New-York tribune., 1905-01-22
ELIMINATING THE COST.
c. r. Lamb Tells Hoe additional
AUenues May Be Secured.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Having worked for many years in various
organizations which have had this great cause at
heart. have found that the most important ques-
tion in the solution Of which all Others seem to be
embraced is that of the power OF the city 70 con
denim land. not merely for the specific improve
ment, but. in foreign cities. of much greater
that in the changes secured by the improve
nents the city not the real estate spectators OBJ
tains the increased value OF the realty, which In
part. If not in the whole. pays for the improve
1nents. THIS point is indicated by the report. but
its paramount Importance. affecting all great
schemes of city Improvement. IS not distinctly
emphasized
While it might be considered possibly outside tho
jurisdiction Of such commission il is to be regret
ted that some form Of suggestions to the necee-
sary modification of the laws had not been indi-
Gated that the energies of the various societies
most vtaIy interested in ali the questions DIS
cussed could now be focused upon the securing of
the necessary legislation by which these grandiosa
schemes. or others Of equal Importance. could be
secured in the Immediate future.
If the commission is to be continued. may not
hope that some of the lawyers il will realize
their opportunity and formulate the necessary
changes to the existing statutes TO secure ths
needed reief2
Another point which should receive careful study
is the coordination of the city expenditures for the
various departments, so that all department pur-
chases for realty and expenditures for buildings
would by their location be arranged that the
realty could be bought the same time most ad-
vantageOcsIy and the buildings designed in har-
mony. As it is. under the existing system small
parks are located. Fire Department buildings por
lice stations public schools. libraries (under the
recent Carnegie bequest) etc, dropped down in
various quarters without the slightest regard 70
the possible combination OF parks with schools and
other public buildings needed b. each part OF tae
city.
WHAT any corporation would 90 in locating It's
investment. seems to have been overlooked by the
city administration the past possible in their
combined expenditures IL is obvious that II, for
example the condemnation of a square for a small
city park should be made, not merely for the boc&
itself but Of that part of tine blocks north. south
east and west facing en- the proposed new park
area, by sGcn condemnation the entire prop
erty surrounding the new park would be secured
at a much lower rate Than would be the case later.
after the park IS built. when the whole area
would have advanced in price because improved by
the expenditure of = large amount Of city money
Even under the present law the properties fact2s
on the park could be taken for city purposes. and
IL would. therefore, be possible 10 locate ne"
school hrehouse police station. public bath, WASH
houses. etc, facing on the proposed park. and Sc
cure the property at minimum cost, while. II the
law changed. the balance Of the properties not
needed by the city could be resold at the eqhancea
value and thus a IaFge proportion OF the cost OF
the improvement returned To the city treasury and
the taxes reduced proportonately-
These two methods should De carefully considered
as making possible the great scheme Of improve
development At the present time have tbs
essentially unbusinessi Ne method Of one adminis-
tration developing small parks and a succeeding
administration buying property for city buildings
facing these small parkS az the increased price
over which IL could have been bousnt when the
park first proposed, payng the CiItersnee IN tle
ad realty owing 10 the very improve
uents made by the city itself In other words. &C
the best sites Tor its department buildings
those facing the parks, the city now pepal@ss
itself bv the very improvement or tle PARK itsett
~ there * anvth hing more uubuslnesske than this
with reference the holding Oi real estate Dy the
CITY il Is dffaCult conceive OF tt.
The possibility OF improvements paving Tor them
selves has proved In the great elites abroad.
notably in London. In Shaftesoury ave. run.
ming from Charlng Cross 20 High Holoorn, cut
originally through OK the worst parts or tae
citv Seven Diais. BY the power OF eondeninihS
more land than needed for the avenue anu
selling the new sites the new avenue the eS
pense Of the entire Improvement was pf@etieai'y
secured. - -
strand directly through the network OF Old streeU
past the law courts 20 fIolhon. which IN - Turf
Vrl ms merely improve the region tnloesh Nhcl
h hrt but hc secured az the minimum cos
10 the citizens Of the Gscat reSsSl'ois
n IS recognized that tee EritlrOu pan OF Nest
York Is the great difficulty With references 20 -