The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-06-13
GROWTH OF NEW YORK.
Statements Brought Out by Propose
Law Against High Buildings.

Statements Brought Out by Proposed
Law Against High Buildings.
The limits of growth for New York
city are defined in her architectural
possibilities alone. That must be clear
to anyone who has studied carefully
the history and phenomena OF her re-
cent growth. Within 45 minutes
limit of travel from New York city hail
there are differences of over $1,000 per
cent in the present market value OF
property. In some localities within
his area land may be bought for 20 cents
per square foot; on Manhattan island.
within half a mile of the city hall, land
has sold for over $500 per square foot
For three-story and basement town
house of IL TO IA rooms, the rent IN New
York city, within the 45-minutes' limit
Of transit from the city hall, will range
between $500 and $4,000 per year, &C
cording to the location. In Brooklyn,
Jersey City and Hoboken, within the
15-minutes' limit of transit from New
York city hall, the same character OF
house may be rented at from $40 TO
s72o per year. This has been the case
for so many years that it safely demon
strates a law of preference for resi-
dence in New York city under which
the man who is able will pay from four
to ten times as much for the privilege
of residing in the metropolis as the
same home accommodations would cost
him in any of her suburbs. Whether the
advantages are always compensation for
the cost is question resting In the ma
turs Of the individual for its solution.
Some men would prefer comfortable
cottage in ample grounds in the Orange
mountain section of New Jersey to an
elaborate establishment in the heart
of the millionaire colony, at equal cost.
But the great mass of mankind will
live as close to the center of daily ac-
ton in the metropolis as is practica-
BILE.
With this incessant pressure upon the
land, this increasing demand for room,
the limit of use will be reached only
when the area has been built to its high
est attainable level within economic
limits. modified only by the possibilities
of street transit. What the limit Of pos
sible attainment In this direction shall
come time prove to be can only be sur
missed. Underground railroads are go
ing to increase the capacities of the
thoroughfares to unknown limits.
When these shall have been reached,
doubtless some new system of transit,
through the blocks or further under
ground, perhaps, may remove the lin
its still further into the indiscernible
future. AS to the possible height of
construction within economic and alb
solutely safe limits, Mr.. Otis, of ele-
vator fame, had said he would not set
1t lower than 30 stories. Beyond that
height elevator capacity and founda-
tiop space would encrcach upon econ
omy These are a few of the factors
that must be taken into consideration,
1t would seem, in legislating on the
subject of tall buildings. All the other
factors thus far referred to in the dis
cussicn are of minor character.
The financial center is determined
and cannot be moved. It's present loca-
ton Is its future home-for all time.
"a order that adequate accommodation
u this section can be had by those de-
firing it, it is necessary to build the
very high building which is the product
Of recent yearS-N Y Post