New-York tribune., 1900-04-22
THE MANHArTAN AND THE BATTERY.

JHE H1A HAITIAN All IHE BiI IEHl.
II has recently been asserted with an empha-
sis which ought not to be employed without
knowledge that after an embarrassing conflict
Of interests the Manhattan company has found
means to restore anicable relations with Tam
many Hail. and that in consequence the Park
Board is preparing to moderate the adherence
with which during the last year two it has
regarded the presence Of the elevated railroad in
Battery Park Certain incidents of interest 10
transportation circles have tended TO support
this rumor. which nevertheless is stoutly denied.
Possibly we shall know more about the situa-
ton within few days. for il Is positively an
nounced that the prOtTacted negotiations be
tween the company and the Commissioners are
drawing TO a close. During the last week some
symptoms Of q compromise along the lines sug
gested by The Tribune months ago have been
observable, and there is reason to hope that an
arrangement generally satisfactory TO the people
will soon be made
This community owes no favor TO the Man
haitian company. but on the other hand it de
sires TO have the public convenience carefully
guarded by the municipal authorities. and would
feel no sympathy with proceedings on the part
of the Park Board which saTored more OF ohsti-
macy than Of common sense. 1t is desirable that
the elevated road should be excluded from Bat
terry Park far as possible, but il is by no
means certain that more would be gained than
lost by excluding il entirely. 1t is imperative
that the East and West Side lines should con
meet al South Ferry, and the question is how
that connection, which is quite as necessary TO
the public as Il is 10 the company. can De main
tanned at least disadvantage to public interests.
Some serious evils are inseparable from the
operation OF the elevated roads but that is a
fact which may he supposed to have been taken
into han tl,.ir
authorized AT all events they are here TO stay.
and consequently 10 be made the best of. Some
years ago either Of the alternative routes pro-
posed early in the winter-from Battery Place
into State-st at the Bowling Green corner. and
so through Safest. 10 The ferry. or along Bowl
ing Green 10 Whitehall-st. and down White
hall-st. 10 the ferry-might not have been espe-
ciallr Objectionable except 10 tie small minority
directly concerned. But recently an additional
element has entered into the case. The new
Custom House is 10 go up on the Bowling Green
site and is entitled TO he defended against en-
croachmentS not only on account Of those who
VIII be required 10 transact vast business
there. bur also in the interest Of all the people
who expect II 10 be in design and material an
ornament 10 the city. Obviously such intrinsic
beauty AS it may possess viii be greatly indeed
grossly. impaired il the elevated road is per
iuittcd or required 10 stretch itself along one or
..iore az the facades Of the Federal build
ilig. Some persons identified with the Manhat-
ian company have not been ashamed TO pro
Dounce its structures pleasing 10 the eye. but
fhat estimate is theirs alone. To all others they
appear irredeemably ugly. Doubtless they might
worse, but they just tolerable at the best
- Qird The new Custom House with them would
70 approach the worst.
The Tribnne's original suggestion that
lAe West Side line should be changed so as 10
curve from Battery Place into Sfate-st at or
near Brid2e-st. thus cutting off one small corner
Of the Dark, and then leave State st near its