Year: 1873

Extending tho City Limits and Open


Ing tho Harlem River for Naviga-


tion.


Two questions of great Importance, con-
nected with the interests and future of New
York, are now looming up. These are relative
to the annexation of Westchester county, or
part of it, to this city, and the widening Of the
Harlem River and Spuyten Duyvil Creek for
navigation. The former is now pending be-
fore the Legislature and has called forth
public meetings and petitions favorable to the
proposition, as well as some opposition from
few shortsighted and interested individuals.
The latter is engaging the attention of the
Chamber of Commerce. Both projects will
soon become necessary, if they be not already,
and have close connection with each other.


The parts Of Westchester county bordering
the Harlem and East Rivers, and for miles
into the interior, contain q large and rapidly
increasing population, population which, in
fact, is metropolitan and inseparably united
in business and interest with the city Of New
York. Miles Of street railroads extend from
Harlem Bridge and cars run continuously in
connection with the city railroads. There are
all the elements Of great city on that side Of
the river. a stream Of nrssople ebbs and flows
there as along some of our principal thorough
fares. On Sundays especially the vast crowds
crossing the Harlem Bridge and moving along
the streets on the Westchester side give one
the impression of being in the heart Of great
city. Why, then. should not this population
be citizens of New York; Why should they
not share the burdens, as they have the advan-
tages, Of the city2 The people Of Westchester
for the most part are in favor of annexation
because they know their property would be
enhanced in value and their business i'm
proved, and that these considerations out
taxation, even should their taxes be increased.
Then, with rapid transit, which must come
soon by one plan or another, many thou
sands of the working classes and people in
moderate circumstances will seek homes in
Westchester. Annexation, therefore, is
matter of public interest and necessity, and
cannot have associated with it any job.


The other project, to open the Harlem River
for navigation, has been under the considera-
ton of Committee of the Chamber of Com
merce. It has, however, been seriously con-
sidered for some time past by spectators, for
selfish purposes, and notably by members of
the late Tammany Ring and their friends. The
report just made to the Chamber Of Commerce
shows that the gentlemen having the matter
in charge understand the Importance of it.
They are not ready to give their views lully
upon the subject, and ask for more time, but
they properly recommend that the Legislature
shall repeal oil acts in favor of the Tammany
Ring or others which make the opening of
the Harlem River job or private enterprise.
This great work is almost national in its char
acter, if understood and carried out right and
should be undertaken by the federal govern
ment, the State or the city. If
deep and broad ship canal from the
East to the North River were made more COM
merce would pass through it, probably, than
through any canal in the world. And if there
should be capacious docks in connection with
it, as there ought to be, q vast saving would
be made in the shipment and transshipment
of produce and goods, and q revolution be
effected in the business Of the city. If this
were accomplished, and the railroad system,
the State canals and river trade were concen-
trated at that point, the cost of shipping
and transferring produce and merchandise
would be greatly reduced and would do more
to advance the commercial interests Of New
York than anything else. We hope the Cham
Der of Commerce will urge this matter and
that the Legislature will act upon it in
broad and liberal spirit.