New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-23
THE NEW BRIDGE SCHEME.
CHAUNCEY NJ. DEPEW SAYS 1T is M
PRACTICABLE TO SPAN THE
NORTH RIVER.
HE THINKS THAT THE BENEFITS TO BE
DERIVED FROM 1T WOULD NOT BE SUI
FIc1ENr TO WARRANT TIE EXPENDI-
TURE WHICH ITS CONSTRUCTION
WOULD REQUIRE.

WOULD REQUIRE
The latest North River Bridge scheme, contom-
plated in the bill introduced the other evening IN
the Legislature at Albany by Assemblyman Judson
Lawson whereby it is proposed TO link New-fork
and New-Jersey together by strands of steel wire
suspended in the air between massive towers OF
masonry on either side OF the great waterway. has
failed to impress the community profoundly the
real paternity OF this latest bill cannot be traced
NEWCOMERS always proud OF anything worthy
of pride connected witt their city. There are some
no doubt who would be pleased 10 see mighty
span stretching from the New-York to the Jersey
shore outrivaling that suspended over the Fast
River to Brooklyn The bill in question provides
for a Capitalization OF n company at $10O0o,V0 No
one sipposes that a railroad bridge Of the dlmen-
sons and architectural and structural quality sug-
gested can be built for double that sum Of money
1t Is generally conceded that bridge for some such
uses as those to with the East River Bridge Is
devoted will day be swung between New YORK
and New-Jcrscy; but there few who believe In
the practlcabilty Of bringing the railway trains OF
the great lines centring in Jersey City across the
river to a common depot or distributing point on
Manhattan Island
Inquiry as TO the sources Of financial support e*-
pected to be forthcoming for the Advancement OF
the enterprise fails to elicit anything except ndit-
ference TO the measure. The transportation busi-
ness OF all the great lines Is conducted so efficiently
and Systematically under present conditions that. IN
the iudgme Mt Of many there does not appear 10 De
any real need OF a of the kind proposed If
1t is to be placed so far northward IA Fort Lee on
the Jersey shore. 1t would be unavailable. 1t Is
said for the distribution Of traffic between railroad
ter.nlni in Jersey City and New-York. while Tor
connection with territory the PouShkeepsie
bridge Will serve every purpose for many years 10
come.
TALKED ABOUT FOR TEN YEARS
Chauncey NJ Depew asked yesterday for his
opinion the subject, and he presented some IN
teresting statistics bearing on the situation. which
would seem indicate that tee time has not yet
arrived for the construction OF Il railway bridge
over the Hudson at this point Mr.. Depew was re-
cues.sd some time ago by the Chamber or Com
rlerce to give some figures relating to the West
Shore road. Mr.. Depew bases his calculations On
these figures. This Is what he said to a Tribune
reporter:
Tho question OF n bridge the Hudson River
from somc point in New-Jersey 10 some point
IN Ncw-Yor city has been the subject OF legislation
ard speculative literature for ten years past Inc
Nev-York Legislature has egislated on the subject
in favor Of a bridge. and it seems. is now asked to
grant a charter for another. Congress also passed
q hill which was vetoed by the President. the New
York Central Is generally used by the promoters as
The bugaboo = scare the bill through. the argument
rod which runs into the city Of New-York. 1t views
with an evcr-abl,ng and constantly increasing iea
Tcr,9y Cty over a bridse into It's favorte terminal
territory It Is argued that It would be greatly FOR
the interest of the public to defeat this selfish polly
and have all roads terminate within the cry limits.
~ matter OF fact the 1y ar p ms
rec,ly to the bridge bills. either at Albany or at
WASHINGTON, We have divided Interest because aus.
hawken would share in the benefits of the bridge.
II the bridge had any benefits to divide.
ESTIMATES AS TO PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT
But" added Mr.. Depcw, I'VE have always be-
ueyed the scheme to be impractcabe. not that from
,t,1 hid o.ffl1 q
constructed but because the cost OF the bridge the
approaches AMI the land necessary for terminal
yards and stations would be 80 great that the ii-
erest upon the capitalization the taxes ana man
tcnance would make a greater annual cost IMAM the
roads concentrating at Jersey City could AFFORD 10
pay for the use of the bridge ,o...oo, % 90 ooo
The bridge promoters estimate between spv''VVV
and l"DO00so passengers. and from l5oWo"1 20
ga bttw On New-York City ard the different points
the actual traffic between New-York and Jersey
city J have at hand the figures showing the
amount Of business done by the other Ines. 1us
forming my opinion as to the total number OF pas
sengers and tons OF freight. For the fiscal year
G INK bstw WEN, Newrork and New-Jersey over the
West shore ferries was 1905 The number OF
at Jersey city whose traffic could be considered
in this connection would be the pennsyvanla Ing
the roads coming in over their tracks. 1t Is hardly
possible that their tgurss cTrd De s, 81 remfn OuT
the estimated amount of freight or number OF pas
Each OF these lines mas very extensive
and expensive terminals on the Jersey shore and
also piers warehouses and ferry slips on the New
York side They would not use t1e orid lS u u, s
their present facilities.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY.
Now. first to passengers" said Mr.. Depew
Each of these reads has uptown ard downtown
ferries Could they their cars up along the
Jersey shore to this bridge. across i. and down on
the New York side to the proposed depot AZ Seven
l. Distribute he by e'Cyatel
roads to their destination downtown rs quickly as
pre,en ferry landings? They could their
commutation rates. and me commuters FORM the
gsr over the bridge together with the fare down
town. would have TO b, less than 1t costs now; say,
sylvaHa depot a; Jersey city to the Cortland;-st
"Now az to freight" said Mr.. Depew. this
Is delivered by floats at an aston!shngly cheap
cost per ton from the jersey Cty termi-
the North River front and to a dozen points around
S n9rG 2 for the 6e isaF from
the freight terminals in New-York CITY to the
trucks would be .prohIbltory, and no other process
Is at present IN sight But the great question with
consignees and warehouses cheaply. after paying
the bridge toll. as 1t can now BY its foats?
RAILROADS NOT ANXIOUS FOR A BRIDGE.
Referring to the mention of the name Of the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company in connection with the
new movement for the construction OF a bridge Mr..
two there comes a statement that the Pennsylvania
road Is deeply interested in some scheme OF this
kind or that the Lacklwanna or the New-Jersey
Central are determined to built a bridge themselves.
The managers Of all these roads have repeatedly
said to me within the last year that they did not
think 1t would be possible for them. on any toll
which the bridge could afford TO charge TO transfer
their business from their present termin ferries
and floats the bridge. nor did they see that II
would be of any use or benefit them IL built.
Now" added Mr.. Depew. lit will probably be
that instead OF being a statement. It Is really
ctiticism but The Tribune. having asked ior my
THE PENNSYLVANIA NOT INTERESTED.
Philadelphia, March 22.-The published statement
that the Pennsylvan MIA Railroad Company was inter-
estei In the latest North River Bridge project 10
unite New-Jersey and New-York City Is oificialiy
denied The Pennsylvania Railroad Company Is
not interested In the scheme" said President foo-
erts's assistant Captain William A. Hatton. To-
day. when the Pennsylvania enters New-forh