New-York tribune., 1909-04-02
FOR COURTHOUSE SITE
BAR Association .4CTS.
Committee Hopes to Get Plot an
Chambers Street Soon.

The belief was expressed yesterday by prominent
members OF the Bar Association and other legal
and civic organizations in this city that the ques
| ton of when and where courthouse should
be erected would be decided Patriotic motives
only were said TO inspire the hard work being done
by these men to obtain this result. pointed
out that most of the who now suffer from lack
OF facilities would be beyond the capacity enjoy
the new edihce if an early decision was made
concerning the site and character of the home
of justice.
The Association Of the Bar OF the city of New
York has appointed = committee of whose busi-
ness 1t is TO urge behalf of the association
immediate selection of site for new courthouse
and the prompt erection of the building.
The meeting at the Bar Association was marked
oy much enthusiasm There was the feeling that
something had to be done right away. Edmund
Wetmore. the president appointed Charles F. Bost-
wick chairman of the committee charged with the
duty of getting results. Others making up the com
mittee are ex-Justice Mortimer G. Addoms AL
bert 5. Bard, Frederic r. Coudert. James NJ Gf-
ford. William A Jenner. ex-Surrogate Rastus S.
Ransom Henry X Williams. John De Witt Warner
and ex-Justice Charles s Whitman
Mr.. Rostwick said Yesterday that he expected
favorable action next Wednesday when several
other committees representing organizations which
have the importance of the courthouse matter at
heart will meet to discuss definite plan which is
10 get through the Legislature that will by
fits terms condemn the property on the north side
OF Chambers street from the side of the Hall
of Records building TO roadway
There will be present at this meeting, which Will
be held at the courthouse at Ais p m, Mr.. Bost-
wick said. several justices OF the Supreme Court,
a committee from the New York County Lawyers
Association, l.. Latin Kellogg. representing the
Federation of Fine Arts; a committee from the
city Club OF New York. several members Of the
Legislature and Albert f. HenscheI former As
sistant Corporation Counsel.
II these men agree upon the site and the means
that should be taken hasten matters. Mr. Bost-
wick thinks, there win not be much trouble OBJ
tanning the assistance of the Legislature. In
thev do agree in these matters. he said yes
ultimate erection Of skyscrap-r On the present
site Mr. Bostwick continued:
Although four sites have been selected the
Board Of Estimate ana Apportionment. which un-
der the acts or 1903 and 1915 is specially empowered
10 approve diSapprove Of the site chosen by the
courthouse board. has djsapproved of every site
thus far selected, Special attention is directed
the fact not any that long delays have interviewed
between the times when the several reports of the
courthouse board were submitted and action there
taken che part OF the Board of Estimate and
ApportiOnment, but that, in addition, there
interminable delays the part of the courthouse
board before acting after the rejection by the
Board of Estimate and Apportionment of given
site. II is u. matter OF common knowledge that
these delays ostsnsiby were due during the last
few years almost entirely TO financial consdera-
tions. based upon the probable expense for the
selection a and the construction OF court
house. Nearly six years have elapsed, and no site
has vet been adopted. although the act explicitly
directed that site be located with all convenient
speed
Further delay in selecting a site would be a
hindrance to the due administration of Justice"