New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-06-29
READY TO PAY FOR QUIET.
PROPERTY OWNERS MAY OFFER MONEY
TO NEW-YORK CENTRAL.
WANT MOTIVE POWER OF ITS TRAINS IN
THE CITY CHANGED FROM STEAM
TO ELECTRICITY.

Property owners and residents in Park-ave.
are preparing to start a subscription to induce
the New-York Central Railroad to change the
motive power of it's trains between Mott Haven
and the Grand Central Station from steam 10
electricity Some OF those chiefly interested in
the movement say they will pay the railroad at
the rate of 81 600 block front if the improve
ment is made A formal appeal to the company
will be made next Wednesday, when President
Newman is expected to return 10 this city. Ac
tion has been precipitated. one of the property
owners said to a Tribune reporter yesterday, by
the arrival of hot weather. Because of the heat
people living in Park-ave. are forced TO leave
open their windows at night, and a result.
they say. the heavy putting of the engines and
the cries of trackmen and switch crews in the
early morning hours make sleep impossible. Con-
ditions are the more uncomfortable. they say. be
cause of the fumes Of coal gas from the smoke
stacks of passing engines. which they declare
are run in greater numbers this year than ever
before.
One Of the principal agtators in the move TO
bring about the abolition of steam in the tun-
mel is Morris Putnam Stevens. of No. "a Pine-st.
Mr. Stevens is the attorney for the owner of the
Isoreley apartment house. at the northwest cor
ner OF Fifty-sixth-st and Park-ave., and Of other
real estate parcels along the line of the tunnel
In speaking of the plan to raise a subscription
fund yesterday. he said:
THE substitution of electric for steam power
| in the Fourth-ave. tunnel by the NewYork Cen
| trail company is Improvement which is OF
such imperative necessity 10 residents along the
route and which has hung fire so long. that the
| property owners are willing of themselves
| to share in the expense. AS the representative
OF the owner of property in the avenue between
! Fifty-sixth and Fifty-seventh SITS, am willing
| TO pay So front foot for this improvement.
| know of many others who would be willing TO
! contribute like OF money. and believe that
when this fact is brought 10 the attention Of the
! chief officials of the Central this long desired
change will be undertaken. II the property own
! ers in the avenue between Forty -fourth-st. and
J the Harlem River unite in raising such a sub
| scription 100000 speedily be rolled up. The
| increase in the rents and the general betterment
! of property by the abolition of steam engines
would repay this expense many times over AT
! present, the heavy reverberation and the putting
! of the locomotives are a menace to the sick and
a source of indescrbable discomfort 10 every one
else If the Central gives us any encouragement
| whatever the cooperation of property owners
| in sharing as much of the necessary expense as
! is possible is well assured"
Residents near the tunnel heartily indorsed
! the statements of Mr.. Stevens. Many said that
! since the coming of hot weather they had been
una BILE To sleep in the early morning hours be-
! cause O. the cries of workmen who were en-
ploycd in relaying the tracks. Mrs. James Nc
Nance who lives at No. 81 East Fifty sixth ST.
! said:
The bedlam of noises which awakens us all
| about | and o'clock in the morning is in
| describaple 1t is the cries of men who are
| laying rails and who on heaVing some heavy
weight together yell at short Intervals in uni
| son. We hear this an average of three
| mornings a week. The roar of engines is bad
| enough. but when this is accompanied by yells
and the Changing of rails sleep is out OF the
! question"
| At the Grand Central Station it was said that
| some of the tracks in the tunnel were now
| being relaid. but that the work would soon be
! finished. Because Of the frequency of trains In
the DAYTIME and evening it was said to be only
possible to do this work after midnight and be-
| fore daylight
Mr. Newman was not at his office yesterday
The letter presenting the offer of the property
owners will be given him on Wednesday on
his return TO the city