New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-08
SUBWAY ENTRIES
ON PRIVATE LAND
Realty Board Agrees with Mr.,
Marks About William
Street Exits.

The Real Estate Board Of New YORK
and the public generally take un-
usual interest in the public statement
Of Travis II. Whitney. secretary Of the
Public Service Commission, that the
commission agrees with Borough Prcsl-
dent Marks that the location Of sub
way entrances on private property m
stead of on william Street IL most
desirable, if reasonable terms can be
obtained.
Laurence VI. y. Mcclure. president OF
the Real Estate Board. states:
at has been known for some time
that Borough President Marks Is in
sIstent that narrow, overcrowGed
streets such as William and Nassau
shall not under any circumstances be-
given over to subway entrances and
exits. He has received the hearty IN
dorsement Of the Real Estate Board IN
his demands that the definite location
of the William Street subway entrances
and exits be settled al once, while sub
way work is in progress
For months the Real Estate Board
has insisted that the recent plans are
deficient in the matter Of entrance and
exit arrangements. II has called 70
Chairman McCal's attention that en-
frances wider than feet s inches
should be provided for. especially at
Fulton street. whore all traffic must
pass through entrances on the easterly
side of the street only. The engineers
Of the Public Service Commission adj
NIT thai the present arrangements are
not inadequate, and all familiar with
the subjec, realize that the matter can
only be settled by easements being
taken through private property, pro-
vidcd entrances and exits cannot legal
Is be placed ia the middle Of the road
bed as proposed by the Maurice Dcutsch
PLAZA. The railroad and transportation
committee Of the Real Estate Board
after carefully considering all plans,
made unanimous recommendation that
the sidewalks on William Street, which
aro only 10 10 feet In width and over
crowded at the present time. be not
used for entrance and exit purposes,
that wider entrances and exits than
those called for in the present plans be
provided: and tina, the city therefore
take easements through private prop
erty by condemnation for entrance and
exit purposes The resolution adopted
by the board Of governors Of the Real
Estate Board on May II. 1915, was as
follows:
"'Resolvcd. That in connection with
tho construction OF subways on Will
lam and Nassau Streets being narrow
streets. the Real Estate Board Of New
York believes that the use Of side
walks fOr entrances and exits would be
unwise. and that easements on private
property should be condemned. but only
sufficient space taken for entrance and
exit purposes. and that all entrances
and exits should be planned sufficiently
wide 90 satisfactorily handle the
traffic.'"
Mr.. Mcclure further states: The
city should not permit any delay in
this important matter because Of
tedious private negotiations. IL should
not expect 20 get something for moth
ing. and neither should II pay more
for easements than they are worth. -
Tie offers the cooperation Of the Real
Estate Board with Borough prosideI
Marks and with the Public Service
Commission.
In conclusion Mr. Mcclure says that
the important factor is 20 settle the
matter at the earliest possible moment
as 1t can be handled by the city nor,
economically a, the present time thar
later on, when the work Of construc
ton IS further along. The public has 4
night 20 demand proper facilities foi
reaching the busy William Stree, sub
way stations when the line is in opera
ton. This route is the most easterly
Of the four downtown subwsys. and /.
ono OF the most important, as il serve
not only upper Manhattan. but also the
outlying districts OF Brooklyn.
1T Is certain that the traffic will be