New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-29
RAPID TRANSIT HEARING.
PLEADING FOR A ROUTE SOUTH OF THE
CITY HALL-NoRTHsIDERs APPROVE
THE COMMISSIONS PLAN

The Rapid Transit Commission gave public
hearing yesterday TO property-owners on the new
plan adopted several weeks ago for the underground
railroad There was a large number OF property
holders present especially from the section south OF
the City Hall. where the proposition to extend the
tunnel had been abandoned Among those who
spoke In favor of the building of the tunnel south
of the City Hall and the South Ferry loop were the
following: ]. Edward simmons representing the
Fourth National Bank and the Clearing House As
ISOLATION; ]. W. Alexander, of the Equitable Life
Assurance Society Spencer Trask of the Bowling
Green Building; Frank Brainard. ce-president OF
the Produce Exchange and President FREDERICK u
Bourne Of the Singer Manufacturing Company. All
Of these speakers contended that no system OF
rapid transit which did not take into consideration
the vast interests and property rights south of the
City Hail could be effective. Mr.. Simmons con-
tended that the hundreds Of millions OF real estate
south Of the City Hall would be prejudically af-
fected by any scheme of rapid transit which did not
give full and ample facilities for this most i'm
portant section. The speakers showed the vast ten
antry and commercial interest Of the downtown Sec
ton. which should be held 10 be paramount to any
other consideration in such a question, and all OF
them urged that the road be extended south OF the
City Hall to the South Ferry.
Among others who insisted that the road should
be built south of the City Hall George Croker.
Stephen Baker. r. r. Wilson. George Zabriskie.W
w. Sherman. John a. Stewart and II. w. Kennedy.
Of the Manhattan Life Company.
Tax Commissioner James l.. Wells spoke for the
North Side Board of Trade. saying that the North
6ders bid the Rapid Transit Commission god speed
In Its work. THE plan laid out. said Mr. We!s'
comes within the provisions laid down by the SUI
preme Court ! am glad that you have such abie
support from the southern end of Broadway, Tor
Understood that the chief objection against the old
plan made by Broadway people: Mr. Wells
added that the North Siders would do all in their
power TO aid the Commission in getting consents
from property-owners uptown.
Colonel Joseph a. Gouldcn spoke for the Tax
payers Alliance and assured the Commission that
Its plan the only proper solution OF the rapid
transit problem that mas been offered
The Rev. DIR. Spalding. of Bedford PARK. also APP
proved the plans. far as they applied 10 Inc An
nexed District. and W. w Niles spoke to the same
purpose. =,
President Orr of the Commission said that he
and his colleagues were pleased with the assur-
ances of support and goodwill on the part or the
property owners present. and that the commission
was most sincerely anxious TO give the city a per-
feet rapid-transit system. ~
The American Exchange National Bank, through
its president Dumont Clark. sent a letter urging
the extension of the tunnel south from city Han
10 the South Ferry. President Warner Van Nor
den OF the National Bank of North America sent
q letter similar In tenor. -
plan for a system of rapid transit for New
York City was submitted yesterday TO president
Orr by Henry a Bang. mechanical engineer, OF
No 11S Broadway. Mr.. Bang suggests TWO
routes both utilizing the suburban lines that now
Yun into the Grand Central Station. lie Is OPP
posed TO an underground road and wants cleo
trclty n motive power