New-York tribune., 1909-02-17
HOW CITY BUYS SITES
DISCUSS MANY. METHODS.
John H Hallock Suggests Changes
IN Condemnation Actions

George G. Hallock. Jr.'s Sons, spoke last night
about Condemnation Proceedings at the real
estate school of the West Side Young Mems Chris
tan Association, No s20 West 9th street The
large auditorium In which the sessions Of the school
held comfortably filed, many persons pres
ent being prominent in various branches OF the
real estate market The speaker outlined the legal
steps taken in this city to condemn property for
street purposes, for school, rehouse sites and for
other municipal projects He also told about the
methods Of condemning property In many states
and IN many foreign countries. He further said:
The present policy Of the Board of Estimate in
the matter OF acquiring title property for public
parks and public places which increase the street
is for the city to bear half the cost the other
half being assessed the property benefited.
This has had depressing effect upon many per
sons who believe that every should have a
public park in front his house
But now, when 1t comes to paving for the i'm
provenent the owners whose properties
sessed with half the cost of the Improvement usu-
ally object most vigorously Heretofore the entire
cost was borne by the city OF New York and public
parks were always IN demand. but under the new
policy of the local board the entire situation has
changed
AN amendment to the present system Of aoquir-
ing property has been suggested by some able
minds. for the city not only TO take the properly
which actually required for the Improvement but
also all the property that is deemed to be benehted
thereby For instance. if a very large plaza or
public place is required by the city, the value OF
the surrounding property may be tremendously IN
creased. The plan is TO also acquire lulS property
and the city to sell It at public sale: the city would
reap the benefits of it's improvements Those op-
posed the plan claim that the city is reimbursed
through increased taxation Nothing has ever been
done on this line. 1t is simply suggestion. but
some day something of the kind may be adopted
ACTIONS COVER LONG PERIODS
THE objection that most real estate experts have
against appearing in proceedings of condemnation
a fact that they consume so much time ana the
pay is sufficient reimburse them for lost ad-
vantages For instance, an expert Is requested 70
value piece of real estate, and, with an idea OF
appearing before commissioners in proceeding ne
agrees with the attorney to terms and gets
ready After getting his figures and all the oata
he REQUIRES consultations held, and then the
time Of the first hearing is arranged He attends
meetings and finds that only two cornissio
have appeared, and that the attorney representing
the owner will proceed unless the entire com
mission is the first hearing. when experts are
qualified
This means an adjournment and another
date is arranged. and that time the Corporation
Counsel is unable 70 be present, and another oa'e
IS fixed and it goes until the expert Is aoou'
tired Of adiournments and finally he is heard on
his direct examination. and then more adjourn-
r,euts are taken and then he learns that the Dam
aRe map is incorrect. and new map is furnished
bv the clerk OF the department, and the surveyor
IS placed on the stand verify as TO the correct
ness OF the new map. This done the CorporaUoH
C,o,nsaI moves that the direct testimony already
given by the expert be removed from the re>oros,
as the map not correct ana the nsures arc eil
wrong and after your figures all corrected you
tho, arain proceed with the direct examination
rd tta Corpors ton Counsel begins the cross-exair-
nation These delays have consumed two or tnree
months with fifteen or twenty APPOINTMENTS 80
that for the experts services he receives very
small fec probably at the end or year. ana IN
some cases two three years, for he mas entered
into an agreement with the attorney representing
che owner n receive his money after the award has
been made and his fee paid
WANTS LAW AMENDED.
THE mode OF appointing commissioners as now
Droyided should be changed and entirely removed
from politics. The power Of appointment shouIo
rest with some public spirited body Ike the Chai'-
her Of Commerce The city should be divided into
ec+,ons Ike south Of 14Sh street, East Side; south
NJ 14b street West Side: 18th street 10 69th street.
Fast Side; same the West Side; 10th street
T-a st Side same on West Side; 10th street East
Side 10 Harlem River; West Side TO West
15oth street: also Washington Heights and The
Bronx Appoint three, six nine or twelve commits
sioners 10 each district the improvements might
warrant or according to the population Have each
commission composed Of three men. the chairman
being a member Of the bar. at a salary OF $1,000 a.
wear and the other two members at $3.50 each
10 be appointed for term of years or during their
usefulness TO the community
Let them hold sessions every day in the week
oept Saturday and Sunday, and the number
of hours that court is held by the justices OF
the Supreme Court These commissioners to act
only in case OF a dispute between the city and the
owner of property the city is about to take for
improvement. Ali property should be purchased
within sixty days from the day II IS selected for
a public Improvement and paid for the day
on which the title is vested in the city. The price
should be arrived at by two three real estate
experts. making their appraisas for the city and
finally agreeing amount among themselves
pay for the property. and this amount paid on
the dav OF taking title, and II amount is noe
agreeable the party selling 20 the city let him
accept this amount part payment and GO before
one of these Of commissioners. according TO the
district. and prove the value of his property and
endeavor get the difference between his figures
and the he has been paid