New-York tribune., 1899-12-29
TINE FOR CONSTRUCTIVE WORK.
conceived.

r,ho Board NJ Aldermen IS a success as Dod!
% obstruction and sometimes ii oDstruc's 10
ood nurnose II has done so In holding up 'ne
Movora yasteful scheme to build an uhheco9
sorv bridge 10 develop the vacant real es'9''
. tbo Roroupb of Queens. 1t does not 10"
saem az II that project could be pushed 'hfousn
hofore +be end of the year. and the delay WHICH,
must result before It can be taken up ane"
-. or,o-tunitv for discussion. The more
Tho question is debated OF spending Sl3'ooo'oVo
,or his bridge. when a tunnel answering all
nrosnectiye needs in that quarter Tor man!
wears TO come could be Dulll lor |-'''O'''
less defensible does it become
rho Novors plan was never so strong as
,,ho, ba first promulgated it. The Controllers
ohioctions have seriously riddled policy which,
without inquiry into details, almost everyDou!
.o. ,rc,,rod to look on with favor, on the gen
eral principle that improved transit Is desiraoie
in all sections Of the city. But the Controhei
has shown that the two bridges which the
I,oror fovors at a cost Of 100000 would serl-
o,sIv ,mnair the borrowing power OF the CITY,
oorhens interfere with the completion OF the
ranid transit tunnel so long needed III thiS
ie,and and would serve the interest OF the pun
lie less than the interest of real estate sPecu'"
..a and roilrood managers with franchises
which they desire to SELL and then get the
benefit Of by using bridges constructed AT lhe
c,tv's EXPENSE. TO carry out the Mayors pan
requires the sacrifice OF the convenience Vi W,
largo nopulatlon in South Brooklyn, which could
ho accommodated, 10 the great reher oi 'he
preseDt Bridge. Ey double tunnel in p'acucai
a.,ors,or ~ the rapld transit tunnel In this
horouch costing about $3,O00,00O. Thus 80
100000 would open up two new lines oi com
r,un,catlon. while the Mayor wants to spehd
$4,000 600 for the same purpose. HappHF '"e
Aldermen have given us a respite from that
folly and extravaganza
Il, is now time for the Aldermen TO show their
constructive abilities in dealing win rap'u
transit problems. There is yet time If they VIII
move quickly before the year ends ahd a''"'u'
inc to the opinion OF the Corporation Counsel
all ncndlng measures before the munlclphl 'glN
loture die and can only be taken zip ~ new.
The applicaiion of the Long lslahu ha'I""u
Company for permission 10 undertake 'H' '""
s1ruction Of a tunnel putting all OF Long iSIlhn
in close connection with the heart oi uhs Guy
has been before the Municipal ASsrlhpl! lo'
many months Nobody comes forward 10 opp"Sc
Il Everybody comedies the work VIII DE- o'
oreat public benefit and no pubic expense
The franchise from the State under "h'h P'i
mission to operate is sought protects hH rgh'N
Of the city All the railroad company "SAS j
n chance 10 invest It's money In opening Nv"
avenue Of travel 10 Manhattan from Brooklyn
and Long Island. At time when thc Mayor
"a roody 10 invest S3O0OOOoO or the clt!
money for lust that purpose, and the 'oh'f"hel
fayors similar enterprises Of more ecoho'hlchI
and generally beneficial character. IT would
ecem as II all might agree To let railroad give
them for nothing what the city Is ready 40
spend its own money 70 get. The public bridges
or tunnels will be almost entirely occupied .!
railroad tracks Why should not one OF the ra''.
roods II II wants 10 save the public part oi
that expense. be permitted 10 do so:
The city legislators might secure forgiveness
for many past omissions II they would oeiore
Saturday night, make possible the construction
OF this tunnel.