New-York tribune., 1896-03-29
THE LIBRARY SITE.

So far as we have observed. the application
OF the New-York Public Library trustees FOR the
reservoir site on Fifth-ave Is objected 10 on ohi!
three grounds There are some persons VINO
do not regard that as the best available site Tor
the library but we think that they are 4 small
minority, and that their opinion does not hoiu
good against the deliberate Judgment OF the
trustees. fortified by the arguments when the
nature of this undertaking and the conditions
of life in New-York supply. There is consid-
cradle opposition among fire insurance men 10
the destruction of the reservoir. which they seem
TO think essential TO the safety of property Oh
the East Side Of the city. But the chief engineer
Of the Croton AQucduct explicitly says that there
IS nothing in their contention, that neither the
supply nor the pressure of water would be di-
mipisheI by the removal Of the reservoir az
Forty-second-st the fact being that what Is
needed are additional mains from the reservoir
in Central Park to the lower part OF the city.
The third objection Is raised by those who think
that an open space is more needed than library
nj the point where the trustees want to build
But OppostiOn on this score proceeds in part
from misunderstanding Of the facts. 1t Is not
proposed to encroach in the least degree on
BRYANT Park On the contrary. considerable
SPACE would be added TO 1t. in effect, for the
library building as the trustees say. would leave
an unoccupied margin OF one hundred feet on
Fifth-aye and fifty feet at each end
1t is held, however by some persons ana NOT
without show of reason. that the reservoir
ought to be removed, not in order that another
building, no matter how excellent its character
and purpose may be erected on its site. but In
order that Bryant Park may be extended to
Fifth-ave. and kept forever open and unob-
structed. We sympathize cordially with the gen
era disposition to increase as far as Is prac-
ticable the ciys park reserves, and 10 defend
those we have against encroachment and IN
worthy uses. If Bryant Park now included the
whole area bounded by Fifth and Sixth aves. and
Forteth and Forty-second SITS, the library Eus-
tees application for that site would have very
different aspect, would certainly encounter much
stronger opposition. and might perhaps deserve
only TO be rejected outright though even then,
in our opinion, some strong arguments could be
advanced In It's support. 1t may be said that
the proposal ought to be treated as II the
park extended to Fifth-ave., nasmuch as po-
tentially Ii has that extent already the removal
OF the reservoir sooner or later being certainty.
But such a contention is ingenious rather than
substantial. Nobody can foretell the future, but
this at least Is sure, that long AS the reservoir
remains at the disposition OF the municipality
there will always be danger OF It's being uti-
mately employed or removed In furtherance or
some undesirable scheme. II the site were sur
rendered to the public library that risk would
be avoided, and Its occupation for a noble use
would be permanently guaranteed.
Conceding, therefore, that some contingent
sacrifice would be involved in giving this site
to the library, we feel that the city would obtain
substantial compensation Such a building as
the trustees can be trusted to put up would In
itself be a source Of public credit and Of pleas
ure and instruction to all the people. There
may possibly be persons perverse enough 10 rca-
son that the city Is asked to make handsome
gift to owners OF real estate In the nelghbor-
hood Of the reservoir, the value Of whose prop
erty would be enhanced II the trustees request
should be granted. Such a suggestion has been
offered, we believe. in years past, when one or
another plan for utilizing the reservoir site has
been under consideration. But those who offer
1t overlook the fact that the city In reality makes
a handsome gift TO itself OF revenue from taxa
ton when II performs an act which enhances
real estate values The representatives OF the
library even 60 so far as to suggest that the
municipal income might thus be Increased by a
sum greater than the interest on the cost OF Il
suitable library building. But this Is not con-
sideration Of the first Importance. The main
question is whether the city, owning and en-
ploying for temporary use not essential to its
welfare site which the best judges deem to be
admirably adapted to the requirements OF the
great institution now taking form under their
direction, can reasonably be asked to surrender
1t for that purpose 1t seems to us that the
right answer to the question Is the answer which
the library trustees solicit The further applica-
ton for a building fund is important, but we
agree with Mayor Strong that this Is an unfavor-
able time to present 1t. There Is danger that 1t
would embarrass rather than facilitate the plans
of the trustees, by postponing the settlement OF
their most pressing and difficult problem.