New-York tribune., 1907-01-16
TO SAVE THE DRIVE.
HEST END MEN ACT.
Wdm Permits for Structures Used
by MWphy Firm Reuoked.

Efforts which the West End Association has been
making for years to keep Riverside Drive free from
unsightly dumps and sheds such to be
found at 18th and Goth streets. met with decided
impetus last night. when at mass meeting AT the
Hotel St. Andrews five organizations were allied in
effort 10 obtain remedial legislation. AS The
Tribune pointed out last Sunday. the particular
firm which the associations eudeavoring to
drive from that locality is the New York Contract
ing and Trucking COMPANY of which John J. Muir
ply brother OF Charles Z. Murphy. and James f..
Gaffney the main stockholders McDouRall
Hawkes., representing the City club. acted as
chairman and explained In detail how this firm had
managed 70 get hold Of valuable leases from which
it made more in week than it had pay in
year
Tho organizations which are allied I'm the move
ment the West Erd Association, the Municipal
Art Society. the Merchants Association. the City
Club and the Metropolitan Parks Association.
Bishop Henry G. Potter made speech urging
ton. taking the view that Riverside Drive was one
OF the lungs OF tho city. and that 1t was enjoyed by
those in the tenement houses more than by any
other class Of society. lie introduced resolutions
which were unanimously adopted. providing for the
appointment OF committee of seven one from
each OF the organizations present and two from
leasehciders. II they desired be represented.
devise means OF obtaining legislation toward tho
removal Of the property holders Others who spoke
were }. Van Dyck Card, president of the West End
Association: Clarence De Witt Rogers. Frederick
Do Berard, OF the Merchants Associations Profess
sor Isaac l. Rice. William J. Moran and Clark
Bell. Bishop Potter said.
I would Ike to- first OF all say, that ti,is ,,oo,i.,,
deserves to put itself record against any frr,
1her encroaIhments on this beautiful thoroughfare
i move that Il committee seven bc appointed tn
consider IN" entire subject and report 10 tho
this association invite the co-operation Of tie cit
2 Gens & or Sew York. Of every residence and class
s2E New '9s York RFo'ee'n Of one Of the great lungs OF
what has bee taken fro n us not to prevent Ir
thrr "ncroay ynments. Just think Of this drive from
canpa-% Win + p'f ~ u we m o . 9I 'tGna' 10
croaoEments WIN lose it all
BIt al in-tters aud CONGREGATIONS fade into in
ures going up al! aboGt Us. Then think OF The lines
Tf 6aD% carriages ON uG drive from 72d street to
on no They are brought from tenements and
that? And our highest sisnaranre Is thaf Soss s%s
who safeguard this drive do 50. not for themselves
speak for themscIves VIM ''''''''
Clarence De ". Rogers cI,-d the statutes and
the various sections % tho greater New York char
ter In the statute Of 1891 providing for the build
ing OF Riverside Drive, II was provided that no
nuisances to the detrirlent OF the park should he
permitted. The amended statute OF 1895 provided
that no buildings should be erected above 5sth
street that were detrimental to park purposes
Section si4 OF the Greater New York Charter uro-
vides that any owner or lessee may erect a build
Ing FOR regularly receiving or dlscharging cargo
thereat' Section Sis says that nothing in preccd-
Ing sections shall give the right To erect on any
pier or puIkhead any FtorehOuSes. booths. shops
other buildings, except provided I'm the section
quoted
Mr. Rogers also quoted opinion Of Justice In
graham. Of the Appellate Division of the Suprem.
Court. in which the justice said that II was no, In
tended by the charter 10 allow permanent struct-
ures to be built in marginal streets
William J. Moran. who assistant secretary
to Mayor Low, spoke nj length. denounclng the
firms which have pier or hulkhcad privileges lie
said:
We don't know II the city administration will do
more than stand pat. 1t Is possible that tho
ministration is not interested at present I'm such
matters The interests have got to fight and
they are strong against us lead with one concern
pany. In a report made 10 Mayor Low il was
shown that this firm had leased the pier at the
foot or 18th street for 81 80 year and is making
something more than 81. 30 Il week profit ouf OFi
That is enough for them 10 hire the most astuta
lawyers In the city TO fight this movement There
Is no Justification either from an aesthetic or 2r-
1 osIc STANDPOINT to maintain this eyesore. The
OILY Justlncation these men have s the profit they
make out OF Il. If cohesive and well defined
movement il started every of the legal i'm
pcdiments. which will surely be put in orr p,aH
VIII ultimately be set aside "''
Mr. Hawkes., who was Commissioner OF Docks
and Ferries under Mayor Low. told how the citv
acquired the waterfront properties. He went back
to the time of the Dongan and Montgomery char
He said.
What We must do is to go before the I.egisat,,ra
ana urge a change In the statutes SO that the two
reservations can be done away with once for ali
Conditions have changed since these reserva tiong
were first allowed We can't stop these neonie enc
agree with Bishop Potter that We have 9ot 70
get the city to make change in its policy regard
have got to have II. We must face the mattar
fairly and squarely.