New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-22
CIRCUIT ATTACKS CENTRAL.
CONTROLLER SAYS RAILROAD HAS
LIVED on CITY"
MAYOR TALKS SHARPLY TO COUNSEL FOR
EVADING QUESTIONS AT TRACK DE-
PRESTON HEARING.


The Board Of Estimate and Apportionment
yesterday held hearing on the plan of the
New-Yori Central Railroad to widen its train
yards by taking part Of Park-ave. and closing
portions Of several cross streets This plan
aas had several hearings before the local board
of the Murray Hill district. The hearing yes
.erday at times grew warm. and Controller
Cirout and Mayor Low spoke sharply to Ira A
Place counsel for the railroad. Controller Grout
said the railroad had been living on the city
ever since il had been Incorporated.
Mr. Place stated the position of the railroad
saying:
What we ask to be done is absolutely es-
sential for the change from steam to electricity
II is absolutely essential that this yard be en-
larged. The serious difficulty have to-day
is the handling of trains. Some ten years ago
we tried to enlarge yards. and did enlarge
them, by getting land in Mott Haven, and now
we need stin another enlargement"
John Larkin. counsel for the Middle Park
Avenue Improvement Association which in
ciudes the property from Fifth-ave. to Lexing-
ton-ave. and from Forty-fourth-st. to Fifty
seventh-st.. opposed the project. He offered
compromise that at once taken up by Con-
troller circuit and the Mayor and defended by
them. This was to depress the tracks and yard
from Forty ninth-st. 10 the station. allowing
We expect protection from this board. Here
YOU are called to cut cash across the face OF
the city. This present cash. which is not nearly
so bad as the new one would be, is the cause
that has kept the property in this neighborhood
far behind the rest Of the city in value. In
this plan proposed there is but one carria geway
allowed between Forty-eighth and Fifty-ffth
SITS There Is no reason that where there is
depression Of tracks Of four feet the streets
cannot be carried right straight through. This
project IS really an extension of the yards for
storage purposes only. Every railroad engineer
will say so"
Mr. Place. in the mean time consulted with
Mr.. Wilgus. the engineer, and prepared for
questions.
Everett P. Wheeler favored the plans of the
Central. He spoke against the use Of steam,
calling it an Increasing menace to the public
health and safety but otherwise favored the
project.
When Mr.. Place was ready for questions the
Mayor asked:
If the tracks were so depressed could you
go under the street so that traffic would not be
disturbed?"
IF possible would be only too glad to do
SO But il is impossible. Instead of four feet.
as Mr. Larkn says the tracks and yards would
have TO be depressed at least twenty feet. This
would have to be done even in Forty-ninth- St
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company is going
10 do il Why can't your" again asked Con-
troller Grout
That's another proposition. What they want
is to sink the whole yard We can't do it."
Why, the Pennsylvania is getting four blocks
and only closing one street"
They are buying their property. and not
asking the city to give it to them interposed
eN-ContToller Ashbel P. Fitch.
Neither are we We haven't asked for an
iuch from the city said Mr.. Place.
What's the difference whether It re forty or
twenty feet?' said Mr.. Grout. Why can't it
be done? Seems 10 me you fencing with
words. There's no necessity for putting cover
ever the yard. as you seem to think. TO mark
what used TO be the level Of the ground All
that is proposed is TO cover Park-ave. and cross
It's all been studied out" replied Mr. Place
Mayor.
Would you want to ask any more questions"
remarked Mr.. Place, after again falling TO an
SWer exact questions about the depression. The
Mayor again said:
We haven't had the answer to the ques-
ton We have asked. We would like that first
I do not think it physically possible to do
this" at last answered Mr.. Place. 1T would
mean that five hundred men would have to work
underground the rest of their lives"
The Controller again said that he did not
mean TO have the whole yard covered. Mr..
Wilgus declared that the depression would have
10 be al least twenty feet. This was at once
contraolctea by Chief Engineer Lewis. Of the
board, who asserted that ii would be four or
five feet at the statio-
Nj Grout then said:
The New-York Central has been living on
the city ever since IT was incorporated. and l
think il is time we stopped giving favors to it,
Applause greeted this remark.
Mr. Place insisted that consultations with
property owners had been held for months. and
at all times the railroad ready to take any
better suggestions offered.
1T is very peculiar that after these con-
fert nces you cannot state the first principle how
much these tracks should be depressed" replied
Mr.. Grout.
Mr.. Fitch. counsel for the r & NJ Schaefer
Brewing Company, favored depressing the
tracks He ridiculed the idea OF having city
Beautiful when. he laid. you would have
the city dig q ditch three-quarters OF a mile
citys board appeal. TO the NewYork Central
engineers about this matter? The city should
ask the opinion Of the best engineer in the coun-
try Ny clients would gladly pay all the eX-
pense. This proposed cut is mark Of destruc-
zion and of savagery."
Assemblymal Wainwright. of Westminster
County who represented the people OF New
Rochelle spoke bitterly against the railroad.
He urged no delay in consideration of some
scheme of improvement He also said:
Il promise for the legislature that at the com
ing session the temper for such action is
strong that this company will be compelled to
make this change desire.
r. D. Donovan, counsel for some property
owners, asked If the property owners engineers
could confer with the engineers of the railroad
regarding the depression. Third ice-President
Brown and Mr.. Place assented, This pleased
tion could thus be reached. The hearing
adjourned until next Wednesday, Mayor Low
requesting the railroad to furnish exact figures
as 10 the amount necessary for the depression.
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