New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-27
URGES ADOPTION
OF AMENDMENTS
Counsel of Queens Asso-
Citations Speaks at State
Convention.
SEEK TO END
PRESENT EVILS
Property Owner Is Now De
fencelesS. Says Framer of
Measure.

Philip B. La Roche, ir, counse
for the United Civic Association o
Queens Borough. who framed the pro
posed amendments 10 the state const!
tuition. was present at the Albany hear
Ing and urged their speedy adoption
The amendments, j; is hoped, will les
sen, Il not entirely eradicate, many OF
The evils that hcset property owner:
or account Of the present legaiizeC
methods in condemnation proceedings
La Roche, with r. Gardner Ellsworth
John W Weed, William Edgar Weaver
John l. Stoerer Thomas i. Murphy
Captain Frederick Russell and many
other persons, has been waCing Wig
oroBs campaign for some years 20 bring
about i change for the betteTment in
condemnation actions. The goal tow
trd which they have been marching
seems now 20 be close al hand, at least
y was never nearer they say. La
Roche was graduated from Columbia
University To- 1902. and from the New
York Law School In 1908 His city
home is az 50i Madison av., and his
sumner home az Amltyviile, Long ISL
and. He was cousin Of the late Sen
tior La Roche
here are the kernels Of the proposed
ttanges IN the condemnation law:
Compensation 20 be made therefor for
Nc requirement OF or damages TO pri-
ule property small he ascertaincd by
foi less than three Justices Of the Su-
Mem. lUr|rH ytsk ah.1I laY h..y
tnd determine all claims for cOmpen-
hi'on and matters Incidental thereto.
justices sufficient M number Tor the
NioTmance o. these duties shall be
assigned for that purpose, each for
PERIOD OF not less than five years, by
NE appellate division of the respective
.spartmeniS lu which the justices are
10 act.
Municipal and other corporations and
Individuals invested with the privilege
" taking private property for public
Use shall make just compensation for
We property taken. injured or de-
sVoyed by the construction or enlarge
hent OF works, highways or improve
nenS' which compensation shall be
p'd before such taking, injury or de-
t,ruetion.
Inc words private property include
.stry valuable interest IN things which
st recognized as property as between
p'yaie persons
general benefits resulting from pub
&c Improvements shall not be assessed
IUeally. General DEMENT'S shall be
seemed 20 include such exemptions
n0m assessment as may be conferred
law, the expenses of any proceeding
~. AZ he taking, inJuring or assessment
private property and the expenses Of .
party 10 any litigation therefor
"a regard 20 the campaign for chang
nays:
ihese are matters which are gen
.Siy regarded as being Of interest TO
r.! Few people This may be true.
- more than 10000 individual own
~ % property in this city were di-
10y Affected by condemnation and
Is'ssssment proceedings in the last year.
49,. the principle involved. viz. the
1910, ~ OF the rights Of private citi-
49, IRON unjust eDcroachments and
A. aty eNactions under the pretext
?" every one
series Of legislative enactments
sss pdieial interpretations the safe
kus OF our present constitution have
~ huihhed and the individual has
49,. ~ Ieit defenceless II this were
4, generally understood there would (
a. GREATER popular interest in the fate ,
va proposed amendments. There
M, ume w0en Americans sacrificed
70, uIy 'heir fortunes but their lives
las principle. But now We have ver,,
,y.' s ufne for that sort Of thing. The
Al, se man Is too much engrosscd in
sror vIh struggle for existence to look
70, no nm or 10 take much thought
10 G S OF the points which ! ATTEMPTED
Ia, press upon the committee was
RE" was mistake TO attribute the ;
' expense Of condemnation pro- ,