New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-03
MR. ORR TO THE PARK BOARD.
SOME CAUSTIC REMARKS ON THE CON-
PARATIvE VALUE OF TREES AND
RAPID TRANSIT

Following the action Of the Park Board In re.
fusing consent 10 the plans Of the Rapid Transit
Commission because Of possible injury TO two grass
plots and Il few trees In Battery Park Alexander
L. Orr, president Of the Rapid Transit Commission,
has addressed a pertinent and pointedly worded
letter to the Board. in which he says that much as
the Rapid Transit Commissioners regret that the
Park Department has seen fit to take this action
there does not seem to be anything to do but to
acquiesce In that which they cannot change. 1T
is unfortunate. however" the letter continues.
that the adverse action of your Board has been
delayed so long The plans which you have dis
approved were adopted by our Board on April I.
and were transmitted TO your Department for APP
prevail disapproval April H."
After detailing the objections OF the Park De-
partment to the plans, the proposals OF the Rapid
Transit Commissioners 10 meet these objections by
relaying Battery Park with soil after the tunnel
had been completed. and after quoting the Cor
poraton Counsers opinion which Mr.. Orr says
Is identical with an opinion previously expressed by
the counsel to the Rapid Transit Commission,
Mr. Orr continues:
1.-THE objections raised by your Department are
not such as be obviated Two OF them namely
the depth Of the tunnel and manner Of Its con.
struction relate to details which this Board al you
have been informed by the Corporation Counsel,
has no right to pass upon until your consent as
part Of the municipal authorities Of the city has
been obtained.
"A refusal. therefore by you to approve the plans
on the ground that you cannot obtain binding as
srance from our Board In relation to these details
Is tantamount to a refusal by you TO give your con-
sent to any plans which may be proposed for this
route. AS to the suggested change or route, this
might be obviated by commencing de novo and
preparing new plans 10 be submitted 10 the Com
mon Council. the Mayor and your Board for APP
prevail There is inadequate time. however. for
this purpose between now and January |, when
the consolida lion OF the outlying territories with
the city Of New-York goes into effect. and when
new and innumerabe difficulties will arise This
inadeduacy of time has been caused solely
by the delay of your Department in determining
what action 1t would take on the plans flied
with II.
Il feel great apprehension that the refusal OK
yoIr consent TO the construction OF the Battery
loop irnpcrils She whole scheme OF rapid transit
formulated by Board; for while II Is true tnat
your action has no direct effect upon the northern
foute which is now before the Supreme Court Com
m.ssioners, and to which your Board mas a!ready
given it's consent, II cannot be necessary 70 pom.
Place route make the enterprise less atttacuve
10 contractors who called upon 20 bid not only
tor the construction Of the road. but FOR It's opera
Il, is not improper for mo in closing to express
10 your Board the great regret that Zee! tnau IN
specially authorized by the LEGISLATURE sPprIF:d
bv tho Mayor and Common Council. desired by z
majority Of the property-holders affected ana
frIiIghi as I believe with nestmable benents 20
the community at large. should be endangered py
a c,estion of a few inches OF grading over TWO
grass plots in BATTERY Park and the preservation
OF a tree more or less. ...... %
IN closing this letter 4 also seems pertlnenuI, 70
add That ths route under Battery Park from which
80, noIy ~ithhod your approval comedies exactly
with the route under that Park 10 which the con-
sent of your Board was given on June .. DO