The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1917-02-28
OUTERBR|DGE HAzY
ON RIVERSIDE PLAN
DETAILS, BUTFOR|T
Hearings on Such Questions
Waste of Time, Says Cham
Der of Commerce Head.

f. II. outerbrldge, President OF the
Chamber OF Commerce, had an un-
comfortable half hour OF cross exam
ination to-day before the Board OF
Estimate when he appeared TO urge
the adoption Of the New York Central
West side improvement plan.
II think the plan Of having public
hearings at all on such questions as
this is a useless proceeding" said Mr..
Outerbridge. They are a fearful
waste Of time, and a relic OF those
days Of corrupt government when we
did not have such honest and capable
officials as we now have.
II am not rich enough TO afford the
time 90 attend these hearings and to
fnmiliariEe myself with all tho crlti-
cisms that have been made upon this
plan. II seems 10 me that those
people who did come here daily in
opposition must have unlimited
funds. have not found anybody
who has 20 work for living able TO
como here day after day
Frank Dowllng. President OF the
Board OF Aldermen, and Borough
Presidents Marks and Connolly
quickly began q fire OF heckling uues-
tions that embarrassed and confused
the President OF tho Chamber. They
asked what he knew about public
hearings, corrupt government and
many details OF tho proposed railroad
contract which he could not answer.
But Mr. Outerbrdgo was firm In be-
| lief that. irrespective OF details, the
Improvement plan should be immedi-
ately adopted for the benefit OF the
business interests Of tho city
"Do you believe in the city granting
franchises in perpetuIty?" he was
asked.
Il would consider first OF all the
business interests. and the future
welfare OF the city," was the reply. Il
think that II the people would 20 TO
Washington and protest against the
giving away OF our International
franchises on the high seas they would
be doing better service than coming
here and criticising what YOU gentle
men propose to do on tho west side. "
Don't you think President Wilson
is able 20 handle the International
matter properly queried Dowllng.
Il sincerely hope he Is going 70 do
So" replied Outerbridge.
In reading resolution adopted by
the chamber. the President added this
blanket endorsement:
The Chamber OF Commerce Is per
tectly willing TO underwItte the ma
jority OF the Board OF Estimate in
what they are proposing to do In this
matter"
Clarence II. Kelsey. President OF the
| Title Guaranty and Trust Company
speaking for real estate interests, said
that the Improvement should bo en-
tered upon as quickly az possible
Real estate owners throughout the
city were unQualifedly In favor oil
the plan being consummated and the
matter settled.
"The objections OF residents in the
Riverside Drive region" said MT
Kelsey. are selfish and unpatriotic as
compared with the needs OF the city
and the general benefits TO be derived
from tho Improvement.
81 consider the trade emlnentiy fail
and the ends 20 be achieved so i'm.
poTtant that there is no question tn,
city should close the contract Will
the railroads on these terms. In fac
. tho city should be glad 20 make con
cessions TO the railroad II they wer,
demanded, 80 urgent Is the need o
. the Improvement"
Like Mr.. Outerbridge. Mr.. kelse!
: had made no study OF details OF tn,
. plan and could not speak speoificall!
! regarding franchises. real estate val
; uations. rights OF way, &C, but n
was perfectly willing 10 leave nj
these questions 10 city officials I,
. pass upon.
! Irving 4, Bush spoke on the urgen
. needs OF better freight facilities 70
: Manhattan and the handicap put upol
business enterprise by the delays 0
: Insufficient terminals. He considered
, that the New York Central plan OF
fered a beneficial relief 10 a Soriou
! situation and therefore urged the ap
I proval OF tho contract.
: The fundamental cause for indus
I. tries leaving New York is the inabil
lity to receive and deliver freight with
out delay. II IL tho lack OF ou
Z freight facilities that Is causing Ney