The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1901-01-20

PROPOSED SPEEDWAY ALONG THE BASE or
THE PALISADES.
isadcS commissions. created by acts or
the legislatures of the respective states,
the commissioners being appointed by
the two governors TO investigate tho
circumstances ;IhiCh permitted the car
rying on of the destructive work that
was devastating the Palisades Of their
grandeur. The commissions are COM
posed of prominent and public spirited
citizens of both states and have work
ed together in harmony.
Through the efforts of George w.
Perkins. president of the New York
commission. and Abram S. Hewitt,
vice president. men of mems have
agreed to contribute S122.1un toward
buying the interests Of the landOwn-
ers and contractors who have been
blasting along the Palisades. They
have made this gift conditional on the
action of the New York and New Jcr-
sey legislatures. agreeing to pay tho
money providing the two states will
appropriate sufficient sum Of money
TO meet the expenses Of desired inn
prOvcmcnts. which contemplate tho es-
Establishments Of an Interstate park and
the building Of 2 driveway along the
banks of the river NJ tho base Of the
cliffs The amount needed for this.
purpose is estimated Mt 100000.
Suspension Of The blasting along the
Palisades was effected through con-
tract entered into hy Tho commissioners
and the various contractors who have
been Mt work there. After months OF
negotiations the commissioners found
that they could acquire the property
where the blasting was going on for
$132.IOO. To bind this contract they
made a payment Of $4,000, and the
balance Of $l22,500 has been pledged
by private citizens.
The commissioners also carried on
negotiations with OwDers of Palisades
property at other points where no
blasting was under way. These prop
erty owners were readily interested in
the project of saving the Palisades
and agreed to give TO the commission
the base Of the cliffs and to sell the
Iltli HiNlMtEu lntSt anu INT II utcbH
river at $500 an acre and TO rclinquish
such riparian rights as may have been
acquired 10y individuals at so
running foot. In return for these con-
ceSsions the commission agreed 10
establish an interstate park extending
from the Fort Leo ferry to some point
In New York state below what rs
known rs Snedens Landing and to
embrace all the land from the top OF
the steep face of the cliffs down to the
waters edge. The conversion Of this
long stretch of ground into park will
pave The way for the successful intro
duction Of another scheme which has
held the attention Of thr commissioners
FOR considerable length Of time. This
project is nothing more or less than the
building Of pleasure drive or speed
way very much upon the plan Of the
Harlem river speedway. though upon
q larger scale and probably under less
restricted privileges. From present
indications the speedway will extend
northward from Fort Lee ten miles.
This VIII undoubtedly make the finest
driving course in the Unitod States. IL
not in the world. surprising the IA
nous Riverside drive and park on the
New York side of the river as wei as
the magnificent Harlem speedway.
The future of the realty holdings iu
both states along the contemplated
parkway can be readily seen. Property
will double in value. People will flock
there to invest as well as to build
homes. What is now along the brink
Of the cliffs a wilderness Of forest and
thickpt. rock studded field and swamp.
! will undergo complete transformation.
Landscape gardening will be brought
into play with magic effect. adding
where addition is necessary and taking
away the unnecessary. Paths and
stairs will give access 10 the charming
cascades and riils that frolic and spray
over the rocks. and one Of the most
| delightful and expansive pleasure
grounds in the world VIII be free for
the use of the public for all time.
SAM Ii, COOK.