There has been much criticism in the House of Commons
and out of it of Lord Salisbury's action in regard to the Metropolitan Streets Bill. A new street running from Charing Cross to Tot- tenham Court Road is much wanted for the present traffic, which is far too great for St, Martin's Lane, and the Metropolitan Board of Works proposed to make it. The Board wished to do what is now often done in carrying out improvement in their jurisdiction or the City,--in Victoria Street, for example, They wished to buynot only the land actually required for the roadway, but strips on each side, so as partially to recoup themselves and prevent the land- owner being paid twice over. It is the usual- practice of the Board to secure this advantage. In fact, apart from special legislation, it is the right of a corporation empowered to take land for streets to appropriate the frontage also. The House of Lords' Committee inserted a clause preventing this, the Metropolitan Board of Works have dropped the project of the new street, and the public will have it that the clause is too like a job to protect Lord Salisbury's property. He has probably only the life-interest.
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