New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-09
THE COURTHOUSE REPORTS.


The commission appointed by Mayor Low. IN
obedience to an act Of the legislature, TO report
upon available sites for q new county court
house has divided, three TO two. The majority
recommend the bleck bounded by Mulberry
Bend. Centre Pearl and Leonard SITS, not far
from the Criminal Courts Building, while the
minority are in favor of taking the property
facing on Chambers-st- between Broadway and
the Hall Of Records The commission having
been forbidden 10 look north Of FraEkLin-st,
these two sites were the only ones deemed
worthy of more than passing consideration. a
public hearing will be given on March 4, ana IN
the mean time the question Of cost VIII be In
yestigated under the Controllers direction. The
need of n new courthouse is generally acknowl-
edged. and It is desirable that the best site
should be selected without Improbable delay;
but all the time required for the avoidance or
a blunder which would be permanently de-
plored ought to be taken. as matter or course
and we hope that those who are most nearly
concerned and most likely 10 govern the de-
cision-we mean judges and members OF the
bar-wiu not be unduly influenced by a natural
desire to get the preliminaries out OF the way
and work begun as soon as possible. 1t is an
exceedingly important matter, affecting the
whole community in various ways and ii de-
mands thorough discussion.
The majority Of the commission lay special
stress on two arguments In favor OF the Null
berry Bend site-its size and fits comparative
cheapness-but, with entire respect for their
oDinion we are inclined TO think they leave
more 10 be said on the other side than they adj
duce on their own. They do not hold that all
Of the site they favor is imperatvely needed.
but they deem It important that n courthouse
should be separated by considerable spaces
from the nearest buildings They would conse-
Quently have the projected edihce stand In
little park OF its own. and their belief IS that
the adoption OF their plan would lead to other
notable improvements In the neghborhood, and,
by increasing taxable values. largely reimburse
the city for its outlay. That is q practical
argument 10 which due weight should be given
But Il Is not conclusive. In the first place. the
advantages o. light, air and quiet would be Sc
cured in reasonable measure II the Chambers
St site were chosen, even though the proposed
building or buildings should occupy the whole
Of IL. and the proximity OF Mulberry Bend to
the Criminal Courts and 10 a subway station
does not seem TO US to be an exceedingly i'm
portant fact
or course there IS 10 room for doubt as 10
the greater value OF the Chambers-st property.
and the estimate that Il would cost twice as
much as the other is probably safe. But we
cannot think that this is case in which the
consideration Of expense should control the de-
cslon. II appears TO US almost certain ms
anything belonging TO the future be that
the city WILL sooner or later, be compelled to ac-
quire the Chambers-st property. and we should
regard it AS 4 grave misfortune il its acquisition
should be indefinitely postponed by the choice
OF another site for a municipal building OF the
character and importance OF county court
house. If the city now owned the rest OF the
block on which the Hall OF Records stands,
would anybody suggest the ACCESSIBILITY OF sell
Ing II and with part OF the proceeds purchas-
ing the Mulberry Bend blOckT We think not.
1t would be universally regarded the best.
II not the ideal. site for such municipal build
ings as are now sorely needed and will soon be
Indispensable. That at least, is the way the
matter looks TO us and since we urged that
view OF 1t on public attention years ago many
influential citizens I'm public and private life
have come 10 our support. Yet we do not say
that IL is time TO consider the question settled.
On the contrary, the majority and minority re-
ports OF the commission ought 10 be carefully
compared and discussed without prejudice