Year: 1879

moro Of task than you would imagine. In some
cases the boundaries were very insuficiently de-
fined and we have much trouble in getting ut the
real lines and sometimes the real owners. When
that was done had TO call personally upon each
owner and hnd out Just what he would do in the
matter always remembering that could pay moth
ing. We are now engaged in this work, and as soon
it is completed we will apply to the Supreme
Court for the appointment of the commission


..How long would it take for the commission to
complete ats labors?'


III we get good commissioners, two or three
months will suhice--say four at the furthest."


'.Then the present status of the affair depends
upon the right OF wayY'


paying anything for 1t. II the Commissioners
should find that the benefits do not offset the dam
ages and money is needed to acquire the right OF way
the matter drops ut once. so far as am concerned.
Such is the law" I..i.n'


when wlll your Office be ready to apply for the


.sThe legal formaities require much time and We
have had great trouble In fixing boundaries. but will
be ready by september to make the petition"


"Supposing some citizens to purchase the
land and present it to the government. would it be
acceptedy


IL have no doubt it would be-"


SOME TIMELY SUGGESTIONS.


The reporter nfterward conversed with we'll
known engineer who is more less familiar with
the United States river and harbor imt rovements
about New York. Among other things he said:-


You see there has been very peculiar inertia
and in some instances positive antipatlfy toward
the improvement OF the Harlem and East rivers.


ssBy whom is this opposition shownY'


swell. principally by the railroads and some down.



the East River ana ship canal from it to the Hud.
son through the Harlem means much more to the
commercial world than most people have any idea Of
The OF great warehouses along the line
of the improvement is certain, and the carrying OF
grain and produce in Bulk must Of necessity be
enormous. There never was an Improvement in New
York, made by the United States government, that
did not experience opposition, and 1t is q
great wonder to that the gentlemen OF the Corps
Of Engineers do not lose all patience. When the
work at He'll Gate was commenced there was silent
but determined opposition the part Of some,
which. added to the apathy and inertia of others,
made rather dsagreeable for those engaged in the
work. Now it is the same with this harlem i'm
provement. Everybody who knows anything about
such matters knows that such canal will be of in
estimable value to New York. and yet there appears
to be very little interest the matter outside OF
narrow CIRCLE.


'sBut the matter is now under way"


EYES, but the government can't get the right OF
way for nothing. and the law prevents the payment
Of any money for it,


''How about the commission to condemn


'Wol, that is all right if the right kind OF men are
appointed-men Of standing and wealth; but II some
OF these professional commissioners appointed
they may at their discretion extend the arrangement
for two three years. to exc out their salaries
OF course. rs ! understand the matter, the United
States engineers can do nothing until the commits
sion has reported. and in my opinion the whole
matter now depends upon the appointment of
proper commission"