New-York tribune., 1903-03-18
TALKS OF "GRAFT"' TO Low
ErLanger Also Says that McuiILGH
Tried to Force Lots on Him.
Ex-PARK COMMISSIONER DENIES 1T

EX-PARk COMMISSIONER DENIES 1T
The Klaw & Erlanger Construction Com
pany last night. following a hearing at the City
Hall with reference TO its being permitted &c
go ahead with the work OF building its new
theatre in West Forty-second-st.. said that IL
had won moral victory. and that the Mayor
would sign a proper ordinance allowing its thea
tre front to project beyond tine building line
Work the theatre has so far advanced that
it's front is half built. About four weeks ago
the work suddenly stopped when the Build
ings Department decided that the owners had
violated the Building Code in constructing the
entrance to the theatre four feet outside the
building line.
The Klaw & Granger company had a resolu
ton passed in the Board OF Aldermen giving IL
the right to extend the entrance four feet out
side the building line. As considerable objec-
ton was raised the Mayor decided TO give
public hearing before approving or disapprov-
ing the measure.
Among those who appeared to oppose the
signing OF the ordinance were Park Comnis-
sioner Eustis. ex-Park Commissioner Mcmillan.
Alderman Oatman, James ". Perry represent
ing the Central Baptist Church. which adjoins
the theatre; James F. Donnely and others All
OF those who opposed the ordinance did so on
the ground that it would hurt the value Of prop
erty IN Forty-second-st- east and west OF the
theatre. and that II would cut or light and air
from the adjoining property.
Mitchell L. Erlanger. who is a lawyer and
brother Of the president OF the Klaw En-
LANCER Construction Company. said that the Op-
position the ordinance came not from a col
lection Of property owners. but from Mr.. Sic
MILAN alone. and that a number OF those pres
ent were builders who had been invited by Mr..
Mcmillan TO attend the hearing and oppose the
ordinance. Mr.. Erlanger declared that the the
atre would be one OF the finest pieces Of archI-
lecture in the city. He pointed out TO the Mayor
a number of buildings in the city which he said
had areas. entrances or columns that extend
from three TO fifteen feet beyond the building
line He mentioned the Flatiron Building and
the Belasco Theatre. in F'Orty-second-st- Mr..
Erlanger said that such ordinance as the Ons
proposed would have the effect OF stopping
grating in the Buildings Department He
declared that at present the law regarding the
building line was constantly violated. and he in
timated that graft" was one Of the considera-
tions.
Mr. ErIanger produced copy of an affidavit
sworn to by his brother. Abraham L. Erianxer,
president Of the Klaw & ErIanger Construction
Company. In which he relates that the violation
was placed on the building four weeks ago and
that March he invited William Crawford.
the son-in-Iaw OF Mr. Mcmillan. and the latter 10
his Office. Continuing, the affidavit SAYS: Il
told him because Of the friendly relations be-
tween his son-in-IAw and myself. and in view nf
the help could be to his said son-in-law IN Civ
ing him first chance the alterations OF tn
New-York Theatre which his son-in-lav. had
put in application to do. TO withdraw hts COM
plaint He said his conscience would not permit
him to withdraw the alleged complaint. bur hS
saw way out OF it, He then said ne owned
two lots to the east OF our building which
him $4,000 which he would sell for S22.'-iHn-
and II made the purchase it would OF itself
remove the complaint Mr. ETlanger saws tnst
he declined TO consider this proposition
Mr. MILAN, in reply 70 this said no hld
had a talk with Mr. ErIanger. but thai He had
made no demand Mr.. ErlangeT that he should
was responsible for the action "f IN" Buildings
Department.
Abe H. Herts said that II Mr.. Mcmillan
who had made the complaint the Buildings
Department.
AS a matter Of record il should be- said that
President Cantor and Superintendent Stewart, of
the Buildings Department. favor the proposed
ordinance.
At the close OF the hearing the Mayor said,
IF are have a beautiful city. We have
got 10 allow Orna m IntaciOn beyond the building
line To say that building shall be set back
to allow for OrnameUtatiOn within the building
line or so as to not extend beyond the building
line would develop a ragged line of buildings
giving our streets the appearance of an uneven
Of teeth
While my feeling is that what this ordinance
aims to accomplish Is something that ought 70
be done | don't like the form Of the ordinance.
and I shall very likely return IL the Board
OF Aldermen without my approval. but with the
recommendation that II be put in positive form,
though I reserve the right tn approve II. upon
more mature reflection