New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-30
Entered al the Poe,omcc a. New I
Mail Mater
The Part Versus the Whole

Mr.. HugheS's opinion on the West Side
track removal plan ought 20 clear the dis
cussion of much misunderstanding and mis-
Interpretation. His ability TO get to the
bottom of the problem and his knowledge
of the law are not likely 10 be seriously
challenged. Therefore when he says that
the plans as now agreed on between the
New York Central Railroad and commit
tee of the Board Of Estimate and Appor-
tionment are within the power of the city
board to approve, it should set at rest all
the loose talk about the "illegality" Of
making the contract.
The details of the plans, Mr.. Hughes
declares, must be left to the sound judg-
ment of the city's representatives in the
negotiations. 1t is unfortunate that the
exercise of this judgment has been assailed
in vehement fashion, and the good faith,
if not the personal integrity, of the men,
bers Of the Board Of Estimates committee
challenged. That is not the way to make
progress. Mr. Hughes's opinion brings out
clearly the point made by The Tribune re-
cently-that the railroads West Side fran
chise is unlimited and that the city and
the railroad, according to the law under
which these proceedings are being taken,
must agree on the terms of the contract.
What this means is that the city must
bargain with the railroad. 1t cannot I'M
pose terms; it must dicker. If its repre-
sentatives undertake to get more than the
railroad company believes it is for its ad-
vantage to give, that corporation can block
all further progress in an undertaking
which has been delayed far too many times
already. Naturally, under such circum-
stances the proposed plans are good thing
for the railroad. What must be proved,
in order 10 cause the Board of Estimate to
reject them, is that they are not good
hing for the city.
Such proof, in The Tribune's judgment,
has not been produced. 1t will be good
thing for the city to get the West Side
tracks off Death Avenue. 1t will be good
thing for the city when this railroad, the
only trunk line with direct entrance into
Manhattan, has adequate freight yards and
terminal facilities. 1t will be good thing
for the city when the railroad tracks which
now disfgure and mar Riverside Park can
be concealed, and when a long stretch of
park waterfront can be recovered by the
public from private ownership and divert
cd 10 public use as part of the park. just
how good a thing it will be for the city to
have this improvement carried outflow
good physically, materially, esthetically-
probably nobody in this generation, used to
present conditions, can realize. Assuredly
the annual saving in lives, the certainty of
improved freight facilities, with prospect
of a modern port development commensu-
rate with the great commercial position OF
this city, and the addition of nearly forty
acres Of upland and much waterfront tC
the park must count as no small items.
Opposition to these plans is focused
chiefly on the details which affect Riverside
Park. The residents of the Riverside sec
tion are bitter in denouncing the propose
as railroad grab" and in charging thai
the city has been "sold out" to the railroad
Careful study of the proposal, remember
ing the ten-year fight 10 bring forth any
way Of getting rid of the surface track:
which would not give the railroad every
thing and leave the city nothing, does not
reveal it in that sinister light TO The Trib
une Perhaps it is not the best plan so fal
as the park is concerned which could be
drawn, but The Tribune believes it to bC
the best plan which has been drawn, and
a point never to be overlooked-the only
plan agreeable to the railroad company anC
the city's representatives.
IL seems to be about time for the drop
ping of accusation and the discussion o.
this proposal on basis of reason, not emo
ton. The track removal is a crying need
Accomplishment of this improvement mus
benefit the city profoundly. The welfare
of the whole city must not be imperilleC
to take care of the interests of compare
lively small part of the city, especial!
when it has not been demonstrated with an!
great degree Of conclusiveness that those
interests will be harmed permanently. TIT
present Board of Estimate and Apportion
nent is not made up of the brand of off
Gals who would deliberately work perma
nent damage to the park, one of the city''
most valuable and valued possessions, if il
could be shown that these plans must pro-
duce that result. In all future discussion
the burden of producing proof sufficient to
vitiate the plans, rather than suspicion
rests on the Riverside people.