New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-09
IN FAVOR OF MORE BRIDGES.
COMMISSIONER SHEA TALKS ABOUT HIS
POLICY.
HE WANTS TO DEVELOP THE PRESENT BRIDGE
AS MUCH As POSSIBLE. AND BELIEVES IN
BUILDING AN AIL~RAILRoAD STRUCTURE
WITHOUT DELAY - ACCOMMODATION
FOR BICYcILsTs NECESSARY.
HE SAYS.

WITHOUT DELAY ACCOMMODATION
FOR BIcYcIIsTs NECESSARY.
II "a the hope Of the new Commissioner OF
BRIDGES John L. Shea that the means OF commun'-
cation across the various streams in the five Dor
oughs comprising the greater city VIII De WATERWAY
improved In the next few years. NO one hereaoou's
needs TO be told that the provision OF adoi''ona'
links between Manhattan and Brooklyn Will be the
most important subject TO demand Commssiohe'
shea's attention after the development or the ex-
isting bridge 10 its greatest possible capacity Is
assured
As Brooklyn man. Mr.. Shea Is deeply Interested
not only In the New-York and BrookNn p1'use'
but also in plans for bridges TO De Du!it III ING
future With the new East River Bridge the COM
missioner OF Bridges has nothing TO do at present.
but II the plans of the Commission having ch"ise
of its construction are carried out inns otluse
will be turned over TO the ard custody OF MI
Shea long before his six years term has expired
Regarding the development OF the present b''use
Commissioner Shea Is fully in sympathy with the
plans decided by the late Board OF trustees. so
far as they are compatible with the safety OF 1907
messengers In particular. he declares MS in'eh-
ton of doing all ne 10 hasten the running OF
both trolley and elevated cars across the river,
believing that nothing more 10 tho advantage OF
Brooklyn can occur than the establishing o. cAose
connection between i; and the business pax. Vi
Manhattan. Speaking OF his policy In THIS matter.
Commissioner SAID last "Sek.H III INC S""''o Va
a conversation with a representative OF The
Tribune:
Yes am heartily IN favor OF running the cars
across the East River, and believe that the great
majority Of the people Of Brooklyn are likewise IN
favor OF that policy. do not see now any oHo
can take any other view Of the matter Except
for the construction OF the Bridge Itself. TINS seems
70 me TO be the greatest benefit that can happen 10
Brooklyn or course. have not had time TO looH
into the subject thoroughly yet. but feel srro
that the talk about danger at the terminal AT 'his
end 10 people entering the Bridge to walk across
q &c greatly exargerated l relieve that we have
engineering talent enough 10 de".se ways OK pre-
venting danger TO every one
NO DANGER TO FOOT PASSENGERS.
.It has been proposed that by having gates at
The terminal and BY closing them Cor the short
time OF thirteen seconds. the cars in groups OF
four can be run from side Of the Bridge 10 the
other without causing any serious inconvenience
10 foot passengers. But In addition TO that. II VIII
not be necessary for people TO so on the Bridge
that way If they want TO walk over H. The stair
ways near Park Row will be widened. and pedcs-
TRANS can avoid the tracks on the ground moor
altogether by simply going up one fight OF stairs
10 the gallery Of the station and this gallery Will
be extended so that they walk right through
on that level and come out on the promenade
at IS my opinion also that after the cars are
once running the number o: people walking over
the Bridge will be greatly reduced under ordi-
nary circumstances that the total VIII be small IL
Is an undoubted fact that good number or work
crs In Manhattan walk across the bridge
every night and morning. unless it Is stormy. Tor
the sake Of saving the FIVE cents carfa:e. and rice
on a trolley or elevated car in brooklyn TO and
from their homes. Evidence of this Is found III
the increased travel In the Bridge railroad cars
in the rush hours whenever 1t storms. Now, II
these people can take car az this end and rde 10
their homes for five cents. what .nducement viii
there De for them to walk? 1t stands to reason
tina. they will ride. and the number OF those
making use Of the promenade Will be materially
cut down
las for the trolley-cars obstructing tranic on
the Bridge my opinion Is that they VIII cause little
DELAY to trucks which will simply keep in single
ne on the outside Of the roadways Few II any.
trucks Will be driven back 10 the ferries. where
they havo 70 pay Tor crossing the river II
Is possible. of course, that few people driving
spirited horses may be kept off the Bridge by the
running Of the cars. but the number OF people IN
BROOKLYN owning private carriages is surprisingly
small ard this factor in The problem is scarcely
worth considering The right way TO look at this
matter In my judgment. is to consider the greatest
good OF the greatest number. and II that Is done
every fair-minded person must reach the conciu-
sion that the running Of the cars across the river
will he public Improvement OF vast importance
/ sincerely hope that 10 further obstacles will be
put In the way OF the trolley companies. and hope
10 see the in regular operation on the Bridge
In two weeks a little more.
AN ALL-RAILROAD BRIDGE FAVORED.
When asked for his views in reference to the all
railroad bridge which has been proposed in bill
fathered by Assemblyman Brennan. Comm!ss !oner
Shea expressed himself strongly favoring 1t.
He said:
.By all means we ought TO have bridge OF that
character or at least a bridge for the accommo-
dalton Of elevated and roley-cars on a large
scale have not had time TO examine the subject
with care but am told that railroad bridge can
be built FOR about $4,000. while II 1t were con-
struc,ed to accommodate all classes OF trsfc the
cost would be fully s. 10000 more. 1t has been
demonstrated by our experience Of the last fifteen
years that the great majority Of people travelling
between brooklyn and New York. or l suppose
river. ana csnnot see why ii would be necessary
add 70 per cent TO the cost OF the new structure
for the accommodation Of the few VINO wish to
drive or wall. across. There il one important ex-
cepton 10 be made and that IS IN favor Of the
wheelmen. The expense Of providing path for
bicyclists on the ail-railroad bridge would be
email. and that is something that ought by all
a. yS ?f Mq Of hsyn Sas s: ys path on
THAT" he said in reply lis mater 10 which
have not beeen able TO give any consideration
have been proposed, but the difficulty seems to be
the lack Of proper terminal facilities for ne struGt.
by any means. That fact must be plain 70 every
one who uses the Bridge Before saving anything .
II It is found Practicable provide such PAIN.
recognize that the riders Of bicycles constitute an
.mportant portion Of the community, ard have
rights that should be considered b. public officials
in charge Of streets and bridges. II is easy 10 see
that with the trucks and other vehicles that use the
Bridge and the large number OF cars that We nope
soon 20 see running. the whtelmen will not have
fair show on the roadwayB, and they ought not to
be compelled TO wait several years for the com
pletion Of the proposed new bridge before accom-
modaticns provided for them"
-FOUR DEPUTIES APPOINTED.
For the present the headquarters of Mr.. sheas
department are in ill-lighted room tho second
floor Of the Stewart Building. lie hopes IN few
days however, TO have suitable apartments the
fourth floor where number OF rooms have been
selected for the purpose. lie has appointed four
fnr C.,o tkor,