New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-08
mn rtST PITER BRIDGE BILL.

Several bills relating 10 the construction OF
bridges acrc>s the East River have been brought
70 nublic notice this winter at both W a>hlngtOh
and Albany. One in particular has in it the prom
ise Of meeting the emphatic demand for another
br;doe f. connect New-Yoli and Brooklyn.
IT, is being pushed by Senator McCaren OF
Rroo,lyn who is pledged 10 Use every effort
within his power to secure its enactment. Mr..
McCaren will certainly be ably supported by
the other Brooklyn Senators and by the Assem-
blymen from his own city, and he has strong
nublic sentiment behind him What is wanted
is bridge from the vicinity OF broadway IN
BROOKLYN 10 the vicinity of Grand-Nt III thls
city: and this is what the bill in question Will
strongly tend to provide.
There is no novelty in this measure. 1t Is
substantially a rcStatcment of the Blrkett or Uni
mann bill Of last year. which narrowly falIcd OF
enactment. In word it charters the East kiyer
Bridge Company. which is authorized to bulId
bridge in the ncighboIhOod mentioned subject 10
certain restrictions The company Is to be capital
lied at So 000, 600, and is required to begin us
work within one year and to complete 1t III SIX
wears from the time when the consent Of the Fed
cral authorities thereto is obtained The bill in
reality provides for two bridges. Is did the one OF
last wear also: the second t. extend from point
near the western boundary of the Navy Yard
TO the same terminus in this city As the first
named structure This, however, need not be
comrlctcd until six years after the other is put
in operation and Is We understand /, Is frankly
conceded by the company that lis construction
will depend upon the success OF the first under
taking Hence for all practical purposes this
part of the bill may be left out Of account for the
present
Regarding the Grand-Sr bridge, as it may
pclhap, be termed the company means business
at once The capitalists interested are ready
70 provide the money necessary 50 soon as tho
charter is obtained and there is scarcely room
for doubt tina, work will be actively begun at an
carly day The hearings which have taken place
Prove how unanimously the sentiment OF Brook
lvn favor, the bridge. At the last hearing the
opl0>ition which WIS expected from the New
York and Brooklyn Fcuy Company failed TO
make ITS appearance; in fact that company with
drew all opposition, and no objection now re-
mains in the way of the legislation needed
f. make the proposed bridge possible.
OF the advantages Of such structure
il is needless to speak. Most important OF all
between the two cities, so that no change of cars
will bc required in travelling between New
York and Long Island. The bill Il, it stands,
however. still deserves careful scrutiny.
The TRIBUNE is heartily in favor of another
bridge over the East River, or of aS many rs may
bee needed it is largely "A matter Of Indifference
who shall build them: but it is Of the first
Importance that the rights IF The cities and
Of the people shall be carefully guarded. We
cannot perceive why this bridge corporation
should be exempted from taxation. Its
structure, Will, ul course, hc immensely
,,,tly: hut - were the elevated reads,
and yet they are taxed, precisely As they ought
TO BE-. Moreover, the efforts Of the brooklyn
elevated roads 90 escape the payment OF taxes
will not cause this feature of the present bill to
be regarded with favor. The proposed bridge is
urgently needed The East River Bridge Com
pany stands ready to build it. With the Nc
Carrcn bill amended in certain important par
ticulars. the charter which the company is seek
ing ought to be granted by the Legislature.