New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-30
AGAINST TROLLEY ROADS.
'RREsIDDNT OF RYE PROTECTIVE Asso.
CITATION SUMS UP.
SoHN r. PARSONS TELLS THE SUPREME COURT
COMMISSIONERS OF THE HARM THAT WOULD
RE DONE TO THAT PART OF WEST.
- CHESTER SHOULD LINES BE
INTRODUCED.


81 After nearly a year Of periodical sessions in
which almost a thousand pages or typewriter
Testimony have been taken. the Supreme Court
commissioners appointed to determine on the
necessity OF a trolley road In Rye. westminster
County. adjourned yesterday.
Before adjourning the Commissioners gave an
hour TO each Of the attorneys In which TO sum up.
There was a large number Of spectators present TO
hear the arguments, among them some OF the
women OF Rye who all along have taken lively
interest in the fight being made by the Rye Pro-
receive Association for the protection OF the hish-
ways John f. Parsons president and counsel OF
the association. made the arguments IN its behalf
Frederick w. Sherman represented the PORT
Chester Railroad Company, whose applications Tot
franchises to Rye Beach and Mamaroneck are
under consideration.
81 have lived in Rye all OF my life" said MI
Parsons In beginning his argument. IT Is essen
tally place of homes with no manufacturing
and business, except the local trade. The inter-
ests of the place are opposed to making 1t .
business centre. Business and manufacturing on
the scale that It would be possible to carry them
on here would benefit no one. but would destroy
the value OF property.
'II the interest OF preserving our present condi-
tions" continued Mr.. Parsons. "the Rye Protective
Association was formed. had the honor to be
made president. not here for personal rea-
sons, as the trolley route does not AFFECT my
property Those who have appeared before the
Commissioners have come because the interests
of the town are at stake. If this trolley road
IS permitted to proceed the route 1t has chosen
the town will suffer"
COMPANY BROKE FAITH
Mr. Parsons then told how the town authorities
had gone to great expense in opening Midland
ave. a back street. for the trolley company. and
how the company agreed with the Rye Protective
Association TO use this route and not to destroy the
fine drives and highways The company had
ruthlessly broken faith. The only explanation was
that 1t did want TO go to the expense Of build
ing and grading tracks over new roads Mr. Parsons
said that the witnesses for the trolley company
few men from New-Hayen and BridgePor, The ,e
iseT r c ssd as d sH the ne enend Of
trolley roads had done no good in New-Hsyen and
Mr. Higgins OF Belle Haven. Mr.. Parsons thought
completely offset this testimony when ne show e
that lands had been increased from SoO 10 So,W
an acre there in a few years. without the aid Of a
street railroad of any kind He also recalled the
sorts who are anxious for trolley road to their
places. No doubt they ran their places as orderly
crowds thronged there TO see prize-fghter. and
,ss s0S all wh Of Po S
testfyng in the interest of the trolley company In
ow en " by the Merchants Of Rye The trolley
cars, with their crowds OF noisy pleasure-seeK'rs
would also past the churches
Mr. Parsons also spoke against the route asked
for by the IN HsT5sSn on ne b ss 1oads OF
Rive and Harrison. making them the finest ne mao
ever seen. either on the Continent OF Europe OF IN
Great Britain improvements had also been maoe
by Whielaw Reid
RUIN OF BEAUTIFUL ROADS.
The Protective Association contends that on this
route the troiley-road should be compelled to take
back streets or purchase right of way through
private property. The Trustees OF Mamaroneck
had taken action to protect the Boston Post ROAD
Mr. Parsons wanted to express hope that neither
this Commission nor any other Commission would
ever allow the beautiful post road TO be degraaed
by a trolley. 1t would mean the ruin OF 1hls en-
tire section OF Westchester County - -.
This he said was the opinion not only In Hye pu'
an Mamaroneck, New-Rochee and Larchmont
Mr. Parsons closed by asking the commissioner
10 reegate the company 10 the negotiations wnicn
it was engaged in for back route, when II SUD
denly broke off and demanded the finest streets IN
town. ga Gotta 81
had been guilty Of no breach OF faith. Inc Miu,
1and-ave route was not available for troney, auu
Mr. Bushnell had no authority TO bind the com,
many to use IT, In fact he had not presumeu "
make such a contract He had simply auenueo
sneeting 10 discuss what could be done lot MS
company -, 1.-.,..,o,ars snent sev-
eral hours in driving about the magnlnceni Gouut ~
sround RIVE 1t is probable that their decision VIII
be given before Friday when their terms eAPiie