MTA Denies Possibi ity Of Land Sale, Extension

The Metropolitan Transit. Authority is not presently considering disposal of its Boylston St. caryards or extension of its Cambridge subway, Anthony D. Pompeo,, chairman of the MTA trustees, told the City Council yesterday.

Questioned about what Harvard called a "firm offer" for the 131/2 acre site, Pompeo replied, "Whether it's an offer is not something on which I'd care to comment." Later he told Councillor Alfred E. Vellucci, "If you call it an offer, I don't."

Any discussion of possible future extension or disposal of the property would be "speculation," he continued. Adding that he thought the Harvard "offer" was prompted by a study made several years ago, recommending a $40 million subway extension to the Fresh Pond Area, Pompeo stated that any question of expansion would have to be determined by the State Legislature.

Importance of Yards Doubted

Several councillors questioned the importance of the yards, particularly the repair facilities. Councillor Joseph A. DeGuglielmo '29, said he thought that "less than ten" employees now worked in the shops, and asserted that it was "a little selfish on the part of the MTA" to retain the extensive facilities when the propety might be put to more productive use.

Pompeo said he was "not aware" of the Cambridge Trust Company's application for a branch bank on the property if it were opened for private development.

Asked about the University's direct negotiations with the Authority, Pompeo said that once previously, in October, 1957, Harvard had met with the Trustees to consider the purchase of air rights over the yards, and had had engineering studies made of the possibility of suspended construction. Between then and the time of the recent letter, Pompeo said, he had no discussions with Harvard about the subject.