The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-17
REPRIEVE FOR MANHATTAN
HoN'r NAVE TO MOVE OUr or BAT
Terry PhRK 7O-DdT.

ASKS for Another Extension OF Time aud
CIausen Consents to Discuss tho Matter
Correspondence Betweon Park Com
missioner and Nice-Presidept Skitt.
George @. Clausen. Commissioner Of Parks
for Manhattan and Richmond. announced yes
terday through Willis Hoiley that no effort
would be made to-day to Gust tho Manhattan
elevated road from Battery Park The Park
Board. as a whole. had nothing to do with this
attack on Manhattan. as Mr. Clausen has eX-
elusive jurisdiction over Battery Park. lie
gave the original order on Feb. II. command
ing the Man hattan Company TO move it, struc-
turs out OF Battery Park within six months.
He also granted the extension OF three
months and II was with him that all cor
rcspondence relating to the matter has been
carried on. BY order OF Commissioner
Clausen Mr. Holley gave out yesterday copies
Of q letter from Alfred Skitt. Vice-President
q the Manhattan. TO Commissioner Clausen.
and copies OF the Commissioners reply Mr..
Hkitt's letter bore the date OF Nov. IL and
asked for further extension OF three months.
Commissioner Clousen's reply was dated yes
tsrday and requested Mr.. Skitt to give more
definite declaration Of the company's inten-
Mons.
Mr.. Skitt called attention IN his letter to the
fact that the subject OF the occupation OF
sidered on several other occasions and that. In
1891. some citizens made a determined effort
TO induce the Park Department to insist upon
the removal OF the company's structure from
the park. Mr.. Sktt said that the question was
gone into very thoroughly at that time. but
that mono OF the officials then connected with
tho company was now connected with It and
that Mr. Skitt had not been able. as yet.
10 consult with the company's counsel. Julien
h., tA ff.NEh m nfnlV ~
turned from an extended tip abroad. An cx-
tension OF time was asked, therefore. to enable
Mr. Skitt to consult with Mr.. Davies in order
that certnin considerations might lie laid be-
fore Commissioner C!Guse1 before the radical
measure Threatened wa, proceeded with
While We Understand that thu notice you
have given calls fort complete discussion in
our railroad facilities TO those lsins the ,errics
referred to. our occupation ~ Battery Park
tho Improvement OF our strue'1re1 a. q. the
must deal with these matters with you In such
msnner as to satisfy your sense Of what the
We have not done You the injustice OF surprising
that you have ueci led these ne stions and ire.
hearing what we have to suggest as throw.
ing light upon their decision. Among other
subjects 70 bc thought OF In this connection
are the Diminished Inconvenience to those
osinR the park that will arise from our inn
proved methodS OF electric TRANSFORMATION. now
On the eve OF adoption. aud the necessity OF
harmontzing our connections with the ferries
with the system Of underground transit TO the
ferries that must inevitably form part OF AIRY
underground means OF rnpid transit
In hia reply Mr.. Clauscn said.
Referring to the argument in your favor OF
the 18th inst. beg 10 disrlaim your asser-
ton that radical measure Is threatened that
will destroy the connection o! the elevated
railroads with the Whitehall ferries Thi.
connection can rs vel be made without the
use OF Battery Park and in the rey ort o.
routes for the elevated railroads the usc Of
the park was NOT oontenpated Your suggcs.
ton that the proposed change to electricity n.
means OF propulsion removes. In whole
or In part th. objection To ynur
structure from a park standpoint. does NOT
seem TO me a good one On the contrary, The
time OF making this change in your system
seems the most convenient and b, one for
max ing the further change Of rrlinruishing
what oven the railroad officials must have
always recognized as TEMPORARY eNpedient
and tentative privilege. IL is almost self
evident that an application for permission to
erect an elevated railway tor electric or steam
IN Battery Park could not he
granted by the Department o. PARKS at this
time II there was no structure there now Pub
lie opinton would not SUPPORT the department
In such action.
On receiving some expression from You on
the lines Indicated | will be glad TO hear from
You concerning the matters that YOU deem
pertinent to full confederation and determine
ton OF the questions involved. II is somewhat
70 be regretted. though. that tho nine months
that the matter has been opan have NOT
fore" ~ ~