New-York tribune., 1895-12-11

a plan which had been submitted by the BROOKLYN
Heights Railroad to the Terminal Committee III
relation to the Plaza entrance.
Mr. Howell said he had drawn the plan MINI
SELF but the engineers had advised him tnat "
would be too expensive to the city.
do you consider 1t comes within your prov
ince to draw plans for the Bridge?"
Eyes. sir; consider 1t nv duty to do anything
that would help to accommodate the public In
reaching the Bridge"
Mr. Howell said the plan proposed by the
Brooklyn Heights Railroad was now under con-
sderation by the Bridge Trustees
Seth L. Keeney. Bridge trustee the witness
said was director of the Brooklyn Heights
Railroad There was some opposition to the
Rrooklyn Heights plan. One OF the objectors was
the Rev. DR.. Lyman Abbott who wanted hover
garden made out of the Plaza. President Howel
said he had received thirty letters from people
who travelled on the Brooklyn Heights Railroad,
who wished for better Bridge facilities.
''The advantage of the plan is,' said he that
II would land the people close by the Bridge.
what are your reasons for favorlng the Brook
lyn Heights Railroad plan?'
because 1t Is to the interes. Of the people who
como To the Bridge The Brooklyn Heights Rail-
road bring about So 900 people day to the Bridge
I believe in a years time the surface railways
will bring 100000 persons to the Bridge"
You are stockhoider IN 'he brooklyn Heish's
Rairoad?"
Eyes, sir, and am sorry have not more of It,"
"And YOU don't conside: 1t inconsistent to be
Bridge trustee and also stockholder in this cor
cern?"
Certainly not"
THERE ARE OTHERS.
DO you know of any other persons connected
with the Bridge who are also stockholders In the
Brooklyn Heights Railroad?"
Eyes, sir"
Can you give us their names?"
81 don't believe l have the right to tell private
matters here.
He also said that the trustees bought portion
of the ground which is now included in the Plaza
from the railroad, for $4,000. and that this was
the same ground which the railroad wanted again
for their tracks.
"How much is the railroad willing to give for
the use Of the Plaza"
They are willing to pay $1,000 year, but l
am not willing to give it to them for that sum. l
propose that they shall pay per cent OF the cost
il the Elevated Railroad. the Union Elevated
Road and the Sea Beach Road had access to the
Bridge"
Mr.. Howell also said he believed that the APP
proaches to- the Bridge in Brooklyn were dis
grace to the city. He also alluded TO the difficulty
the Bridge trustees experienced from cranks and
crOakers. ~
How do you spell the word 'croaker'?" said
What do you mean. sir?" replied Mr.. Howell,
who apparently did not appreciate the pun.
CHARGE AGAINST BROOKLYN
II want to say" continued Mr.. Howell with en-
phasis. that there are more cranks and croakers
in the city of Brooklyn to the square acre than
there are in the whole civilized world"
Mr. Howell paused a moment as If to see the
effect of his words. ard then said:
Il mean 1t and won't take back one word OF
what said"
Mr. Howell then said that he considered the
present improvement makeshift and that IN fve
or ten years more improvements would be neces,
sary to handle the increase of traffic. He SAID
that the present makeshift Improvements would
cost between sl,750,OOO and s2,ooO.OOo -,
And YOU condemn those Improvements them!
said Committeema Halpin.
Il believe" replied Mr.. Howell. that the
proper way would be to nave made preparations
for all time and to give to New-forK ana br5Dhiyn
grand structural approaches to the Bridge. These
approaches would cost between so,ooO'ooo ana
100000"
In reply to another question Mr. Howell said
he considered Che present improvements as
penny wise and pound foolish
why were not the permanent improvements
made instead Of the makeshift" asked Comn.'-
teeman Halpn.
Well Brooklyn is poor. and didn't want to
increase the tax rate.
In regard to the statement Of Engineer Mar
tin that he hadn't made any report or sugges-
ton to the Trustees concerning the proposed
plan of the Heights company to use the Piazza,
Mr. Howell said that the engineer had nothing
to do with the Plaza and no report on the mat
ter had been called for from him. Before any
permanent plan was adopted report by the
engineer would be called for.
An adjournment was then taken until lO O'CLOCK
to-day. when President Howell will again take
the stand. 1t is expected that Mayor Scheren
will be a witness at to-day's session.
RAPID TRANSIT MEETING.
The Rapid Transit Commissioners had one of
their regular meetings at No. 256 Broadway
yesterday, to talk about engineering matters
and to listen to any objections by citizens to
the places selected for stations in the plans of
the proposed lines. In open session there was
discussion of propositions to change the local
and express station marked for One-hundred-
and forty-seventh-st. on the Broadway and