New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-28
THE EAST RTVEh TUNNEL.

New Workers are In no mood To complain be-
cause there are prospects Of rapid transit In more
than one direction. The more the better, can
not fall TO be the universal sentiment The re-
cent report Of the special court commission on
the underground plan puts that plan in a most
favorable light before the community and the
Appellate Division. and encourages the hope
that the last obstacle TO project that has com
manded long and serious thought on the part
OF some Of our leading citizens is on the point
OF being removed Not remotely allied there
with. although totally distinct Is the scheme for
a tunnel under the East River through which
a railway Will be operated in connection with
the Long Island Railroad. The plans have been
completed: the money 10 build the tunnel is
ready: there are no engineering difficulties in
the way: all that IL now necessary is the con-
sent OF the public authorities OF the two cities.
Applications have been made by the tunnel com.
pany TO the Boards of Aldermen in Ncw-York
and Brooklyn for permission to construct the
tunnel, and the case has already been presented
to a committee on the other side Of the river.
In this city the hearing is to take place on
Monday.
The tunnel Is To be built In the same manner
as the deep tunnels In London, and will be so
projectors, the work will not interfere with
sewers and water-ppes or with buildings on
the surface There Is no reasonable objection,
therefore, to It's construction. and no reason Is
apparent why the permission asked OF the au-
thorlties should not be promptly granted. So
far as can be judged, the tunnel company is
acting In good faith. Its work is to be carried
on in connection with the removal Of the rail
lie thp surfa ~
In Brooklyn, and fast trains are to be run by
electricity through the tunnel and under At
lantic-aye, bringing the outer districts Of Brook
lyn and a part Of the Borough OF Queens near
in time to the lower part Of this city. The tun-
mel is to be connected by means OF elevators
with the elevated railroads on both sides OF this
city, and ultimately, no doubt, with the rapid
transit tunnel under Broadway.
While New-York is preparing to spend $780,
100000 or upward 10 provide n system Of rapid
transit to the northern part OF the city, the OPP
portunity is offered Of securing rapid transit to
the eastward without the expenditure of dol
lar. All the city is asked to do Is to give It's
consent to the building Of tunnel seventy-hye
or eighty feet down In the ground without In
terrerirg with existing rights or constructions
of any kind. Moreover, as we understand the
franchise asked for by the tunnel company will
have TO be sold at public sale to the bidder Of
ferng to pay the largest percentage Of receipts
into the city treasury. Ii Is we confess, hard
TO see any objection to this project. which is
clearly in the interest Of the public. The tunnel
scheme is in no sense rival to the large rapid
transit scheme to which New York is commit
ted. The greater city needs them both; 1t will
need every possible means Of transit that can
be supplied by underground roads, deep tunnels
and bridges. The general welfare demands
that the applications made by the tunnel COM
pany to the city authorities of New-York and
Brooklyn should be acted on promptly and IA
voraby.