New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-17
GOOD WORK I'LL Planned.


The desirability of judicous design as well
as good execution IN public works is strongly
emphasized III the case of Fourthave Brook
lyn. thoroughfare the history Of which IS
well worthy of consideration. Many years ago
it occurred 20 the Authorities OF Brooklyn that
ii would be well TO lay out here and there
streets in the form of broad parkways So the
great Ocean Parkway was constructed and the
eastern part Of Sackett-st. was transformed
into the still unfinished Eastern Parkway So
too Fourth-ave was made much wider than
the parallel thoroughfares. with the same end
in view for it, There is ground for questioning
the wisdom of the choice OF Fourth-ave for
such a purpose. unless simply as a through
driveway from the central and lower part OF
Brooklyn and from Manhattan to Bay Ridge
Fort Hamilton and the Shore Road. But wise
ly or not, il was thus chosen, and then for
many weary years was left unmproted even
unpaved-one OF the most unattractive and i'm
passable highways in the city. In those cir
cumst&nces we may see questionable design and
failure Of execution.
However. the last administration took the
matter in hand and completed the roadway of
Fourth-ayc. on an even finer scale than was
originally planned. The centre was transformed
into a succession Of marrow parks, planted with
grass. shrubs ana trees, while the driveway at
each side was asphalted. The work is now
practically finished, and the avenue presents
several miles of superb driving, as well as a
most attractive outlook 10 residents and Wis
itors. 1t would not be easy TO praise too highly
the general manner in which the work has
been done.
But now what is proposed? II is not only
proposed. hut IL is urgently demanded. that
subway shall be constructed under Fourth-ave
from end to end We have doubt that such
subway, running 10 Bay Ridge and Fort
Hamilton. is needed, and would serve a great
public purpose. 1t Is probable too that Fourth
ave would he the best route for it, seeing that
it begins practically at the junction of Flat
bush and Atlantic ayes. where will be an i'm
portant station of the subway now being built,
and also the terminus of the Long Island Rail-
| road. But what according 10 the present pro-
posal, would he involved in its construction?
Fourth-ave. would be torn open from end TO
end. The asphalt that has been laid would be
ripped up. The trees and grass that have been
planted would he destroyed The whole work
| that has been done, and done so well and at
such cost, during these last two years would be
ulidone. destroyed and lost, and would all have
10 he done over again.
We must conclude. them either that the i'm
provemcnt of Fourth-ave. should have been
postponed few years, until after subway
was constructed along it, or else that some
other route should now be chosen for the sub
way, so as to spare Fourth-ave. from spolia-
tion Fifth-ave.. for example, would serve Just
as well for the route, and. as ii is now vilely
paved. there would be no vandalism or loss
! in tearing it up There is, of course, one other
| conceivable plan, namely to construct a sub
way under Fourth-ave. by tunnellng without
disturbing the surface That is what would
doubtless be done in any other city. such as
London, Boston or Timbuctoo. But New York
does not seem TO be equal TO such a perform
ance, so there is no use in suggesting it. All
we can do is TO regret that farseeing design
did not precede the admirable execution of
which FOurth-ave. has been the scene