Year: 1875

OPPOSITION VIEWS ON THE ELEVATED RAILROAD


PRoJECT-THE oTHER SIDE OF THE ouEs-


TIoN.


Yesterday forenoon another conferences was
held between the Common Council Committee ana
the directors OF the Silent Safety Elevated Railroad
Company. The meeting was to entertain the
application OF the corporation named for permis-
sion 70 change the route from Sands street and
Park avenue to Pearl street and Myrtle avenue.
from the commencement Of the East River Bridge
Property owners were present to demonstrate
against the proposed line OF the rapid transit
road. The citizens opposed 10 the innovation are
for the chief part storekeepers on Myrtle avenue
Alderman Fisher presided. AID there were pres
ent OF the committee also Aldermen Dwyer
and Vaughan. In behalf Of the opponents
OF the change OF route, General Philip
S, Crooke appeared and argued that the
street, and that any personal Occupation OF a
street for private purposes was pUbic nuisance.
An elevated road was not to be tolerated. As a
lawyer he considered II was q nuisance to plant
anything on highway 30 as to obstruct puoho
travel such road as the one contemplated
should and would be fought as public nuisance.
The steam which was 70 De used could not ail TO
drive business away from the street. 1t was not
IN the power either OF the Legislature or OF the
Commoa Council to take property without due
process Of law. The mere setting or the posts IN
tue ground was an infringement on the property
OF the sde owners. Sn0uld such al institution be
introduced IN the little country town or Flatbush,
where he resides, the counsel SAID, he would feel
warranted IN blowing the railroad up with keg or


Ex-Mayor Samuel Booth said he did not desire
to see the business OF Myrtle avenue ruined, but
be would like little more time TO investigate the
subject before ne could give full expression TO his
views. In the meantime he noped that tue Com-
mon Council would delay action IN the premises
for the present.


gentleman who owns two buildings on the
avenue named SAID tnat II this road was 10 Oe
built ne would sell his property there for S. 900
less than he corld get Tor 1t now. Business would
be rulued.


Ex-Commisstoner OF Charities Prank kirby could
not see why the old owners on that avenue should
be ruined ior che benent OF persons wlo are living
at the other end OF the city, who might own som5
lots, ana In whose interest this scneme was got
ten up.


Another property holder said he was not op-
posed to elevated railways II placed IN SIDE and
non-Dusness streets, but he and his business
friends were totally opposed to having such con-
81 livance on Myrtle avenue.


on benalf OF the Elevated Railroad Company,
the President, Mr.. John Burtts said he JAILED to
see tue force OF the theory that the road should be
run through streets occupied by poor people in
preference 10 thorough ares where people are bet
ter OIL The question was whether Brooklyn
should have rapid transit or not. Some OF the
largest property owners were in favor OF tho
project


the largest property holders on Myrtle avenue, he
would rather give $1,000 than not have tue Ele-
vated Railroad constructed there.


Mr.. BurJis was confident tnat If this road was
built Its benefits would be so clearly established
that other and similar lines would De constructed
TO penetrate Long Island In different directions.
Business would increase so rapidly on Myrtle ave-
nue. Inat 1t you'd early become the Broadway of
Brooklyn. There would De no tracks TO ruin ve-
ncles, and nothing TO Jeopardize lie ana nmD.
lie showed now ofher towns by permitting rail-
roads TO run through them had attracted millions
OF wealth from Brooklyn. lie said 1t was year
ago last May since tue cnarter to build this read
passed the Legislature. and the people were
anxious tnat IL should be constructed. Iron Is
now very low, the contractors are ready, and there
are many unemployed men who would be glad TO
go 20 work. 80 tnat the present time was most
favorable to commence. He said, in Conclusion
that he expected to shake hands some day with
every man in Brooklyn Tor this Improvement


An adjournment oil the committee was had till
"Wednesday evening next