New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-06
Injunction and Retaliation
of Real Estate Postpone
Settlement
Wilcox Opposes Grant
Not a Single Argument in
Favor of Plan Tenable,
He Declares


Drive-New York Central contract were
concluded by the Board OF Estimate
yesterday with prospects Of solution
further away than when the arguments
opened.
Obstacles in the way OF adoption OF
the tentative agreement, as now drawn,
were listed yesterday as follows;
No vote or official action may be
taken by the Board OF Estimate for an
indefinite period. because Of the tens
porary restraining order issued by JUS
tice Cropsey, Of the Supreme Court in
Brooklyn, more than a month ago.
Mavor Mitchell will not be permitted
10 work out the legal phases of the
city's defence in the injunction pro-
ceedings, because Of a peremptory order
issued by Justice Cropsey, under which
he. with other city officials, must state
the case OF the city in court next SAT-
urday morning.
Announced intention 70 vote against
the measure by members OF the Board
Of Estimate has left those who ap-
prove the contract with margin OF
two votes.
Reconsideration Of the present draft
of the contract, revaluation OF all tbs
real estate involved in tho deal with
the road and legal obstacles may carry
the time for action beyond the ten
months remaining OF Mayor Mitcheps
administration, leaving the entire prob
lem to the next municipal administers
ton.
Mayor Warns of Delay
Mayor Mitchell joined with officials
Of the City Club and representatives
OF the New York Central Railroad IN
saying that another delay on the West
Side improvement would result in many
years Of inaction, complete loss OF tho
time and money already expended on
the city's plans and heavy loss to busi-
ness interests because Of freight con-
gestion and other difficulties involved
IN use of the roads facilities as they
now stand.
Efforts 20 speed up action on the inn
provement will be made to-day at a
conference between members OF the
Board of Estimate and a committee rep
resenting the Public Service CommlS-
sion. Cooperation between the two
bodies Il expected to go FAR toward re-
moving the questions concerning inc
jurisdiction of the two bodies.
In response 20 an invitation from
Controller Prendergast, the Public
Service Commission yesterday nance
Commissioners Hodge, Whitney ana
Hervey 10 cooperate with the Board OIL
Estimate and the port and terminal
committee in working out the wess
Side problem. The two bodies VIII h0lu
their first session this morning IN MI
Prendergasts office.
Wilcox Opposes Plan
Yesterdays hearing was pianheu %
-, onnortunitv for those who had OBJ
iectod 70 the contract 20 make answers
70 The statements OF those fayoring tho
n,oiec, The surprise Of the day came,
however. when william K. WILCOX, re
nublican national chairman ana ioriher
chairman of the Public Service COM
m;ssion. appeared and asked Tor an OPP
nortunitv TO speak against the plan'
MIR. Wilcox arguments were almea
specifically against the theory OF per
petual franchise as opposed 70 tne sug-
gestion of term grants 70 the raiiroSo'
Although protesting thar ne ieit 'hs
friendliest feeling for every MEMBER ot
tho hoard and respected their JuoB-
49, he compared the proposed grant
70 the action Of more than a quarter OF
a century ago in turning Broadway over
70 the Sharp coterie for surface car
operation. ... H.. ~.
city 10 turn over any part OF us prop
erty 20 q railrosd corporation In per
netuity.v said Mr. Wilcox. ~ tne
nroposition we're submitted 70 vote OF
the people. 90 per Cent Of them would
vote against 10. ,.
"This is the first time in thirty years
and that was when Jake Sharp ana
his motley crew were given perpetual
rights on Broadway and Seventh Ave.
nue-that the question OF perpetuai
easements has come up for considera-
ton. Would you, or any set OF men
who could be brought together TO pass
upon the question, suggest perpetua.
easements Oh those two streets again.
| should say not
Called Fundamentally Wrong
Because our ancestors made mis-
take seventy years ago IN granting GER.
tain rights 10 the New YORK central
Railroad is no reason why we should
make similar mistakes again and again.
! haven't heard single argument Ia
favor Of the plan that was tenabie. The
proposed agreement is fundamentally
wrong.
The argument that the railroad
would not spend its money 10 improve
the railroads unless given perpetual
grants surely is not good. Did not tho
entire subway system come into beng
without the suggestion OF perpetual
franchise7 Financiers put up SlOO,OOO,-
600 for our subways or franchise that
has forty-nine years OF life. II seems
20 me that there is no reason why tho
New York Central should be in such a
different position than the subway
Builders"
Mrs Charles A. Bryan. DR.. William
II. Allen, director Of the Institute for
Public Service, and representatives OF
other organizations that have opposed
the project spoke against IL yesterday.
The Women's League FOR the Pres
cryation Of Riverside Park Will con-
tinue this fight during the next mu-
nicipal election" said Mrs. Bryan.
"They will see 20 IL that no officer is re-
elected who opposes their plans 10 save
Riverside Park"
II accept that as promise, not as
-