New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-22
, AGAINST TRACKS IN ASHLAND pL.
Brooklynite Implores Board Of EST.
mate Not to Grant Franchise.
ditor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir I thought perhaps you would Do
interested in the following letter that
have sent:
ITO the Board of Estimate and Appor.
tionment:
"As a trustee of the Brooklyn Institute
Of Arts and Sciences and as a citizen Of
Brooklyn / wish to protest with all the
emphasis at my command against the
granting of the franchise to the Three
Cent Railroad to use Ashland Place for
their trolley tracks.
II protest against II as unnecessary for
the road itself and as a great mistake
that will, If made, become graver and
more pronounced as IL Is the more ap'
preciated by the people OF the borough.
Brooklyn is to-day the city Of imposs-
BILE approaches, the borough of abortye
bridge entrances and exits. A COMMITTEES
of public spirited citizens has been work.
ing on a plan TO relieve this situation for
years, and when it appears that some
Roadway is made this added error Is
threatened
Last night the former President OF the
United States, Mr.. Taft, spoke at ths
Hamilton Club, and after expressing his
pleasure in coming TO Brooklyn and re-
calling the fact that 1t was the home Of
Beecher, Storrs and other men who have
made its name known the world around.
no declared that he would be inclined to
come oftener IL IL were possible TO know
just how to get IN and then how TO get
out again. He deplored the fact that
Burnham had passed away, but hoped
that some new city planner would come
TO the aid of Brooklyn and give TO II one
straight street.
"A small triangle lies between tins
Academy of Music and Fulton streets
comparatively small city block In Ell
rope it would have been turned into
park. Here II is a mass OF miseraos
buildings In the main.
I'VE realize that our city cannot AFFORD
to spend the money IT would take 70
make a park OF these buildings, but WAY
take the little space already belonging
the city and put trolley tracks on III .
slice OF little width has been added 70
Ashland Place, already impossibly smaA
for an approach TO the Academy OF MUSE
From the auditorium doors lead direct 70
this street. The noise of every trolley
that passed would be heard and cousa
not be shut out. Already a number
trolleys pass on Lafayette avenue, ou'
the permission for those tracks has been
OH nd do
near the auditorium or music hall.
IF you put tracks on Ashland PlaceN
will make opera wellnigh Impossible "
will mar the performances of the BROOK
lyn Institute, which are highly educa-
tional and conducive to civic prfue. ~
will make our beautiful Academy o.
Music, our home OF higher things ~
everyday life. as unfortunately situa'o'
as all our approaches have been and seem
destined to remain.
Brooklyn, 1t Is said, was laid OUT 0I
the Indians first. and then by the cows u
the Dutch settlers. The cowpatns hA''
been changed to streets, with little chais'
In their direction or convenience. DO Nv
add to the mistakes OF our foreta'ne"
and have our children blaming US ~
even more hideous errors. The laying
tracks on Ashland Place will be suen :
mistake as this Board of Estimate VIZ
never forget-and II they should forse'
the people who follow us will not.
There are intimate friends OF mine
the three-cent road-men whom Wa
like to favor-but this is a pubic mas.
of such seri us import, question ms
involves the future Brooklyn so decioeo'
and threatens to ruin or at least ~.
terially inture such splendid Broo.Is
institution. that friendship must DC 'a~
aside.
Il most emphatically protest asa'.
the laying of the tracks Of any rail,.1'
on Ashland Place. +. c. BLoN
Brooklyn. Nov. q. 1879