New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-04
BARRIERS OR VANDALS7
Removal Of Facades Of New YORK
Buildings Called Barbarism.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Sundays article referring 10 Bor-
ouxh President McAneny as Barber
for Buildings" suggests some questions
on this subject:
Would not "barbsrism" more itly de-
scribe this ruthless defscing Of the fs-
cades OF New York's finest buildings?
Is il worthy OF commendation that New
Yorks overburdened taxpayers have been
put 10 an expense Of from 100000 TO 10
90 COZ, as President McAneny. boasts, 10
remove what was erected In the nrst
instance under the written permits OF
officials charged with the same rights
and duties for generations as are the
present incumbents2 Does II strengthen
the equity OF the case 10 say that IL has
given employment to some OF the best
architects and builders 20 remodel the
fronts 10 conform 10 the perhaps dis
torted) view OF the law taken BY those
nov clothed with little. brief author-
ity"7 As 10 beautifying % the city py
shaving OF the ornamental features OF us
buildings, would II not be as reasonable
10 say that the removal Of the cornices.
which also project beyond the building
line. would have the same enect7
Was the 81. James Building beautihed
by the removal OF the classic portieo de-
signed by Bruce Price? Has the New
York Life Insurance Company's building
been beautlned by the demolishing OF us
stately colonnade. the work Of Mckim,
Mead & White7
II "heautifyng" buildings is 70 become
a function OF city officials. might not
some officials have Ideas OF beauty quite
"a incomprehensible as their ideas OF
duty
After all this Official vandalism has been
completed and some buildings rendered
less accessible and rentable thereby, Is
there any appreciable difference IN the
elbow room FOR pedestrians on congested
streets In rush hours7 IL not the result
a. The Journal OF Commerce says, in
consequenuaf?
And what are the public uses OF street
n not 20 give access and exit. light and
ventilation to the buildings erected on
them Would there be any pedestrians
20 use the sidewalks " there were no
buildings for them TO enter?
Does not every one Of the legal decis-
ions quoted as Justification refer 70 bay
windows. poriicos and steps, ornamental
walls and show windows which exceeded
the legal limits allowed by corporation
ordinances
l. there any justice In compelling prop
erty owners who have kept their stoops
and areas within the legal limits 10 re-
move them because few property own
ers have exceeded the legal limits
When President MacAneny stated az
recent conference on city planning that
the property owners OF New York City
had no right 10 these projections, other
than squatter rights, did he mean 10 say
that the Legislature, which granted the
stoop lines, the court which interpreted
their legality and all his predecessors for
the last century who had issued permits
for them. had acted illegally. And II so,
does he not stand self-convicted OF trans
crossing the Law In issuing an order per-
hitting these projections, within certain
limits established By himself? Whence
comes his authority 20 say 20 property
owners. Thus far shalt thou squat upon
public property and no further? Is 10
stipulated m the city ordinances? In the
city charter? BY the Legislature? BY the
courts Is not the power to make and
rsscind ordinances governing the use OF
streets confined To the Board OF Aldermen
and the Board OF Estimate and Appor-
tionment2 And while the latter board has
the power 10 rescind-a power which
should only be exercised under pressure
Of extreme public necessity-has II ever
rescinded In toto the general ordinances
in Manhattan and established In their
place the stoop lines permitted by Bor-
ough President MacAneny?
Is IL not basic principle OF the present
city charter that street improvements
should be initiated upon the petition OF
property owners affected? Has the pub
lie generally demanded IL? And, by the
way. isn't the city itself now doing the
very thing II is forcing others TO undo,
on the front OF its new Municipal Build
ing7 AUDI ALTERAM PARTEA.
New York, Aug. 20, 1919.