Year: 1876

BRIDGES OVER THE HARLEM RIVER.


The Board of Estimate and Apportionment met in
the Mayors Office at quarter past two O'Clock yester-
day afternoon, Mayor Wickham in the chair.


Several small transfers the appropriations for the
Department of Public Works authorized.
transfer $500 from the appropriation for the Depart
ment of Taxes for 1875 to the appropriation for
this year made.


The Mayor said the question of issuing bonds build
bridges the Harlem River had been before the
Board for some time, and he desired that some final
action should be taken the question. He called up
the resolution $1O00 900 of bonds to build the
proposed bridge over the Harlem River, between
Fourth and Fifth avenues


Mr. John ]. Crane, President of the Bank of the Re-
public spoke strongly in favor OF better facilities for
getting across the Harlem River and that the bridge
near Fifth avenue should be built at once.


Park Commissioner stebbns said matter what
amount of money the Board might appropriate to-day
1t could only be used to make examinations and pre-
limnarics the erection OF the proposed three
bridges over the Harlem River, and he of
appropriation enable the Park Commissioners to
make these prolimnaries The general government is
dong much improve navigation in this locality and
the officials OF the general government should be con-
suited before bridges were placed over tho river.


Mr.. Lewis q. Morris SAID he was fully aware OF tho
importance and necessity of better facilities for conf
munication across the Harlem River, but he was OPP
posed to placing low bridges over the river, which



would interfere with river commerce. especially in
view of the improvements being made and IN
temptation by the genesal government He was IN
favor, however Of some temporary structure across
the river.


The Comptroller said the question one of great
magnitude and that IL should be fully, carefully and
deliberately considered. What they wanted to do here
was the inception OF what might cost the city
$40 0O0 900 $50, 900 000 He thought they should
know what to be done before starting out 10
do it. Before any money appropriated or action
taken in this matter and soundings should be
made plans decided which have not been done.
Commercially speaking, the Harlem River, winch con-
tance which people have but lately commenced TO
understand; and anything in connection with this
stream-improving its navigation or building bridges
twas not only city question but state and
/ even national The commerce of the North River
reached away back to and affected the products OF tho
Western States and the Eastern States are equally
interested In II being the link between the North
River and the Sound, by which twenty-five miles of
very tedious and difficult navigation can be saved.
! II bridges to be built across it-and he was
in favor OF land communication across 1t as an abso
Lutte and growing necessity let them be such as Will
not interfere with the amount of river commerce
which very distant time to occupy that
stream. The magnitude and importance oil this Ques
tion demanded the most careful and thorough consd
eraton and before any Abrdge was built across this
river by the city should be known what the national
! and State governments would do He opposed to
| spending any money the building of the proposed
bridges al present


! The amount named In the resolution reduced
from 100000 TO $40 900, which for the Park
! Department to have soundngs, surveys, &C., made
The resolution bonds TO tho amount OF $40 900
was adopted the Comptroller alone voting in the mega
| tive.