New-York tribune., 1896-03-31
SURFACE LINES OBJECT
THEY WANT THE SAME BRIDGE PRIV
ILEGES AS ELEVATED ROADS.
IT Is THOUGHT THAT THE RIGHT OF TRANSIT
WILL BE SECURED ONLY AFTER SHARP
sKIRMIsH-THE PROPOSITION IT is
DECLARED. WOULD BENEFIT THE
CITY VASTLY OPINIONS

ON THE PROJECT.
decided impression was ma de manifest in
brooklyn yesterday that the surface railroads
will exert every endeavor to counteract the
proposition of the Union and Kings County Ele-
waited Railroad companies to run cars across
the Bridge by offer which, II it will not
secure to them exclusive privileges OF the same
character will at least enable them 10 share
this right Of transit In common with their con-
temporaries. Patrick H. Flynn president of the
Nassau Electric Railroad Company said that he
was In favor of letting the elevated railroads
operate across the Bridge In case a like privilege
was extended to the trolley lines. President Ros-
siter Of the Brooklyn Heights Company. had just
returned to Brooklyn after weeks absence, ana
was not prepared to discuss the subject to any
extent He did express the opinion. however
that II the offer of the elevated railroads was
meant to convey the idea that they desired or
hoped to get entire control OF the Bridge collect
tolls and manage it as private enterprise. the
thing was as absurd attempt TO buy up
Fulton-st. broadway would be.
The belief OF those well Informed upon the
situation is that 1t is likely that the privilege
sought for will not be secured by any corpora
ton without the sharpest kind Of a skirmish
The surface railroad cOmpa MES Of the city, 1t Is
said will at the next meeting OF the Bridge
trustees present offers to lease the Bridge rail-
road or to obtain the privilege OF running cars
over the structure Another story In circulation
is that since he learned Of the intentions or
the elevated railroads Ex-Governor Flower, who
was one of the foremost in the recent reorganiza-
ton of the Long Island Traction Company, and
who represents a controlling interest IN the
Brooklyn Heights Railroad has been negotiat-
ing with representatives Of the metropolitan
Traction Company of New-York for the purpose
OF arranging connections and regular system
OF transfers. in case the Heights corporation
secured permission 10 operate cars across the
Bridge The surface railroad companies, 1t Is
asserted will contend that they can provide
broader system of transfers, more cars and
furnish more conveniences to the public than
lie within the power of the elevated railroads
to do.
When President Frederick Uhlmann was seen
by a Tribune reporter yesterday he said: we
DO not expect TO make money out OF this thing lot
many years In fact we will probably lose by II
at first but In the end We expect TO be repaid
Primarily. the idea is 10 take passenger on the
elevated railroad from this city TO Newly orK
without the necessity Of his changing cars This
would unquestionably open up the resldehuai
nortions of Brooklyn and by doing this our pas
senger traffic will naturally be increased This
city has not grown in three years. fact which
sources.
so far as our putting UP stiff fight in the in
terest of the scheme concerned, nothing OF the
kind is likely 10 follow. If the people OF BROOK
lyn do not want 10 save money and time why
we will let things remain as they are
President Howell. OF the Bridge trustees when
seen declared that he favored any plan that
proposed to benefit the travelling public. ~
il is possible TO land both surface ana elevated
railroad passengers in New-York with greater
facilities than is enjoyed al present ne sara,
Will willingly support any reasonable scheHe
having that for its object II seems 70 me-
however that the surface railroad passengers OF
Brooklyn should be considered as well as those OF
the elevated roads.
$50 far as this particular scheme is con-
cerned 1t is a question for practical engineer
10 decide: not for a man with no greater techni-
cal knowledge Of such things than possess.
The question Of elevated trains crossing the
bridge is not a new proposition has
been made 10 build tracks over the present
Bridge tracks. while another was that tracks
should be constructed above the present road-
wav Either of these plans II carried out "ouia'
according to our engineers, reduce the margin
OF safety Of six to one TO two and hali ana
IF II is possible for both the surface and
elevated roads to land passengers in New-forK.
II would unquestionably prove Of great beneht
and would tend TO build up the city But the
Bridge cannot accommodate all the roads. and
therefore the companies which can best seTVe
the public and which are willing L. pay the ci'y
the most for the right Of transit should be per
mitted to run across the Bridge The trustees
will take no action the question as it does
not come within their jurisdiction II Is so"e-
thing for the Legislature = decide .
General Jourdan when seen. saId that the
scheme should meet with favor al Ine nance ~ b oa
interest Of the people Its advantage 70 the
railroad company is problematical. he contin.
ued but II Is 10 be considered by the vast
hulk of the public in a broader sense. In my
opinion. 1t furnishes the only feasible means OF
stopping the exodus to New-Jersey, and II would
bring thousands Of newcomers TO Brooklyn.