New-York tribune., 1901-03-14
BLOCKS BIG JOB IN QUEENS
EFFORT TO HAVE MAP ADOPTED THAT
WOULD GREATLY ENRICH
POLITICIANS.
POLITICIANS

\ thinly disguised job of gigantic proportions
was uncovered yesterday at the meeting of the
Board of Public improvements. President Fred
erick Bowley, of Queens Borough alleges that
il means the construction OF a canal at eX
pense of millions the city. nearly all the bene
fits from which would go to the Newtown and
Flushing Canal Company. investigation of the
scheme shows that probably two or three well
known Tammany commissioners are financially
interested in it and would be benefited to the
extent of hundreds of thousands of dollars if the
deal could be put through.
Briefly stated, there up for adoption yes
terday an official map of the Second Ward Of
Queens, and it embraced the marshy district be-
tween Long Island City and Flushing. 1t pro-
vided for the building of a canal at the citys
expense, 200 feet in width along a specified
route. President Bowley of Queens. sprang a
surprise on the board by charging that If this
canal were constructed the Newtown and Flush
ing Canal Company would own all the water
front property both sides of it, the COM
pany's charter. still unrepeaed, gives it the
right to a strip of property 1,2O0 feet wide. The
immense cost to the city can be better under
stood when 1t is stated that the proposed canal
would have to be cut through Nassau Heights,
an elevation Of forty feet, between Flushing and
Newtown creeks.
What makes the action of certain members of
the Board of Public improvements still more re-
markable is the fact that Mr.. Bowey called the
attention of the board to the scheme
long go as November il, 1899. when the sweep
ing privileges in the canal company's charter
were pointed out.
1t seems that under its charter the Newtown
and Flushing Canal Company. after the canal
had been constructed. could step forward and
condemn all the land both sides of the canal
practically on its own terms Mr.. Bowley in
1899 had adopted a resolution asking that the
Corporation Counsel be asked for an opinion on
the constitutionality Of the act incorporating
the canal company. Mr.. Whalen has taken
action the request.
Commissioner Kearny Of the Department of
Public Buildings, Lighting and Supplies said
there could be no doubt of the constitutionality
of the act, and he urged the adoption of the
map.
President Bowley retorted sharply. saying he
was compelled to question the motives of Mr..
Kearny, who seemed disposed to rush through a
decidedly suspicious project
My only motive is to clean out Newtown
Creek" said Mr.. Kearny.
Mr.. Bowey offered a resolution providing
that if the city build the canal II condemn a
strip of land 800 feet wide in order that the city
shall own the shores OF the canal and conse-
quently the bulkhead rights. He asked for an
opinion from the Corporation Counsel with ref
erence to the status of the old canal company.
Mr.. Kearny moved 10 lay the resolution on the
table Mr. Bowley made a spirited fight and
was supported by President Grout OF Brooklyn.
and his resolution was carried.
When President BowIey was seen last night
ha said:
asked Commissioner Kearny n few days ago IL
alYthlfg was coming up to-day that would interest
iihe people or queens. lie said nothing
ing up but - Queens sewer matter | told him I
was glad 20 hear Of any sewer improvements
men this scheme came up to-day ] recognized IL
az once as the old canal scheme in "a new and
dangerous form This proposed improvement at
ttle expense Of the city would enrich the owners
Cf the franchise of the Flushing and Newtown
canal COMPANY l don't remember all its cor
porators 6lt recoect that William ]. Younes
ana MT BHetern, OF the Queens County Railroad
company were two Of them. Under the franchise
canal ''7 az
An EFFORT was made to Commissioner
hearny last night but he not at home when
n tribune reporter called his house No 3O:,