New-York tribune., 1919-09-27
Upper 5th Ave.
WantsBuildings
Only, 75Ft.Higgh g
Residents Petition Board of
Estimate to Reduce Re-
stricted Height That Is
Now Limited to $50 Feet
Bourke Cochran Opposes
Says New York's Street Is
Finest i'm Western Hemi-
sphere; Buses Discussed

Residents of upper Fifth Avenue
were given bearing before the Board
of Estimate yesterday on plan to re-
strict future buildings in ttat section
to a height of rs feet. Controller
Craig entered protest against any
change in the present restriction. which
limits the height to $50 feet. The
board delayed its decision for two
| weeks
Philip j. Britt counsel for tho
Fifth Avenue Protective Association,
explained that the proposal was to re-
strict building heights in Fifth Ave
nue. from Sixtieth Street to 10th
Street, and in all cross streets 100 feet
east of the avenue. He said that so
per cent of the property owners on
the avenue and 60 per cent Of the prop
erty owners in the cross streets had
signed the petition.
Fifth Avenue is a national thorough
fare, the most beautiful street in the
Western Hemisphere" said Mr.. Britt.
ut should be maintained as a residen-
tai street"
Controller Craig declared the peti-
ton asked the present board to nullfv
the work of the Zone System Com
mission, which had made an cxhaus-
tive study of the subject, and which
three years ago had had the present
tldn ADOPTED.
". Bourkc Cochran appeared as
counsel for those who opposed fur
thcr restriction. He said the "last.
Board of Estimate was of the elite.
while the present one is of the elect
Of the people"
"If there is any place on this con-
tinent where high buildings should be
constructed, it is on Fifth Avenue"
said Mr.. Cochran, who delvoI into a
history Of architecture from the Greeks
to modern times, and then declared
that New York has arrived at the "com
mcrcal style"
Referring to methods Of restriction,
the Mayor asked: What is .he cheap
est way to do it ?"
Restriction by the city, of course"
replied Mr.. Cochran. "That is Just
what they are trying to do" He added
that the erection of tall buildings
would enhance the value of the
property
The real estate board sent d COM
munication, saying the proposed
change should not apply to the block
between Sixty and Sixty-hrst streets
The communication said it was the
consensus of opinion of its members
that from the point Of general good
the 75-foot height limitation might be
desira ble.'
The session of the board was the
first since the summer vacation. a
calendar with 331 subjects faced the
members.
Some Of the work done was:
Fixed Tuesday, October a. and
Wednesday, October II, at io:30
a. H., for public hearings on the
tentative budget for 1920.
Fixed Wednesday, October 20, and
Thursday, October 23, for public
hearings on the budget as proposed.
Referred # ;s It to the committee on
proposed to build and operate a belt
line railroad around Manhattan.
Revoked the permit granted to
Louis Riedl to operate downtown
bus lines and extended for ten days,
pending a further decision, the time
for operating the four bus lines
instituted by Grover "A. Whalen,
Commissioner Of Plants and Struct-
ures.
Referred to the same committee
many applications for franchises to
operate bus lines in the different
boroughs.
Received from the Downtown
League recommendation that the
pay of policemen be increased to
$1,000 year and that the pay of
street sweepers be increased
Henry c. Atwood appeared to ask
why a borough hall was not provided
for Queens.
"If you will give me the rent now
being paid for buildings over there in
Jamaica, I'll build borough hall and
give it to you," said Mr.. Atwood.
THAT sounds Interestingly said the
Mayor. "Why don't you put that up
to Borough President Connolly?"
"Whats the matter with making
Manhattan a state with ycu as gov
ernor. Mr. Mayor?" said Mr.. Atwood
DO that, and we can get our borough
hall"