New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-11
TWO EAST RTTER BRIDGE BILLS.

There seems AT present 10 he grave danger
that the most promising project for second
bridge over the Last River in the vicinity OF
(;rand-St.. that has ever been laid before the
Legislature may be defeated through the narrow
policy Of the company that controls the four
ferries which connect New-Yorll with the East
crn District Of Brooklyn Three of these ferries
rnn from the foot Of Broadway Brooklyn-one
in a direct line across the river TO Grand
ST.. the second to RooScvclt-st., and the third
to Twenty -third-St. while the fourth ferry con-
meets Grand-S,. on one side Of the river with
Grand.st. on the other. II is plain that the
propoScd bridge will come into direct connect
ton with only ono of these ferries. Ncycrhc-
less. the New-Yorl and Brooklyn Ferry Com
panv. Of which Joseph j. O'DOnohuc is the
president is engaged in making desperate
fight to prevent the granting of charter to the
bridge company organized by the capitalists who
control the Brooklyn-Cnion system of elevated
roads.
Il is evident 10 all Observers that this com
panv means business. II proposes to build n
bridge in order 10 connect the Brooklyn elevated
road, with those in this city. II asks for a
charter because il means &c make use of the
privileges granted it. There is nothing OF the
speculative air about the undertaking, so iar rs
we are able 20 perceive. Heretofore the ferry
company has deemed i, sufficient 70 oppose all
projects for a bridge in this neghborhood IN the
usual way-hy going before legislative COM
nittccS and complaining about the injury 70 It's
business which such schemes threatened. This
timc however l. realizes that the situation is
more serious and 50 IL has organized bHdge
company Of is own AMI applied to the Legs
laturc for charter, seemingly in order 70 hc1d
off the company Of which Mr. hlmann Is the
president. The ferry company comedies that
bridge will sadly damage is business, and yet.
with incomprehcn>ibc disregard of logic ana
of consequences il proposes TO 90 ahead ana
ntiict tina, damage itself. But those statements
mus: not be taken too seriously. We venture
TO doubt that il has any intention OF building
bridge All it aims at Is to prevent any one
else from building one. II Is in fact, playing
"A huge game OF biuii
The two applications for charters are nov
before the Senate Committee on Commerce ana
Navigation. There was hearing last NcdneS-
doy and it is understood that y decision Will be
reached in the course Of the present week. New
York CITY is represented on the committee by
Mr. Stadlcr and Mr. Ahoam; Brooklyn by
NcssrS. Bir,ctt and McCaTcn; the other mem
hers are Senators OCOnnor, Richardson and
Vedder 4 motion made last week IN the alb
scnce OF Mr.. Stadcr to report favoraby the
hill incorpcrating Mr.. UhlmannS company was
unsuccessful. receiving only three votes those
If NcsSrS. Birkctt, McCarren and Richardson.
Mr. Ahearn represents the district in which the
nronoscd bridge will have its terminus and
evidently fears that some OF his constituents
vill he hurt BY il. Mr.. Uhimann however, is
willing TO have the bill altered, so that the
terminus in this city shall be located by the
ponid-TrlnSit Commission, whose decision ought
"a lac satisfactory to ali concerned. MIR. Stadler
sboud be able to perceive that it is to New
York City's interest to multiply connections with
LING Island. if for no other reason, as an offset
n the immigration to Ncw-Jcrsey that would
follow the completion of the bridge which may
no but some day across the North River.
There is no doubt whatever that a bridge in
tho uciphborhood of Grand-st. is needed. IL is
ooually clear that the right to build it ought to
no oivcn to Il corporation which is not only able
,o build it, but which is resOutcy determined
to build il. We believe that Mr.. lhlmannS
comrany is thoroughly in earnest, and that IN
ma long time after it secures charter work
an the projected bridge will be under way. As
for the ferry company's impromptu organiza-
lion. it is merely pursuing dog-in-the mange'
policy.