prof.
ect would be instantly killed beyond hope OF
resurrection.
The Importance Of bringing the troHey-car
passengers close TO the Bridge. and Of enabling
Bridge passengers TO board the trolley-cars with
A minimum Of effort and trouble. will be con-
coded without argument The question then Is
whether It is necessary to give up the Plaza for
this purpose President Howell at first said 1t
was not and suggested an easy solution OF the
problem MAYOR Sehieren said and continues 20
saw that il IS not and at least Of his fellow
trustees takes the same incorporating position.
The best public sentiment far as 1t has ex-
pressed itself indorses their position, although
The Eagle" with a surprising lack of civic
patriotism, weakly consents to the surrender OF
the Plaza to the grasping railroads
The reason for it's course is probably TO De
found in the circumstance that The Eagle was
earnestly opposed 10 the erection of the terminal
on It's present site and wished the Bridge railway
extended farther uptown; but that certainly is
poor argument for giving up the costly Plaza in
order 70 save a railroad company from the ex-
pense Of providing adequate approf cfes to the
Bridge for its cars.
THE BOTCH OF A STATION.
The apparent disposition of a majority OF the
Bridge trustees to WELL to the demand for trolley
tracks on the plaza is in keeping with the gem
eral character OF that body, which has been not
only provokingly slow in providing improve
ments. but even after devoting years 10 work
that should have been fastened in every way
possible produces result that cannot from any
point Of view be regarded as satisfactory IL is
so plain that the trustees can no longer conceal
Il from themselves that the new station IN Brook
lyn is far from accomplishing what was expected
OF it, Casual examination of 1t before II was
orened for use seemed to indicate that II was
well planned but actual trial quickly revealed
It's defects and shortcomings
The chief fault is easy TO point out 1t is that
provision has not been made FOR the movement
OF Messengers on leaving the cars In one direc-
ton as was virtually the case in the old station.
The stairways leading to the street and TO the
Kings County elevated road are in the middle
Of the station and run In two directions Inc re-
suit Is that during the rush hours there are cur
rents of humanity moving in opposite ways al
the same time, with collisions and strife newt
able.
II is contended on behalf OF the trustees and
engineers that the station is only diminished.
or a little NOR. and that when completed the
causes Of trouble will be removed. II does not
look that way to an outsider, and II is an ac-
Acknowledgement OF characterization that plans are
already under consideration for temporary ar
rangements that VIII diminish the existing causes
of trouble one OF the trustees has made haste
TO proclaim that the plans now partly carried out
were adopted only after having been approved
by a commission OF expert engineers But ne
failed TO state that a previous board OF experts
disapproved this plan OF enlargng tho capacity
OF the Bridge railroad. and unanimously In
dorsed the circulating system devised by the
lafn A Welin