New-York tribune., 1899-12-17
STREET DISTRACTIONS.

Prior to the recent period Of its exclusion from
mower. Indifference TO the general convenience
and welfare had always been characteristic of
government by Tammany Hall. and there is
constantly increasing evidence that its defeat in
1894 did not inspire the organization with any
new desire or purpose TO serve the public more
attentivcly in case 1t should regain control Of
the city. The municipal administration has
been concluslvely convicted Of many great Of
fences. but our present intention is not 10 dwell
on that record. We have in mind one Of the
minor defaults which make life in NewYork
less agreeable and comfortable than it ought to
be. We refer to the Instructions which builders
are permitted to maintain in the streets, without
necessity and to the great annoyance Of all the
inhabitants.
This is in a remarkable degree, an era of con-
struction and especially of reconstruction in
New-York From the date of the appearance on
the upper West Side Of various types of domes-
tic architecture new to this city a disposition
almost amounting, It would seem, to passion,
to remodel houses which had satisfied the wants
of a former generation has been increasingly
manifested on every hand. Not long ago we
quoted the remark Of an observing foreigner
who, on being asked what most impressed him
In New-YOrk said that it was the habit Of tear
ing down costly and substantial houses in order
that they might be replaced by houses of a diff
ferent pattern. The fact which must have at
tracted universal notice. is forcibly illustrated
in the experience of resident who said the
other day that he had lived for five years in one
of the best blocks in the city and during that
time had never had unobstructed access to the
avenue on either side Z his house
Now, this process Of reconstruction in the
older parts of the city and the building up of the
newer parts in superior manner count for much
in the Improvement of the city's appearance;
but IL cannot he denied that great deal OF tenn
porary inconvenience is caused by such expan-
sion and rehabilitation. That would inevitably
be the case. even If suitable regulations as to
the use Of streets By builders were rigidly en-
forced. Even then many householder would
sigh for an interval of repose in his immediate
neighborhood and everybody would realize that
improvements involve discomforts But proper
requirements do not exist, or, if they exist they
are constantly neglected with the virtual con-
sent If not the actual connivance Of the authori-
ties. An excessive proportion of the street in
front Of the private property with which they
are dealing Is commonly taken possession OF for
their own purposes by builders, and the side
walk is often made almost impossible There is
no reason for this excepting the convenience.
selfshly consulted, of the contractor Such n
gross abuse Of the rights Of others would not be
tolerated for a moment In the great cities Of
Europe, or. we believe, In many cities of the
United States. 1t ought not TO be permitted
here, and would not be under municipal GOV
ernment which felt any sense Of obligation 70
the community. In fact, under the Strong ad-
ministraton, either because particular attention
was paid to this point or because its general