New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-18
BRIDGES NOW OR TEN YEARS HENCE?
QUESTION AS To DRAwBRIDGEs RAISED BY

BRIDGES NOW OR TEN YEARS HENCE?
QUESTION AS To DRAwBRIDGEs RAISED Ry
THE MAYORS LATEST SCHEMES
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir; Is it not apparent TO every careful observer
that the building of bridges 100 feet above tide
water and ignoring the fact that there is n dis
rlct along the waterfront entitled TO consider
alton, portcnds a calamity to a section which has
Always been recognized the most valuable in the
boroughs OF this great city. dooms to bankruptcy
thousands Of enterprlsins business men, and re-
duces to poverty many who rely upon income from
realty in the wholesale and manufacturing sections
OF New York City?
Is 1t not fact that the terminus Of all the
contemplated elevated structures il half a mile or
more from the waterfront. and that by construct
Ing such bridges, and such only decay and de-
struction are the lot Of the most desirable COM
mercia and manufacturing district? Shall We CON
tinue the insane notion that "A waterway through
the centre OF city Of more than three million in
habitants Is too sacred 10 be spanned by IA draw
bridge?
More bridges is the cry Of all and more bridges
the city must have II there Is to be prosperity
Not bridges which require $4,000 900 in money ar
ten years TO build. but bridges which can be bull. IN
Two years at less than one-quarter the expense
NOT prldees merely TO carry lawyers. retail trades
men ana 'helr CLERKS and the shoppers to and from
suburban houses. but bridges to advance the in
inc manufactures. as well the poor people who
necessarily live In tenement houses and manufact-
uring districts In a word We want drawbridges
such as large cities Of the Old World insist upon
ana such as must follow the union of two great
water-fronts in one municipality with common
interests: II orr city Is to be recognized as a city
OF manufacturing and commercial importance
TWO years ago a proposition sujmitted 10 the
Legs ature for a drawbridEe from the junction of
Washington and Kent ayes. Brooklyn, TO Corlears-
81. Manhattan. and another from Brdge-st
lSrooklyn' TO Clinton-st.. Manhattan II thar
proposition had been favorably acted upon both
would have been completed by this time and the
problem would have been solved The location of
bridges AZ these points will put Quletus upon the
claims or the Uhlman- Barrett McCarren brigade. OF
spectators, and enable them to enjoy their special
privileges secured through the LeCislaiure and
IN no way prevent their entering upon the work of
building their private railroad structure. which
they never intend TO build.
Are we TO go on taxing people TO build ee-
waited bridges almost exclusively for the uptown
districts OF Manhattan and the uptown and sub
urban districts OF Brooklyn. when nearly half
dozen drawbridges be built at the expense Of a
single elevated structure in quarter the time
and for the real benefit OF people entitled 10 inn
mediate consideration. "
q, IT is true that we want bridges and must have
mem without delay. but 10 get them must not
bankrlpi city or Its people. when we can secure
whai VIII minister to wants far better without
banhruptins either The city or its people.
~ oo c AUGUSTUS HAVILAND.
No $50 Fuon-st., Brooklyn. Dec. 10. 1895.