New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-08
ASTORIA COMPANY'S GRANT.
LAND BOARD TAKES FAVORABLE ACTION
NETWORK CITY MAY CONTEST
IT IN THE COURTS
fpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNEJ
Albany Dec. 1.-The proposition OF Jonn l. NC
Donough, Secretary OF State. that the STATE au
thorities should only lease for brief periods and
never SELL the valuable lands under water ABOUT
New-York Harbor has been defeated temporarily
at least. To-day the Land Board OF which ne Is
member. granted sixteen and onehalf acres OF lana
under water at Berran Island. Astoria, 10 the
Astoria Light. Heat and Power Company OF New
York This company, as is well understood designs
to construct gigantic gas works on the mainland AT
Berrian Island and send gas from that location
by means OF tunnel TO be constructed under the
East River. 10 gas companies In New-York. The
firm OF Tracy, Boardman Platt has had the
mana cement OF the application of the Astoria
Light Heat and Power Company here, and was
represented by two of its members before the Land
Board to-day. who naturally pleased over the
result OF their work
The value OF the land 10 be sold TO the Astoria
Light Heat and Power Company had been APP
praised at So 500 so, at the rate OF 5000 an acre
II Is reported here that certain land under water
about New-York Harbor is worth 10000 an acre
But the Land Board to-day apparently had no sus-
picion that a mistake might have been made In
this appraIsement OF the land at Astoria as being
worth only 5000 an acre for there was little con-
sideration Of this phase OF the subject or an at
tempt made TO get larger compensation for the
State.
The members Of the Land Board present were
Lieutenant Governor WOOuruU, Speaker MAUI Va
the Assembly, Secretary OF State McDonough
Controller Morgan, Attorney General Davies, state
Treasurer Jaeckel and State Engineer Bond. Their
action on the application OF the Astoria Light
Heat and Power Company must be approved OF oy
Governor Roosevelt, since he signs the patent
which will be issued 10 the corporation The possi-
bic action OF the Governor on the patent is OF IN
terest but apparently, judging from the action OF
the Land Board to-day. It's members think he Will
not insist upon the adoption OF a leasing policy
The Astoria Light. Heat and Power Company was
represented here to-day before the Land Board by
James r. Solely and c. S. Bonner. Of the firm Of
Tracy, Boardman & Platt.
There was also present, but merely as locker
on, Edward j. Freedman. who represented the city
of New-York Mr. Freedman stated after the grant
had been made that the city Of New-York disputed
the right OF the Land Board to make 1t, and that
possibly proceedings would be taken In the courts
OF Albany County by NewYork City TO enjon the
Land Board Governor Roosevelt from issuing
the patent on the ground that the city authorities
by the terms Of the New-York City charter, nave
the exclusive control OF the waterfront lands, MT
Freedman also. thought the Land Board nad not
protected the ctys rights In lands at the ends or
streets as It should have done.
Secretary OF State McDonough stated that a con-
ference had been held with the Governor aooat
leasing the States lands under Tater sni no
not be made. had been reached The committee
which had waited upon the Governor, however,
favored the passage OF resolution declaring that
the Land Board would hereafter refuse TO grant
any lands absolutely and insist upon some restric
tions This would be return to the practice OF
the Land Board before. 1894 He then onered @ "a a
resolution cancelling a form Of patent whlcn pro-
vided for an absolute grant, and this resolution
was unanimously adopted.
II was argued by Controller Morgan that the
land should revert TO the State unless II was I'M
pointed out that the company had already exPend-
ed $4,000 on the property. which ought 10 be
sufficient guarantee Of its good faith.
In the end the Land Board unanimously adopted
the grant applied for by the Astoria company win
the provision: THAT unless the fulhlment OF the
purposes set forth in the application and the grant
be entered upon good faith within FIVE years tnis
grant shall be null and void" The date for the
Governors signature was written December IL for
the rea son that the Governor will be In Albany on
that day and the Land Board will also be n ses-
sion at which time II is stated the firm OF Tracy,
Boardman & Platt will have an opportunity 10
suggest amendments 10 the grant.