New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28
SAKE OPPOSED TO PLAN.
Finds FLazcS in That for EleUenh
4renue Track Disposal.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune

Albany, Feb. 27.-In a formal statement made
public to-day Senator SAKE opposed bitterly the
plans partly agreed by the New York Cen
trail and the Rapid Transit Commission for the
disposal of the Eleventh avenue track situation.
He declared that the plans provided no solution
for the complicated situation now existing south
of ThiTtieth street; that they would partly de-
stroy. or at least deface. Riverside Park. and
that they would in all likelihood validate fran
chises now held 10 be invalid. These plans
would cause the repeal of the Saxe-stanley law
of last year, compelling the New York Central
TO tear up its tracks This he deemed utterly
inadvisable. His statement follows:
The serious objections to the proposal Of the
Rapid Transit Commissioners are as follows:
which VIII III" get the T%w YoI Central of these
sIceets and it is believed that II that @gisIah3n
ma FaiheT than repeal the same ana run me me
railroad company slipping through.
Il IS also objected that it does nothing to solve
the problem below Soth street. The council Of the
ton. that the franchise below Soth street is wholly
Noic on which account II seems that this part of
the problem ought not to be neglected
In the matter of carrying freight down the
wholesale district in a tunnel and thus relieving
to trains for subIrb9 sneT The ',,'u hudson
River district deserves TO have a s,iburban SER
vice. which viii land the passengers near their
Island and the railroad people ought to be COM
PEELED to recognize the public duty when It IS ask
ing for large public provisions as a condition TO
consentng that It shall no longer be public
The encroschment upon Riverside Park and the
% % Oh me same me are also seriously 96]eG{ed
maII2" naTk and does not propose to cover rs
degree and enabling the park TO be extended over
Riverside Park Is one of the most beautiful parks
IN the world, and with this railroad nuisance
Kept within bound would be easily the most beau
PIE OF New York will not consent. I am confident,
Of the Kew York Central RAILROAD, and vii de-
mand, even If the widest space required by the
east SIDE that the tracks be rooted over wherever
Il is apparently the design to bring the tracks
10 the surface at 36th or $50 street and TO tear
sidewalks on the street 96th Soth street. II
to the surface at all but if this is TO be permitted
We think that the subway should be built down
ro1i,iriy 1oI5iI r. v6r sae han th t,iied of
Eleventh avenue and preserving the cross street.
IneTe Is no provision IN me contract ioT COM
privileges. At present the road has the right TO
two tracks. which it can operate only in conjunc.
Interruptions. Under this It would have six tracks,
no 10 nosSa 81 a co
pensaton be paid for this There is no direct ref
would amount q grant and there is no provision
even that the road should give adequate passen-
sengfr trains day Wald this continue to be
Il IS noteworthy that there is a provision that
nothing IN this law shall invaldate the existing
tanned, by a provision that nothing in this law
shall invalidate existing franchises or give them
any superior validity over what they already have.
II seems wiser however. to have the existing iran
Chises surrendered for appraised agreed upon
alue after careful investigation 70 their valid
ity. and franchises granted appraised
and agreed upon value. the city to receive the diff
ference either in immediate payment or in the form
OF compensation Ia be paid upon net valuation
every twenty-five years.
There is also provision for further supervision
In the SAKE law il is provided that the operation
shall be subject to the special provision Of the
board. and that connections with other roads and
charges service in relation these connections
shall be subject TO the supervision OF the board
We think THIS should be retained.
These are the most serious objections that occur
in the short time that nave had 20 examine
the proposed law. A few slight amer dments 20 the
the commissioners TO enter into contract covering
Practically all that is proposed These amendments
would need 10 touch only the following points:
First-TO permit an elevated structure instead
Of a subway points mentioned.
Second-To provide for a subway In The form or q
covered ditch wherever practicable and an open
ditch where covered often is impractcabe.
Third-TO provide either for complete removal
and dscoutinuauCe below 3oth street. or for the
gineer Rice The latter would be much more De
sirabie because. with stations every six or ten
means Of transportation TO the north END or the
island and 10 suburbs up the Hudson River. could
do conveniently, but u this cannot lie arranged
then the continuance Of freight traffic oeio" oVth
street should be abandoned
Fourth-That land 70 the west Of the tracks. from
72d street north including lands under water. may
operation. with TevaluattOn TO the railroad com
pauy every twenty-five years. but no land 70 the
east Of the tracks which trenches upon ElVerslde
Park and would result in destroying the park
scheme and the cutting down or the killing OF
trees, the like