New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-16
RUINOUS TO FINE ROADS.
AN EMPHATIC PROTEST AGAINST troll
LEY EXTENSION IN WESTMINSTER.
PROPOSED LINE TO RYE BEACH CALLS OUT A
STRONG REMoNsTRANCE FROM PROP
ERTY- OwNERs AT THE HEAR


ING IN RYE
wha, might he called field day was had yes
terday by leading residents of Westchester County
who are opposing the conhscation of their splendid
highways by trolley railroads Among those who
attended the hearing of the application of the Port
Chester Railroad before tho Supreme Court Com
mission in Rye were Charles A. Gould former
commodore Of the American Yacht Club William
IL Catlin president OF the Westchester County
Horse Show Association: c. Stewart schenck the
leader OF the coaching parties in Rye: John H. Pool
DR. Samuel Hail. William II. Parsons. j. Howard
Wainwright. the Rev DR.. George A. Knox. Adolph
Bender John A. Gwynne and others. Nearly all "
them gave testimony to show the ruinous effects
that the trolley road II built. will have upon the
utility Of the highways and the value OF property
John f Parsons conducted the opposition 10 the
trolley roads and took a different than has
been pursued by Frederick w. Sherman. attorney
for the Port Chester Railroad Mr.. Sherman
brought witnesses from ewHaven and other East
ern manufacturing cities TO testify that trolley
road would hurt Rye. Mr.. Parsons took men
who have lived in Rye for years and own proper
ties there. and placed them on the stand. where
they testified that entirely the opposite would be
the effect.
The first witness was c. Stewart Schenck who
has spent 10000 building houses and convert
ing Sound View Park into a fashionable residence
section Mr. Sherman attempted 10 show that MI
Schenck was assessed for less than 100000. and
therefore the damages to his property would he less
than he claimed.
j Howard Wainwright the second witness
Mr. Wainwrght's family formerly owned 200 acres
Of the fine residential section OF Milton Point In
order to get to Rye Beach with its crowds of
pleasure seekers. the trolley company must use
the roads built by the people and now used by
them In driving between their homes and the Rye
station Of the New-York New-Haven and Hart
ford Railroad. Mr.. Wainwright in showing the ex-
olusiveness OF this district and how absolutely USE
less trolley road would he. said that only seven
teen houses had been built there In the last twenty
years. Among the owners OF these are simeon
Ford George s Dearborn. William H Catlin. Will
lam A. Read II. De h. Parsons and others. one
of the houses built by the late William II. Star
Suck president of the New-England Railroad. with
the property which it is located is said 10 nave
cost nearly 100000 The others are all large. and
occupants have their horses and carriages and
would probably never patronize a trolley road
The testimony OF w. ID. Beck. former proprietor
of a summer resort at Rye Beach. was called TO
Mr. Wainwrght's attention. Mr.. Beck said that
the crowds that frequent his place are orderly
and cause complaint from the residents MT
Wainwright said that the people the same
one would expect to find at ordinary shore re-
sort so near large city like New-fork sometimes
they were orderly and sometimes Their conduct ,d
away. and the noise Is often perceptloie where ne
Charles Evert McManus. who. with his parents
and brother and sister, has lived near Rye Beacn
ers have annoyed him frequently at the beach
and in passing along the road thsr homes. He
said some of them were boisterous in the day ana
far into the night.
one Of the best witnesses of the day was Will
lam H. Catlin president Of the Westcnesier Co1ny
large country homes in Rye. and sold or leased
them TO summer residents. He is also familiar
with all kinds of driving. For several years he
ran line Of coaches to New York, and frequently
fooled coaches 10 Rye Lake and White Plains. He
said that for the last twelve years the highways
OF Rye and Harrison have been better than those
in any other part of Weschester County. having
been kept in condition by public spirited citizens
who gave literally toward macadamzing and Drain
ing them. and who are now opposing the trolley.
Mr.. Parsons tried TO get from the witness com
Plains and East Chester. where trolley roads have
been built but Mr.. Sherman objected. Mr.. Cat
lin finally asked TO what extent trolley roads
interfered with driving and. being permitted 70
reply. said that I'm East Chester and White Plains
they interfered that the horses to his coach had
be walked. The interference. he said. was caused
road. He also testified to the effect of the troll
ley on the value of property. saying that summer
residents would not care 10 rent houses on the
shore front II trolley road was 10 be built one
man. who has 100000 in property already wants TO
sell out and away merely because OF the fear
that the road will be built. IT was afterward
York banker and broker. Another hearing VIII
probably be held before the Commissioners are !
ready TO give decision The testimony OF ne
sheets.
The Peekskil Traction Company newly or
ganized trolley company has elected Frank
dent: J. l.. Jarvis treasurer. and Jacob Lorsch. |
secretary It's directors Matthew Clune. j.. F. |
Martin, James II. Halght. Hanford Smith and j. |
r. Decatur, with the officers They intend to begin
work building the road on next Wednesday, and 1t |
will connect the Hudson River Railroad station !
with the state capp Of instruction Lake Mohesan
have the road ready to begin running by Memorial |
Day.