Jan. 14, 1954
* A Page 1 article entitled “Waterfront Clean Up GVA Topic” reported that attorney Lawrence E. Walsh, executive director and general counsel of the newly formed Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, was to speak to the Greenwich Village Association about the effort to reform the waterfront. Under Walsh, the Commission had worked to abolish the old “shape-up” system and replace it with state-controlled hiring halls, where longshoremen would register for work, “instead of appearing each morning and waiting for the blow of the familiar whistle.” “Many of the most important piers are located in Greenwich Village,” the article noted, “stretching along the Hudson River, including the Chelsea District. Hundreds of Greenwich Villagers are employed in various capacities on these piers. Many Village industries are dependent upon the piers, directly and indirectly.”
* A front-page article entitled “Moses Plan Opposed By Local Board” reported that strong opposition was voiced against a plan by Robert Moses for large-scale redevelopment and housing projects in the area south of Washington Sq. at “a well attended and stormy session” of the Borough President’s Greenwich Village Advisory Planning Board. The Washington Sq. Southeast Plan involved the area from and including Washington Sq. S. to Houston St. and from Mercer St. to W. Broadway. The board called on Borough President Hulan Jack to convey to City Planning the community’s opposition to construction of new “housing with aid of public funds to rent at $48 a room, which is much too high and does not meet community needs.” Also, the board stressed the value and importance of the industrial facilities and employment in the area.
