New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-13
CITY CLUB TAKES ARMS
FOR NEW LAND METHODS
FavorS Constitutional Amend
ment Relating to Condemna-
ton of Private Property.
COMMISSIONS A SCANDAL
Organization, Issuing Pamphlet
for Voters, Makes Pointed
Criticism of the Present
Systems Evils.

The City Club has sent out a pamphlet
advocating the adoption Of Constitutional
Amendment No. /. which is to be voted
upon this fall. In letter accompanying
the pamphlet 1t is stated that the amend
ment seems to make possible two reforms
seriously. needed in New York City. These
reforms are the substitution of a direct,
prompt, responsible court method of con-
demning private property for public uses,
instead of the notorious three-commis-
sioner" method. and the bestowal on
cities of the power to go outside street
and park lands and TO acquire enough
abutting property to secure suitable bulo-
ing sites.
The amendment provides that when
private property shall be taken for any
public use the compensation to be made
therefor. when compensation is not made
by the state shall be ascertained by the
Supreme Court, with or without a jury,
but not with a referee; and that the
Legislature may authorize cities to take
more land and property than is needed
for actual construction in the laying out.
widening, extending or relocating parks,
public places, highways or streets, pro-
vided that the additional land and prop
erty so authorized to be taken shall be no
more than sufficient to form suitable
building sites, abutting on such park, pub
lie place. highway or street.
Regarding the method of condemnation.
the City Club holds that the present
reconnaissance" system in New
York City is notorious for its scandal
ously long delays, its great interest
charges rolled up against the city; its
long delay in property owners receiving
their money and its responsibility and
excessive cost.
AS to the power Of condemnation, 1t Is
pointed out that the present power is de-
ficient because a city can take only prop
erty in the bed Of a street or other public
place must pay consequential damages
for taking parts of lots or buildings, gets
no offset for improving value of property
must often leave unusable property along
the line of great public improvements
and loses the taxable value of such prop
erty because no one has power TO consoi-
idate il into disable form.
Further, IL is declared that the grant OF
the proposed power of excess condeinna-
ton would decrease the cost OF puphc
improvements by eliminating consequent
tial damages" decrease the cost by the
resale Of surplus land. promptly consoh-
date unusable property into disable FORM
secure full taxable value Of such property
control the character OF buildings abut-
ting new parks, public places and streets
and give into the treasury Of the whole
city part of the increased value produced
by the city.
The following statements are excerpts
from the pamphlet of the City Club:
New York City pays condemnation
commissioners more money than all its
Judges receive
"Tt took three commissioners eight years
10 condemn 81 worth of property Tor the
extension Of Jerome avenue. Borough Oh
The Bronx. They held l52 meetings. ana
the cost to the city was a,6e5 VI.
eft took three commissioners five years
70 condemn property for the approach 10
the Manhattan Bridge. They held about
100 meetings.
"The commissioners TO acquire land ior
the Grand Boulevard and Concourse were
.on the Job for about fifteen years III
,h,rteen wears one commissioner, spend
ing. perhaps, three hours a week. receiver
from the city sH.7S2"