New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-03
OPPOSING THE BROADU1Y TUNNEL.
O. b. POTTER WOULD SELL OUT AT HALE PRICE
If IT WERE BEGUN, HE SAYS.

II 1T WE'RE BEGUN, HE SAYS.
The inquiry Into the advlsabllity Of constructing
the proposed rapid transit railway was continued yes
terday at No. 90 Wnamst. by the supreme Court
Commission stephen p. Nash, Prescott Hall Butler,
Henry H. Man and Orlando Il. Potter presented argl-
mcnts against the railway, with especial reference
TO the tunnel under broadway. Mr. Butler and Mr..
Man CHILLED attention to the position Of the sewers
under Broadway. Mr.. Butler did not think II would
be- possible. as had been suggested, 10 run sewer
along Canalst., In case the tunnel should be built
under Broadway. lie asked and received permission
to submit expert testimony on the suggeStlo
Mr. Man said that the construction Of the road
would make IL necessary TO remove the sewers under
the main thoroughfare. The value Of property for
half n mile around woud be damaged I'm consequence
Ilo did not believe that the plans OF the RAPID I7lslt
Comml. regarding the sewers nd been explained
srnicentlv The question was serious and OF vital
UHcret fo pOperty-owners. jlhe people should
know exactly what alterations were TO be made
Mr. Nash. representing Trinity Church corporation
next addressed the Commission. lie opposed also
the construction Of the tunnel. lie said thar should
the contractors who secure the franchise fail to com
plcta their work broadway would be ruined. There
was no provision In the act for the completion oil The
road There should be- some provision authorizing
the cy to finish the work In case Of failure on Inc
part Of the contractors. or To resell the franchise
Neither WAS Their. sufficient provision for the procc
not believe according TO the act that contractors
securing the road could be held respon blo for dam
ages TO anittlng property I'm they exercised due
care John VI. lowers counsel for the COnm >sion
answered however that appeals could be made to the
courts, IA had done where the elevated roads III
jured property. A.,
potier . lie said among other things. that W. IS
Parsons one Of the engineers OF the Commission h'n
even expressed doubt as to the possibility of bnu'ns
a tunnel under broadway. Experts. 1t was true hau
said that such tunnel was possible. but the tesu
mony II experts was often untruHtwoithy' Inc 'uh
mel he added would be built from the surface ana the
To-, in rents during the construction to property
o,,pers vi, incal,uable. All the buildings would
b,v. Ia he shorcd No Inventions or Improvements
cond make underground travel hentifil' Inc ohN
~ STEM II rapid transit TO be used IN this city was the
elevated road system, system truly hme1'ah' III
vented IN America.
The. solution Of the question lay In the extension OF
the present or II similar system. In forcing any o'er
svs,cm upon the citizens Of New York the Commits
sioner, would bring an Unreasonable responsibility
upnn themselves The elevated roads Increased me
value Of adjoining property. The tunnel system u""o
broadway would destroy millions OF dollars oi prop
erv and make desert ~ the finest street III IN" Guy
lie EXPIRE, ,cd the belief that nine tenths Of the prop
eriy. holders along the Boulevnri would welcome an
elevated road along that thoroushfarc lie believed
that the same thing could IT, -nd Of the owners of
property IN other parts Of the city. The speaker
owned 300 feet frontage along >iNthnve., ana large
frontage along the Bonlevard ard he would gladly give
nj. permission To build an elevated road there.
But he added. II yOn gentlemen decide 10 carry
ont this destructive scheme should prefer To seii my
property at half It, present value f7irr IMAM attempt
To ct decentralization from some contractor VINO nap
pens 10 purchase the franchise .
At this point some one present asked VT. iOttcr II
he wa, willing reduce this 0ncr ot I'll" sale of ms
nru,rtv ON IN. terms mentioned to writing. lie
nm ~ cred that he ready 10 rduc" 10 wf1tlng
ANYTHING shat lie said before the Commission. lie
H,,nd Thai the Commissioner, would not make the
mistake Of approving the proposed system.
Another meeting OF the Clmil, l0h VIII be hcid NJ
10 O'Clock Oday.