New-York tribune., 1896-11-25
4 DISGRACE TO THE CITY.
FIRST-AvE.'S SLOUGH OF DESPOND-TiiE
METROPOLITAN TRACTION COMPANY
RJANED-NO RELIEF IN SIGHT.

METROPOI.ITAN IRA'llo.> >O-"i @'-'A
BLAMED-NO RELIEF IN SIGHT
Despite repeated complaints and continued indig-
nant protests of the residents and tradespeople OF
Cirst-ave that thoroughfare still remains In con-
dion which is disgrace to the city. fro"
Twenty-third-st to Harlem four-f or the side-
walks are occupied by an almost continuous hnc
O. huge blocks OF paving stones. For seVera'
blocks in many places the roadway Is apsoiuie!
,mpsssable for vehicular traffic. Between Thirty
second and Fiftieth sts the cutters are blocked
with large stone slabs. around which the MIN anu
sweepncs of the streets have accumulated ana
on the refuse gathered " thick crop OF grass y
growing as II nature were anxious 10 moe 'he
scandal which the responsible people neglect
In June last three contracts were awarded ior
asphaltng First-ave from Eighth-st. TO One-huh-
dred-and-twenty -nintn-st. At the same ume 'ne
railroad companies whose tracks are ia'd a'oNs
this street wero informed that they must grau'
their lines properly. The companies tore up 'he
pavements between the rails. dumped the stones
on the Sidewalk: and after grading the tracks
refused TO restore the pavement on the plea th't
thejr charter did not oblige them 10 do So Inc
Pubrc Works Department insists. but Inc COM
anies will rccede from the position they NAY"
taken up and the present deadlock Is tne result
Between Thirty-secord-s'. ana fhue'h-S'' '"e
road between the sidewalks and rails mas oss.. sa
ssphaited but the uncovered ground between ,ue
rails easily nues any N e stePi to K'fR tSe aoad
tracks are nothing more than thicR cesspo' VI
Shiny mud ,. ,,,,.s,onor ~,
Public Works. when asked yesterday oy "a ,,iai, i.i
hume reporter why II was that such man'et't
want of energy was displayed In improving the
condition Of Frs,-ave said The fau doei t,rda1 no,
lie with this department but with the ra,iroao n
companies When the department umderlooh 'I,e
work OF repavng the avenue from I%en'r,mr,S nn,,cc
IN One hundred and twenty n3nth-st que hotiCe
,ras given 10 the companies to regulate the paw
ing between the tracks and the rails TO the proper
grade. ,, hitch r,,s c,re
on First-ayc north of Fifty-ninth-st.. mas aImost
completed the work required OF H. but the ,,'n bea
Line which is controlled by the Metropoh'Mnh az
Traction Company points out that IT Is not IN.
cumbent upon il restore the paving stoi'S
which have been removed for gradins,, p1lPosTsd sea
I maintain that the obligation Is incidcntaI ana
renessarv and one from which the company
canno, be relieved by any technical exemption
that NAV be afforded by its charter. .
Asked az to now long the present state state, OF tnngs
was likely 10 continue. Mr.. Wilds replied ina, ,nr
Department of Public Works was exertins an me tne
pressure possible the company. ana II must soon
be compelled conform to the obligation tha' rests
uDon IT, - >,.-o.o,,.., rroc,,on
president Vreeland. Of the Metropolitan traction ,
Comnanv was not a. his office when ne reporter
sought him In turn the reporter endea'oiFn 10
sec the vice president. secretary surveyor anu a.
tornev of the line. but in each case ne was IN
formed that these officials were not IN