New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-16
THE RAPID-TRANSIT INQUIRY.

TESTIMONY AS TO THE EFFECT on PROPERTY
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROAD.
The Commissioners appointed by the Supreme
Court to take testimony determine whether
rapid-transt railway ought 20 be built In accord
ance with the plans Of the Rapid Transit Board,
resumed its session yesterday afternoon at No 2o'
Broadway.
j. f. Roosevelt. OF the firm OF Roosevelt Coboe'
representing the Broadway improvement Conn
many and the owners of property along Broadway
from No. s35 to &3 filed protest against the
proposed railroad.
Frank Lord a reai-estate expert. Of No 3ls Broad
way was asked what effect the construction OF the
road would have on the rental value Of the prop
er,y along Broadway, from Park Place to Thirty
fourth-st
'.rhc construction OF the proposed railway sad
he would be absolutely ru1nous for the time De-
ing to the rental value Of Broadway property.
Many would refuse to remain altogether and those
who would remain while the work was being done
would use it as an argument why their rents
should not be reduced 1t will drive the tenants
away for a long time. and getting them back VIII
be a slow process"
Commissioner Coudert asked the witness If 1t was
mot a fact that than half the property owners
along Broadway opposed TO the cable road
md the witness said he believed that was So
''Ie the proposed road is built do you think it will
when completed improve the value of property|
asked Mr. Coudert.
Eyes sir: l believe Il will be good thing, ana
that will improve the value OF property when 1t Is
finished" was the reply.
William f. King drygoods merchant. Nos. 4l0 and
42 Broadway, next took the stand He said that the
cable road while being constructed injured business
very much 80. ...
will destroy our basement by cutting off light and
Ventilation and will injure business
MIR King admitted that rapid transit was needed
in New-York. 80, -.
want II at the cost OF principal thoroughfare-
Eroadway..'
pSeverai other Broadway property-owrers testified
that the construction of the road would lnJure Dus-
...ao,or No -oe
Fast Seyenteenth-st. said that there was bad bot
tom around Fourteenth-st. for excavation MI Gal
iiean described the character OF the SOIL below four
feenth-st He said that water could De sTuck AZ d
distance of seven feet at Canal-st. and al distance
NJ fourteen feet at Grand-st. The witness then ue-
scribed the course of creek which, he said hoWs
from Forty-sixth-st. In a zgzag way TO Fourth,ave
and Twenty-seyenth-st. and empies into the East
River at Nineteenth-st , . ,o, 90 coroa
The witness said 1t would be dangerous 10 Soins
.ithin twenty feet of buildings In the neghDorhood
NJ Canal-st for the purpose OF snoreng thein up
md added that II would be extremely dangerous 10
70 below the foundation walls. Between Wa!keI
snd Grand SITS in Broadway. Mr.. Galligan sald tidt
owing To- the nature of the soil 1t would be neces
ssrv 10 use rheumatic caissons in order 10 perfect
the foundations for underpnnine. .u
The witness said 1t would take three or iour
roonths 10 shore up the Baltimore and Ohio Ran
road building at Canal-st. and Broadway, ana that
e. woud cost 5000 or 5000
An adjournment was taken until this afternoon at
o'clock