New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-05
N. Y. C.'S Agreement to
Four Expected to Wipe
Out Opposition
p. S. {. HEARINGS
BEGIN JANUARY 20
Right of Other Roads to
Cross Central Tracks
IS Now Sought

Public hearings on tho Now York
Central Riverside Drive project will be
started before the Public Service Com
mission about January 20. with pros
poets shat several civic organizations
will indorse the plan If the railroad
will make four concessions.
The improvements, according TO Off
GERS OF these clubs. are too important
TO the city TO permit them 20 be aban-
dored simply because Ct small differ
onccs on methods. II was said that the
aid of these men would be enlisted
on the side Of the railroad in the
event that the corporation shows a
willingness to accede to public demands
in these minor points.
Four Concessions Sought
The concessions that are expected
10 wipe out most or the present oppo-
sition 10 !he "cut a-d cover" pro.
gramme Of increasing the width Of the
roads right Of way in the city are:
That the new franchise to be issued
oy the city include a clause permitting
other roads to cross over or under
these tracks without payment OF costs
or damages should such additional
franchises become necessary in future.
That the railroad corporation pay for
rehlling the territory excavsted in the
vicinity Of 12sth Street, not provided
for i'm the proposed contract, al an
estimated cost Of sl5O,OcO.
Where the tracks reach 10 the wa
ter's edge ON the Hudson the road be
required to pay for filling in and wall
ing ON the river side.
That the depth Of the soil in the
covered over sections Of Riverside
Park be made suffer entity deep TO admit
of the growth OF trees and foliage.
The chief advantage found by the
club officials, including the City Club.
Citizens Union, Merchants Association
and others that have given entire or
tentative approval 10 the plan. is that
10 will give traffic relief in streets be-
low Fifty-ninth Street, where Che
tracks now are on the street level The
new plan provides for elevstng these
tracks.
In addition, attention is called 10 the
fact that the greatly increased trackage
10 be gained by the New York Central
will make II possible for much Of tn
city's freight TO be carried in by rail
an impossibiiity now.
City Club Heads Reluctant
Officers OF the City Club were reluct-
ant 70 discuss the situation pending the
beginnings Of hearings which. il is ex-
pected will be held here and I'm Albany
before final consideration Of the bill
introduced in the Legislature yesterday
for carrying the problem before the
Public Service Commission. One rep
resentative Of that body indicated that
the organization favored the main feat
ures OF the contract as il now stood
THE reason emphasis is being placed
upon the right Of other roads 70 cross
over or under or OF track levels Of the
New York Central is that the door
should not be closed TO Jersey railroads
that might cross the Hudson at Fifty
ninth Street and, without this privi-
leRe. be blocked from entering the
city" said he.
Meanwhile. the women who make up
the Woman's League to Preserve River
side Park are continuing their cam
paign against the project, favoring the
proposed tunnel under Riverside Drive.
Several meetings are scheduled for the
near future. and literature is being
printed in readiness 20 call upon their
members TO attend the hearings TO be
held this month.