New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11
PALISADES PARK FAVORED
REPORT OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE EsTI-
MATES THE COST AT S26OOOO.

REPORT OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE EsTI-
MATES THE COST AT S26O,OOO.
Some Misrepresentation exists in the public mind
concerning the report of the committee ap-
pointed, at the request OF Governor Roosevelt
by the president Of the Society for the Preserva-
ton Of Scenic and Historic Places and Objects,
to act in conjunction with like commission
from New-Jersey, for the preservation of the
Palisades An accurate synopsis Of that report,
together with one of the bills drawn up by the
committee and introduced at Albany, is given
herewith. The condensation of these documents
was made by F. W. Devoe, chairman Of the
committee. The signers Of the report besides
Mr.. Devoe are F 5. Lamb, secretary; A G.
Mills E P. Cone and G. F. Kunz. The report,
which is addressed to the Governor, said:
The Commission appointed per your request
Of June II 1883 nave the honor report that they
have met and conferred with the CoanlS S aP-
pointed by the Governor OF the state OF .SeW-Js[
sey for the purpose and. acting in conjunction with
the New-Jersey Commissioners, have Jointly agreed
upon the following statement or facts and recon-
menda tons in relation thereto; ,,,.,
1t be promised that this report IS limited 70
tract extehGIng Ir2 Edison Riyar on he east
upon as the westernmost boundary Of such land
as may be required to be taken to erect the Cd
The business Of procuring stone from the Pail
sades for either for street paving or 10 be
crushed for road purposes has been carried on 10
less extent Tor some thirty years past
in operation have left unsghty spots in place OF
The ease with which these cns can be quarried
and the stone Temog ed ma Ine
Attention may be called 20 the fact that since
pendcaiaT ciiff the first few blasts. owing the
large charges OF high explosives now used qnlcK!y
take away the face Of the rock, destroying all It's
beauty
FACTORIES BLOT ON THE SCENE.
The western shore of the Hudson River in the
section indicated. by reason OF the shaIowness or
the water along the shore, readily lends itself 10
a second of DETACHMENT OF its natural
S factories 0 warehouses and docks and other
Inercia structures The shore south OF FQrt Lee
nfth-st. is already substantially wholly occupied
II II IS desired 10 preserve the natural scenic
beauty OF the Palisades II is almost, II not quite.
shore Factory and warehouse walls and chin
present themselves TO an observer eier rom
and absolutely destroy the scenic beauty OF the
The most honest, direct and effective means Of
erecting this object Is the condemnation and &C
tract OF Iahd ators M, ,fs oTnershfn nv fba
state viii forever prevent the destruction and de-
Placement complained Of +,a ,,.+aor anora ,be
o tbe cs NAV Be eliminated for the pres
emit since however desirable and beautiful II might
parative inaceessbility unavailable for commercial
ing for Of which easy access 10 the river Is
lying between the edge Of the cliffs and low water
mark in the river the GTnessnip 81 tne MnIe Ur
further blasting Of rock and the possible future
1t extends from the southern limit OF the tract
in question, near Fort Lee nSrthward 10 me terI-
teen and One-half miles. and comprises about ~
acres.
LAND AT SMALL COST
fair estimate of the value OF this strip an acre.
based upon the price which owners OF two and
one-haf linear miles in the central part OF the sec
ecton should be taken t. Pr9tecf n the d Ps sS
from further destruGtlon Is sou soed n "ou1 give
The ownership of the strip lying between the foot
Of the rocky slope, or talus. and low water mark
In the Hudson River is in most cases the as
that of the rock slope II is difficult to give any
its width varies from a few hundred feet IN rare
instances 70 n0Ihns az yl ISL
lis value is largely. that OF riparian rights, OBJ
ers and which, owing 70 the lowness OF the water
along the shore. would enable the filling in OF con-
houses About two and one-haii miles OF
s F nys from aaa PosBe riparian rights
be condemned alone, thereby cutting on the rock
probably give TO the owner the full value OF both.
thereby be destroyed; This would not De the case
II the elf face and rock slope should be alone
full value basis for the possible future acqu-
II is s. submitted also that further narrow strip
should be taken, extending norrhwardly from the
IN tha liver 10 connect with the river road az
Permont whereby the park 20 be constituted be-
stween the Palisades and the river may be made
accessible from Nyack and the surrounding sec
ton.
There should also be the prompt passage Of an
forbdding the granting OF any Iurther riparian
the limits OF the strip 10 be protected, the re-
stricton OF such rights so to prevent any filling
in FOR use for commercial or building purposes Of
any kind
a. 10 ss 5at e ~ou IN .s
prevent the erection in the nature az
defacenent which might otherwise be erected
pending condemnation proceedings. and by limiting
future rights that might otherwise be acquitted by
owners OF the shore front might serve materla IN
reduce the values that would be set upon such
lands by appraisers
LEGISLATION REQUIRED.
There should also be provided an act somewhat
on the lines OF the Niagara Falls Park act for tn
acquisition by the State OF the land between he
edge OF the cliffs and low water mark IN the river
or 80 much thereof as may be necessary 10 prevent