New-York tribune., 1907-03-24
STREET CRUSADE ON.
MOTORISTS TO WAGE WAR.
II. c. H. Plans Special campaign for
Better City High1cGys.

The special committee on streets appointed
by the Automobile Club OF America TO wage a
campaign against the disgraceful condition OF
New Yorls's highways has adopted a programme
which contempates action at Albany II a local
remedy cannot be found The active leaders in
the Automobile Clubs crusade are the members
Of the special street committee. consisting OF
President Colgate Hoyt Albert R. Shattuck and
". W. Niles William r. Warren, Charles E.
Knoblauch. Orrel A. Parker and Charles H.
Towle. members Of the regular street committee
will also be active
Mr.. Niles announced yesterday the programme
Of the special committee as follows:
The club is sick and tired of existing condi-
tions. and has gone into this campaign WITH
every intention of fighting it to nnIsh 9@ntiI @
better street conditions are obtained. our nGht
VIII apply not only To streets used by autono-
| bilists but to street conditions throughout the
entire city. We shall fight only against dirty
streets and the holes and defects in the surface
or the pavement. but also against the Illegal use
of streets for storing building materials, en-
croachment on streets by all who Improperly
use them such as pushcart men ana those VINO
store vehicles i'm the street. and against the ne
gal opening Of streets by gas companies. electric
companies builders and plumbers We shaIi
also take up the matter of the replacing of pave
ments by those who have dug up the streets as
the practice frequently has been for those open
ing streets TO leave them in a badly paved con-
dition.
In carrying out our campaign we purpose
authorities. 20 il they viii remedy H. Sec
ond il the local authorities refuse 10 act we
snail 60 over their heads to their supeTiors. 20
the Mayor for his appointiVe officers. TO the
Governor for the Borough President. Lastly II
we fnd that the legal system under which these
matters are operated is at fault We shall so 10
the Legislature ard urge the passage OF new
laws.
We have been investigating this matter care
fully. We can cite any number Of instances ot
streets which are I'm wretched repair. Fifth
avenue. itself. is so uneven as 10 be like coun-
try road a friend OF mine noticed that his
chauffeur zigzagging back and forth
through Fifth avenue. and thought he must be
intoxicated. hut found that the man was simply
lodging the holes in this fashionable thorough
fare. Take 59th street from Third to Sixth
avenue. its condition is dsgraceful Lexington
avenue. north Of 23d street. is in a hideous ,
condition. and these are only instances.
Part of the trouble is due 10 the form Of con-
tracts for paving. and we hope 10 get contracts
in such a form that they viii he more binding
on the contractors give the authorities more
power in enforcing their terms and impose a
money penalty fer failure 10 complete new paw
ing on time or 10 repair old paving AS mat
ters are now, a contractor who is supposedly
bound Ia make repairs will not move hts roller
and other apparatus 10 a part Of the city until
the number OF square yards out OF repair is
sufficient to make II worth his while. In conse-
quenoe. small holes 60 untouched until their
multiplicity gives number Of square yards
sufficient TO attract the contractor.
In our fight we want 10 cooperate With other
agencies TO bring about this needed reform. and
seeking the aid Of individuals. The
committee viii be glad 10 receive letters calling
attention TO specific instances of particularly
bad streets. Investigations VIII then be made
by the committee through Its agents. For this
purpose members of the club have volunteered
the use of their machines Letters should be
Automobile Club of America. 541h street, west
Of Broadway.