New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-31
THAT CONCOURSE.

1t Is gratifying to learn that strong opposl-
ton TO the scheme for a new boulevard beyond
the Harlem is developing at Albany, and espe
clally that Republican members of the Legis-
lature are working faithfully to defeat II. The
bill has been ordered to third reading in the
Assembly by close vote but it Will not be
passed If all who are opposed TO 1t on principe
act according to their convictions. Even II ii
should get through the Legislature once. IFS sue
cess would be far from assured. for 1t would
inevitably he returned to the Capitol by Mayor
Strong with a veto, and il passed second time
would presumably fail to receive the approval
Of a Governor who desires to make record for
economy in State government and could not
consistently authorize an enormous expenditure
for metropolitan enterprise to which the m'-
nicipal authorities Of New.York are strcnuously
opposed
The arguments against the execution OF the
cOncOurse scheme at this time and in its present
form which are being used by Assemblymen
Roeh- Sanger. Hustled McKeOwn, Brennan and
others are the arguments which The Tribune
has erdeavOred TO impress upon the Legislature.
II they are not effective it will be because prl-
vate and political interests are able TO exercise
n stronger influence than considerations Of prll-
dence and consistency. To state the case more
plainly. the BILL il it become a law, will become
law primarily because 1t contains a big job.
II NAV he conceded that thoroughfare giving
convenient access to a section of the city as yet
little developed may become necessity here
after 1t certainly is not so necessary now as
TO warrant ali immediate beginning of opera
tons on an enormous scale. thus putting the
scheme beyond the control Of the Board If Pub
lie Works which the new charter creates for the
special purpose Of initiating all desirable i'm
provements and conducting them with wisdom
and economy. If new municipal government
Ia TO be set up at the beginning Of next year. as
little new work of an important character as
possible ought TO be undertaken in the mean
time Assuredly an operation like this destined
TO cost q huge sum Of money and TO continue
indefinitely, should not be committed to n special
agency created for the purpose Of escaping the
jurisdiction Of a new administration and a new
charter.
1t has been earnestly and anxlously asserted
by men whose sOlicitude Is based upon accurate
knowledge OF the city's present condition and
superior means of forecasting the consequences
of consolidation that the taxpayers about to
assume, or rather TO have thrust upon them,
heavier burdens than they have ever had to
| Dear hitherto. we nope tneN VIII prove 10 ne
less oppressive than is feared but this is clearly
an inopportune time to incur large liabilities for
an object which is not Immediately and indis-
pensaby necessary. These considerations alone
ought TO defeat the cOncourse project but 1t hap
pens that they are made the more impressive by
reason of the fact that the bill also includes a
dscrcdltable job for the benefit of individuals
and the promotion of political ends. There is
no possible justification for the commission feat
IRE Of the bill, which provides fat salaries for
six men whose services would be indefinitely
prolonged. If the affair We're of pressing impor-
lance common-sense and common honesty would
require that provision to be stricken ont and
we venture TO assert that if it were now to he
stricken out very few persons would continue
to claim that It was an affair Of pressing impor-
| lance.