New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-13
CANTOR BREAKS GROUND.
Extension of RiUerside Dr1ue
Formally Begun.

Borough President Cantor broke ground for
the extension OF Riverside Drive yesterday, at
Riverside Viaduct and one-hundred-and-thirty-
ef.b-s, There were many city officials pres
=. o,s also = number OF men and women In
.eresred in the work President Cantor used
oliver shade 20 break the ground This
--sssrted bv s Stuart Williamson the chief
.-i-,eer OF the work The contractors for the
-. are Ryan & Parker and John c Rodgers
The ceremony was simple. With the crowd
,+ersng about, President Cantor turned over a
,-,su quantity OF earth. He then made an ad-
sress IL part SIS follows;
p. Gives ne pleasure. as President OF this Bor-
-SA formally 10 inaugurate the work OF extend
80 Riverside Drive The importance Of this work
o.,f but also as direct means OF developing
ms territory cannot be exasgersted. Il viii. when
ne nj nave a strength and eharscter which viii
make i noted throughout the world.
A<,er giving a brief review Of the work I'D 70 N.
prssent tine. NJ Cantor added:
The lines Of the driveway do not exactly accord
with my views but the statute authorizing its
construction was mandatory IN terms. and no dis
erection was allowed ne u determining the route
Tie driveway. the construction OF which be-
ser5-at- coztrScts-one awarded 10 PsTke- =
Rvan frorn Oue-hUndred- and thir-y-hfth TO one
SITS. for Sl.5l3 600 and the
second contract 10 John C. Rodgers for 81 SOL III
TIE extension follows very closely the completed
5-ces q great rchtectra beauty crossS5p i i
po-taEI streets with Parkways public comfort sta
toEs drinking fountains and public shelters. Il
VII also pr0Floe Tor q pipe gallery. in order TO
take care OF water and gas pipes and electric con-
C-ts- II ADDITION 10 this there viii be & wide
birdie path, and ample means provided for water
supply and substantial drainage for the property
Ire adjoining streets This drive will be con-
tinued from the Tiaduct 10 Boulevard Iafayette.
i VII be four and half miles in length and
with The Boulevard Lafayette 10 Dyckman-st two
c. six and one-half miles The width OF the
driveway is lh feet and OF the parkway 259 feet.
vl-cl Is TIE average width OF the drive and park
Va 90, L-s .I--ile Issuance
We shan therefore have a river drive with a
parkway extending from Seventy -second-st. up 10
IycEI11r-St and Kings bridge-Road OF rare natu-
raI artificial and architectural beauty. There is
driveway in the world combining these natural
advantages. and in this respect il will have no
three years, IL has taken over eighteen months
70 prepare the plans contracts and specifications
FOR its construction.
The spade with which President Cantor broke
ground had the following inscription:
Extension Of Riverside Drive Ground
broken December p, 1903. by the Hon. Jacob
A. Cantor. al The junction Of observation-disclosures
thrty-ffth-st. and Riverside Drive"
Following the ceremony. q luncheon was served
IN the dining room Of the Claremont 10 more
than one hundred guests. When coffee was
served and cigars lighted there was general
demand for q speech from Mr.. Cantor. He
spoke 81 a humorous vein, and was loudly ap-
Tlauded. Referring TO the adverse ruling of the
Supreme Court his plans for the driveway,
Mr Cantor said; It is true that I had diff
ference Of opinion with the residents Of the dis
rriCr as 70 The driveway, but with the aid Of the
Supreme Court I learned that their way was my
way" M. Williamson, the chief engineer, and
Newell Martin also spoke briefly.