New-York tribune., 1903-01-12
TO BE4UITFY THE CITY.
The Municipal Art Society Presents
Mann Plans.

with reference to a comprehensive scheme
looking toward the improvement and beautifica-
tlon Of the city, Frederick S. Lamb, secretary
Oh the Municipal Art Society OF New-York. on
tuesday evening gave out interesting state
ment presenting many plans and propositions,
emoodying information derived from the past
work and present suggestions of several socie-
ties and individuals
In a letter to Mayor Low transmitting sum
mary of the information obtained by the Mu-
nicipal Art Society, Mr.. Lamb said that any
scheme for the adequate Identification of the
city must have as it's basis the fundamental
plan upon which the city is to improve and de-
velop.
As to freight traffic it was urged that such a
plan should transcend city limits and provide
for greater freight ternini such as the one pro-
posed for Communipaw, with it's logical changes
OF the contiguous property; the Newark Mead
ows: readjustment of the New-York Central
tracks at Forty-second- st: the Pennsylvania
railroad tunnel and the other tunnels to follow
possible canals for freight distribution: judcious
development of the waterfronts, and the event
ual connection Of these with the underground
system.
1t was recommended that the problem of pas
senger traffic should be met by realizing that
III III g tllle every important street must have an
underground-not at present constructed, but
with the street eXcayated from house line to
mouse line, thus permitting at the sides ample
room for electric conduits. pipe galleries and
water mains, and saving in expense of repaving,
excavation and water waste Union stations
could then be so placed easily 10 distribute
Inc immense and evergrowing traffic. Avenues
without adequate outlet should be extended to
connect with main arteries, and bridge ter
mlnals should be made points of distribution
ana created TO relieve congeSted districts. Sub
sidiary streets and arcades should further re-
Heve specially crowded hours and street traffic
on main avenues and along Waterfronts should
be aided through division by isles of safety.
AS TO parks, the proposed. plan while con-
o6 RI 70
front parks, connected by parkways and form
ing breathing space with appropriate oppor
tunities for recreation. The small park system
would be extended, not always by condemna-
ton of large tracts Or even blocks but by COM
petent designing of small tracts.
Some of the suggestions for public buildings
are for peoples palaces, one in each Assembly
district, to combine the necessary auditorium,
picture gallery, gymnasium, reading and as
sembly rooms; a monument of the recent
Worlds Fair; memorial hall or historical
museum with public forum and assembly rooms
for historical and patriotic societies; forum
in connection with public stations for such
more appropriately, Seward Park, Hamilton
Fish Park, Mulberry Bend Park, and
other parks piazas in thickly settled
localities, to promote legitimate discus
sion of public matters and provide for church,
labor political festivals celebrations; a
united fine arts building to include all art in
terests of the city, a proposition which is being
pushed by subcommittee of the Fine Arts
Federation; shelter stations and libraries, which
should become identified, each according to its
locality. with the history of the city.
In reference to decoration of public buildings
1t urged that they should have not only
consistent architecture, but should have as we'll
their sculptural and mural decorations selected
building was created and the historic interest of
the section in which it is placed.