New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-02
But First Public Hearing
Develops Only Minor
Objections.
NEED FOR GENERAL
TERMINAL SET FORTH
II Is Insisted Also That More
Soil Be Used TO Cover
Park Tunnel.

Many minor objections TO tho plans !
for the relocation and Improvement Of
the West Side tracks OF the New York !
Central Railroad were heard yesterday
nj the first of the public hearings on
the matter before the Board OF Esti-
mate. The West End Association en-
tered protest against beginning the
hearings at this time. stating that there
had not been sufficient time to study
the plans carefully since they were
made public.
I'VE are advised" said John c. Cole
man, counsel for the association, chat
from the autographed scale plans it
appears that in the treatment OF River
side Park about two-thrds OF all the
existing trees, bushes and shrubbcry,
from Seventy second Street TO 129th
Street, will be entirely cut away and
removed, and that the new railroad lines
10 be built eastward Of the present right
Of wav will require the excavation of a
strip averaging upward of 100 feet in
width, and that it will be several years
before even the two-foot surface, CON
sisting in large part Of bride path,
can be restored over the roof of the
new tracks
No Desire to Obstruct.
Mr.. Coleman said that the association
desired 20 take the matter up intelli-
gently. and did not desire to be classed
as obstructionists, but that no intelli-
gent discussion could be had unless all
the data were before them. The asso-
citation had not yet received full set
Of the new plans, he declared. The
written protest was fled.
Those opposed to the plans were called
upon to present their arguments first
Miles VI. Dawson, who appeared for
conference OF the City Club and other
civic bodies, Endorsed ire plan in part,
but discussed plans which they thought
might be an improvement on the pres
ent plans. All the plans suggested by
the civic bodies will be taken into CON
sideratior and If the Committee on
Port and Terminal thinks wise. the rep
resentatives OF these bodies will be
called into conference with the com
mttee after the hearings have closed.
Mr.. Dawson contcnded that the roof
Of the tracks should be covered with ut
least four feet OF soil. instead of two
feet, as al present provided. He said
that the structure should be made 20
carry that amount of soil. even though
il was not needed over the entire roof
He declared the provision for passen-
gers was inadequate, especially in Man
hattanville, and that south Of Fifty
ninth Street, where the proposed plans
elevated the tracks. no stations foi
passengers were provided. He suggest
ed that the suburban system be car
ried south to Cortlsndt Street, which
would help passengers going up the
Hudson River.
Should Be General Terminal.
Mr.. Dawson said that proper pro-
vision should be made for the use OF
the tracks by other railroads, and that
the New York Central should not stand
in the way OF making the improvement
general terminal in this city. The
New York Central has indicated its
willingness TO do this. but did not want
TO put II in the contract, which Mr..
Dawson thought should be done.
Mrs. Charles A. Bryan, representing
the Women's Civic Club. pointed out
that the plans provided for cut
through Riverside Park from Grants
Tomb to Seventeen Street, which would
afterward be covered over, and that
with not more than three feet OF soil at
any point on top OF the covering it
would not permit of the planting Of
trees. or even shrubs. She said she
thought the Fairgrounds on top of this
structure had been suggested not be-
cause they were needed, but because
the plans did not permit Of the treating
of the railroad covering in any other
way. The Controller said 1t was the
Park Commissioner and not the com
mttee who suggested the location OF
Fairgrounds on top of the covering. II
was suggested by several others that
the depth OF the soil over the tracks
should be several feet more than the
present plans provided