New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-19
Plans Opponents Predict
Radical Changes in
West Side Contract
WOULD BE ADOPTED
BY IMMEDIATE VOTE
MatheWson's Attitude Is in
Doubt-Reappraisal of
Real Estate Probable

Radical changes in the proposed Riv-
erside Drive-New York Central i'm
provement contract, it is predicted by
opponents of the plan, will be made be-
fore the measures comes UP for final
vote before the Board OF Estimate.
This statement was made by officers
Of opposing organizations yesterday
when it was shown that recent com
ments of members of the Board OF Es-
innate had shown that an immediate
vote on the contract would result in its
adoption by the narrow margin Of
two votes. Should Borough President
Mathewson OF The Bronx vote against
the measure instead Of for it, as oppo-
nents of the plan say he may do, tie
would result.
How Members Will Vote
The number of votes TO be east by
each member OF the board and their
probable attitude on the question fol-
low:
For the contract-Mayor Mitchell, 3;
Controller William A. Prendergast, 3;
Lewis II. Pounds, Borough President OF
Brooklyn, 2; Douglas Mathewson, Bor-
ough President Of The Bronx, /; total,
Q votes.
Against the contract-F. l.. Bowling,
President OF the Board of Aldermen,
3: Marcus NJ. Marks, Borough Presi-
dent OF Manhattan. 2; VI. L. Connolly,
Borough President of Queens. !; {. h.
Van Name, Borough President Of Rich
mond, /; total, votes. 49,
Mr.. Mathewson has not indicated ms
attitude. His questions at the near
ings have caused those VINO favor the
plan TO assert that he is committed 10
II. Opponents have classified him az
doubtful" however, and hope that
since he has it in his power to prevent
adoption OF the plan in It's present
form. he will hold out for the amend
ments they have demanded.
One Change Likely
One important change in the contract
locked upon as almost certain - inc
ordering OF reappraisal OF all real
estate involved in the deal with the
New York Central. II was charged at
the hearings that the city's experts had
not had sufficient experience IN TINS
sor; OF work and that outside help
should be employed in new appraisais;
Strenuous efforts will be made by
those opposing the plan, backed by Bor-
ouph President Connolly, TO obtain
more compensation from the railroad
for the rights being granted TO 1t oy
the city. Mayor Mitchell insists that
the road has made its last concession
however, and would pay nothing for
the real estate and street crossing
privileges being turned over to II under
the proposed contract other than the
real estate the road is turning over 10
the city as its part Of the bargain.
Meanwhile. another move IS berg
planned at Albany by State Senator A.
W. Burlingame. Of Brooklyn. who has
expressed himself as favoring an IN
vestigation of the question By the Leg
islaturc. A resolution calling for such
an investigation was sent TO the Com
mittee on Finance, and still is in its
hands.
Would Suspend Rules
Senator Burlingame yesterday an
nounced that he would ask for a sus.
pension of the rules of the Legislature,
the discharge Of the committee and
final action upon the resolutions By the
entire Legislature this week unless the
committee took immediate action upon
il Such vote. he said, would ne al
most certain TO result in a legislative
investigation Of the plan. l. would re-
suit in greater delay in fnal solution
of the West Side track problems.
Senator Burlingamc intimated that
he regarded seriously the charge that
Controller Prendergast's connection
with the Lands Company, Of Depew,
m ;ght be worthy of investigation, be-
cause Of the alleged association of that
company with the New York Central
Railroad. Il is probable that he will
use this fact AZ an argument IN favor
Of the legislative investigation.
Hearings on the contract will be re-
sumed this morning.