New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-06
SLOW WORK on THE NEW BRIDGE.
BROOKLYN HAS NO MONEY. AND THE CON-
MISSION CAN ONLY WAIT.

With the best of wishes the part OF the Com
missioners, there Is a poor prospect that any sub
stantial progress will be made this year in the
struction Of the new East River bridge. The
trouble is that Brookyn's financial condition Is
such as TO prevent 1t from paying any large sum
toward It's share Of the cost What the total cost
will he is matter of guesswork. but the estimates
OF the chief engineer call for outlay in 1897 OF
Sc $50 for construction alone. Brooklyns share
would be S.51S000. But this estimate takes no ac-
count OF the large and unknown sums that will
have TO be spent in the purchase Of land on both
sides of the river
In New-York a strip $50 feet wide running from
the river Norfolk-st a distance OF sixteen
blocks, Is 10 be condemned besides the two blocks
required for approach 10 the bridge. In Brook
lyn the bridge VIII extend about blocks from
the waterfront and it is planned to have a large
plaza at the terminus Some OF the property to be
taken there is valuable especially the sugar ware
house near the river. Negotiations In reference 10
this have been going for some time. but the
sugar people and the Commissioners have not been
able 10 agree. There is a difference Of $4,000 In
their estimates OF the value OF the property and
some OF the bridge officials OF the opinion that
the offer OF s550.coO liberal. AS things now
look, condemnation proceedings Will be necessary
II begun. they will be certain 10 last long time
As all tho property to be acquired for the
bridge, the Commissioners are authorized 10 deal
directly with the owners, but IL is UNDERSTOOD mat
for their protection they will prefer generally
20 have the property condemned In the usual IegaI
| way A partial estimate Of the cost of what is
| needed in New-York has been made by examining
| the books in the Tax Department and making
allowance for the established relation between as
| sessed valuation and market value 1t showed that
an outlay OF about si5ooO0O would have TO be maze.
As the engineers estimate or the cost OF ConstTuC,
ton the theory that the bridge was 10 be
by the beginning OF 1900, $5lOCn II Is evident
| that the second connecting link between New
/ York and Brooklyn is likely 10 involve as large an
| expenditure the first one; and unless things
! move rapidly than at present. IL may take DIS
| long build IT, -, IT,, -,
In talking OF the situation in general the otner Gay
| a member o: the Bridge Commission SAID: les'. we
are very DESTROYS OF going on with the WORK as lds'
a. possible and don't Ike the idea or dong notn-
| ing while drawing salary from the city W KNOW
abiy they will blame us for not going ahead with H.
| All we can do however. is TO make requistlons on
/ the two cities for the MONEY We need. ana u ue
officials who the purse strings IN thelr manu-
fail TO supply il arc poweress. we nave nldGe Z
| contract for the foundation for the New pin
tower and work the caisson Is In progress ~ ~
| that is all that is being Gore AT presehi, IN
BROOKLYN will be able TO do much for the prldge NE
! wear is dubious-eXtremely so lEe az S ~
! seems 10 be put the matter ofl uIttI dilct Io'
/ soIii3tion takes effect. and then the. city as a
| whole will have 10 furnish tho money II tne oiiN7'
I Is built . .,o ,ocaesitv for closer
! Connection between Brooklyn and New 1ork , ous
rension bridges are very costly. but We mus
have such bridges tunnels II Is certain Inat ~,
idea Of dra wbrdges. such as have oeen probVsviI
| Albany will never meet WIKI faVor II IL rluiSN'''
| 10 think Of such thing