New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-06
THE BLACKwELL's ISLAND scHEuE

The proposal made two or three years ago
that BlackweIls Island should he turned over
TO the national government for the benefit Of the
navy is renewed in the form of bill which the
legislature will he urged to pass 1t should he
said at once that the present plan Is less obiec-
tionable than was the one originally suggested
IT does not contemplate the alienation of Black
wells Island, or any part of II, by the city, but
provides for n lease to run only ten years The
bill also seems 10 require that the government
shall establish and maintain public park on
the Island to which the people shall have free
access. and the understanding is that it would
be made attractive by means of a memorial
arch, statues and various objects OF interest
Thus II is represented that New-York would Sc
cure all the practical benefits of a new park
free Of cost while the Navy Department would
obtain drill ground and place Of exercise as
an adjunct Of the navy yard.
The arguments in support OF this scheme are
plausible, but we cannot regard them as con-
vincing. If the proposition were that the city
should divest itself OF the ownership of Black
wells Island, it would not we should hope. be
entertained by anybody. 1t is a matter for re-
greet that Governors Island does not belong
10 the municipality, and 1t is perfectly safe TO
say that If the City Hall Park still preserved its
original proportions no part of it would now
Il other
purpose. As for Blackwels Island, ten years
lease would certainly be preferable to a surren-
der Of title, but the assumption that at the end
OF ten years the island could be conveniently
reclaimed in the city desired to exercise
its legal right needs TO be carefully considered
The proposition is that large amount OF money
shall be expended by the government in adapt
Ing the island to the uses of the navy, and the
advocates of the project seem to feel no doubt
that the necessary appropriations could be pro-
cured. If they are right and the investment
should be made. it would probably be an awk-
ward II not a difficult thing for the city to re-
gain possession of the land and the improve
ments at the expiration OF the lease New
York, which is not too well liked in Congress
and throughout the country, would almost GER
tainly be accused of gross selishness, If not of
bad faith, and brought into embarrassing rela-
tons with the federal government 1t is hard
enough already for this city to prevail on Con-
gress to grant It's most reasonable claims, and
no course tending TO aggravate an unfortunate
state OF feeling should be incautiOusly adopted
An incident in the history of the navy yard
may, perhaps, be proftably recalled. Some
years ago the government sold to Brooklyn a
portion OF its property which at that time did
not seem TO be needed for naval purposes and
for which large price was obtained If the
government now owned that parcel no amount
OF money would buy it. For one thing it would
save the trouble and expense of going else
where for a drill ground for naval recruits Yet
the excellent and highly respected officers who
have cast longing eyes on Blackwells Island see
no reason why New-York should not surrender
control Of that possession for ten years under
an arrangement which might lead to ANNOYING
complications. or course, the cases are widely
different but the experience we have cited is
suggestive. Blackwell's Island is capable OF
being converted at comparatively small expense
into a park of unique attractions and that, we
have no doubt is its destiny. 1t would serve
many Of the purposes of a park If it We're turned
over to the government, provided the plan
under consideration were faithfully carried out
But the projectors cannot guarantee Con-
gressional appropriations, and there is no GER
tainty that the city's interests would be per-
fectly protected even during the period of the
lease It is an interesting and at first thought
a decidedly engaging scheme, while the motives
Of the men who are promoting 1t are beyond
suspicion; but the city should not consent to 1t
without most careful consideration OF all the
facts and possibilities.